Low Stakes Blackjack Las Vegas
Recommended Books on Moving Up from Low Stakes Blackjack. For more information on getting away with winning as you move from low stakes to mid-level stakes, see Arnold Snyder's Blackbelt in Blackjack, Rick Blaine's Blackjack Blueprint: How to Play Like a Pro. Part-Time, and Ian Andersen's Burning the Tables in Las Vegas. Answer 1 of 9: My friends and I like to talk a lot of crap about each other's blackjack strategies. I was hoping I could find a low level blackjack tournament that we could all play in when we're there December 14-18th. The Cromwell used to have a. El Cortez offers the best blackjack game in downtown Las Vegas. It is a single deck that pays 3:2 on a blackjack. Players can double down on any two cards and the dealer hits soft 17. The minimum bet is. Answer 1 of 8: When ever I am in Las Vegas I find the $5 and $10 minimum Blackjack Tables to be completely full. I wait and wait but the gamblers at these low stakes tables rarely leave the table. The dealer at the $25 minimum table, near by, just stands there all. Free Bet Blackjack Tables – Low Stakes There are three tables at the Venetian that offer Free Bet Blackjack and all are played with 6 to 8 deck shoes. Standard free bet rules apply, i.e. Dealer’s 22 is considered a push, and you can split and double down without risking your money.
The blackjack in downtown Las Vegas tends to be better than on the Strip for low limit players. The percentage of 6-5 tables is much lower, with several houses offering no such game at all. High limit players may want to play elsewhere as there are no stand on all 17 tables located anywhere near Fremont Street.
Downtown Las Vegas Blackjack
Downtown Blackjack Casinos
4 Queens
4 Queens does not offer much in the way of quality blackjack. There are only three tables that pay 3-2. Its best traditional game is a double deck with a $15 minimum. Double down before the split is allowed, but not afterward. There are two 3-2 carnival games. One has a house edge of over 4%. Blackjack Switch is spread with a $5 minimum bet.
Binion’s
Binion’s has the worst blackjack in all of downtown Las Vegas. The only 3-2 game on the floor is Zombie Blackjack, which has a rule that the dealer pushes on all 22s.
California
California has two 3-2 blackjack games. The minimum is $5. Both have the same rules. Players may double down before but not after splitting. One is a double deck. The other is a six-deck.
Downtown Grand
All blackjack at Downtown Grand pays 3-2. The $10 six-deck has double down before and after splitting, as well as surrender and re-split aces. The $5 version of this uses a continuous shuffle machine. There is also a $15 double deck with double down on any two and after splitting. The max bet in the double deck game is only $100.
El Cortez
El Cortez offers the best blackjack game downtown. It is a $5 single deck that permits double down on any two cards. There’s also a $5 double deck that adds double down after splitting.
Fremont
Fremont offers the typical downtown Boyd rules for its $5 double and six-deck games. Players may double down before but not after splitting.
Golden Gate
Golden Gate prides itself on paying 3-2 at all blackjack tables. The main floor has $5 six-deck games that allow double down before and after splitting. High limit offers a double deck with these same rules for $15 or $25, depending on the time of day. There’s also $10 Free Bet Blackjack.
Golden Nugget
Golden Nugget has the largest high limit salon in Las Vegas. Players will find $50 double and six-deck blackjack games in there that include double down before and after splitting. The six-deck adds surrender and re-split aces. The main floor has a $15 double-deck that doesn’t allow double down after splitting. There’s also a six-deck that doesn’t permit re-split aces. As with most real money blackjack online, all of their games pay 3-2 on a blackjack.
Main Street Station
The pit at Main Street Station is full of $5 3-2 double deck games. Players may double down before but not after splitting.
Plaza
Plaza has three 3-2 blackjack games. The minimum for the shoe games is typically $5 or $10. The double deck is $25. Both games permit double down before and after splitting. Plaza is one of only four Las Vegas casinos that spreads 3-2 Free Bet Blackjack.
The D
The D has several 3-2 blackjack games. There’s double deck that can have a minimum as low as $15 where players can double down before and after splitting. Peak hours will see a higher double deck blackjack minimum bet. The $10 six-deck games have these same rules. The D also spreads $10 Free Bet Blackjack with a 3-2 payout. The D is one of the last Las Vegas casinos with 3-2 video blackjack. That has a $5 minimum bet.
Downtown Las Vegas Blackjack Survey Log
The blackjack tables are constantly being updated at all Las Vegas Casinos. Whether they remove a game, add one or change the rules, these are all things that affect the house edge. That is why every year we update our survey. Below you will find the PDF for the previous years so you can compare the changes over time.
Complete Downtown Las Vegas Blackjack Survey
Casino | # of Decks | Min Bet | Max Bet | H/S 17 | DA | DAS | RSA | Surrender | # of Tables | 6/5 BJ | Video | Exotic | House Hold % |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
4 Queens | 2 | 10 | 500 | H | Yes | No | No | No | 1 | No | No | No | 0.60225% |
4 Queens | 6 | 5 | 500 | H | – | – | – | – | 2 | No | No | BJ Switch | 0.58000% |
4 Queens | 6 | 5 | 500 | H | Yes | Yes | No | No | 1 | No | No | Bonus Spin | 0.63873% |
4 Queens | 6 | 5 | 500 | H | Yes | Yes | No | No | 1 | No | No | Zombie | 0.63873% |
4 Queens | 8 | 5 | 500 | H | Yes | Yes | No | Yes | 13 | Yes | No | No | 1.92724% |
Binion’s | 1 | 10 | 500 | H | Yes | No | No | No | 1 | Yes | No | No | 1.69824% |
Binion’s | 6 | 3 | 200 | H | Yes | Yes | No | No | 2 | Yes | Yes | No | 1.99842% |
Binion’s | 6 | 5 | 500 | H | Yes | Yes | No | No | 1 | No | No | Zombie | 0.63873% |
Binion’s | 8 | 5 | 500 | H | Yes | Yes | No | No | 12 | Yes | No | No | 2.01881% |
California | 1 | 5 | 200 | H | Yes | No | No | No | 2 | Yes | No | No | 1.69824% |
California | 2 | 5 | 1000 | H | Yes | No | No | No | 14 | No | No | No | 0.60225% |
California | 6 | 5 | 200 | H | Yes | No | No | No | 1 | No | No | No | 0.78327% |
California | 6 | 3 | 200 | H | Yes | No | No | No | 1 | Yes | No | No | 2.14296% |
Downtown Grand | 2 | 15 | 100 | H | Yes | Yes | No | No | 2 | No | No | No | 0.45688% |
Downtown Grand | 6 | 10 | 1000 | H | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | 5 | No | No | No | 0.48263% |
Downtown Grand | 6 | 5 | 500 | H | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | 1 | No | No | No | 0.48263% |
El Cortez | 1 | 5 | 1000 | H | Yes | No | No | No | 6 | No | No | No | 0.30346% |
El Cortez | 1 | 25 | 2000 | H | Yes | No | No | No | 1 | No | No | No | 0.30346% |
El Cortez | 2 | 5 | 1000 | H | Yes | Yes | No | No | 6 | No | No | No | 0.45688% |
El Cortez | 6 | 5 | 500 | H | Yes | Yes | No | No | 2 | No | No | No | 0.63873% |
Fremont | 1 | 10 | 500 | H | Yes | No | No | No | 1 | Yes | No | No | 1.69824% |
Fremont | 1 | 10 | 200 | H | – | No | No | No | 1 | Yes | No | Super Fun 21 | 1.54654% |
Fremont | 2 | 5 | 200 | H | Yes | No | No | No | 6 | No | No | No | 0.60225% |
Fremont | 6 | 5 | 500 | H | Yes | No | No | No | 4 | No | No | No | 0.78327% |
Fremont | 6 | 3 | 200 | H | Yes | No | No | No | 4 | Yes | No | No | 2.14296% |
Fremont | 6 | 3 | 200 | H | Yes | No | No | No | 1 | Yes | No | Kings Bounty | 2.14296% |
Fremont | 6 | 10 | 200 | H | Yes | No | Yes | Yes | 1 | Yes | No | Super Fun 21 | 1.98680% |
Golden Gate | 2 | 15 | 5000 | H | Yes | Yes | No | No | 2 | No | No | No | 0.45688% |
Golden Gate | 6 | 10 | 1000 | H | – | – | – | – | 2 | No | No | Free Bet | 1.02000% |
Golden Gate | 6 | 5 | 2500 | H | Yes | Yes | No | No | 12 | No | No | No | 0.63873% |
Golden Nugget | 1 | 10 | 1000 | H | – | – | – | – | 1 | Yes | No | Free Bet | 1.96000% |
Golden Nugget | 1 | 10 | 1000 | H | Yes | No | No | No | 2 | Yes | No | No | 1.69824% |
Golden Nugget | 1 | 10 | 1000 | H | – | – | – | – | 1 | – | No | Super Fun 21 | 1.16000% |
Golden Nugget | 2 | 10 | 2500 | H | Yes | No | No | No | 4 | No | No | No | 0.60225% |
Golden Nugget | 2 | 25 | 5000 | H | Yes | Yes | No | No | 3 | No | No | No | 0.45688% |
Golden Nugget | 4 | 5 | 1000 | H | Yes | Yes | No | Yes | 4 | Yes | No | Bonus Spin | 5.50000% |
Golden Nugget | 6 | 5 | 1000 | H | Yes | Yes | No | No | 4 | Yes | No | Bonus Spin | 1.99842% |
Golden Nugget | 6 | 10 | 1000 | H | – | – | – | – | 1 | No | No | Free Bet | 1.02000% |
Golden Nugget | 6 | 10 | 2500 | H | Yes | Yes | No | Yes | 6 | No | No | No | 0.55051% |
Golden Nugget | 6 | 25 | 5000 | H | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | 3 | No | No | No | 0.48263% |
Golden Nugget | 6 | 10 | 1000 | H | Yes | Yes | No | No | 3 | Yes | No | No | 1.99842% |
Golden Nugget (Pool) | 6 | 10 | 2500 | H | Yes | Yes | Yes | No | 4 | Yes | No | No | 1.93054% |
Golden Nugget (RL) | 6 | 10 | 2500 | H | Yes | Yes | Yes | No | 1 | No | No | No | 0.57085% |
Golden Nugget (RL) | 6 | 10 | 1000 | H | Yes | Yes | Yes | No | 1 | Yes | No | No | 1.93054% |
Main Street Station | 1 | 5 | 200 | H | Yes | No | No | No | 1 | Yes | No | No | 1.69824% |
Main Street Station | 1 | 5 | 500 | H | – | – | – | – | 1 | – | No | Super Fun 21 | 1.16000% |
Main Street Station | 2 | 5 | 1000 | H | Yes | No | No | No | 9 | No | No | No | 0.60225% |
Plaza | 2 | 25 | 1000 | H | Yes | Yes | No | No | 1 | No | No | No | 0.45688% |
Plaza | 6 | 5 | 1000 | H | – | – | – | – | 1 | No | No | Most Liberal 21 | 1.33000% |
Plaza | 6 | 5 | 1000 | H | Yes | Yes | No | No | 8 | No | No | No | 0.63873% |
Plaza | 6 | 5 | 1000 | H | Yes | Yes | No | No | 1 | No | No | Free Bet | 0.63873% |
Plaza | 6 | 5 | 1000 | H | Yes | Yes | No | No | 1 | Yes | No | Bonus Spin | 1.99842% |
Plaza | 6 | 5 | 1000 | H | Yes | Yes | No | No | 1 | No | No | Buster Blackjack | 0.63873% |
The D | 2 | 10 | 1000 | H | – | – | – | No | 2 | No | No | Free Bet | 0.98000% |
The D | 2 | 15 | 5000 | H | Yes | Yes | No | No | 2 | No | No | No | 0.45688% |
The D | 2 | 10 | 1000 | H | – | – | – | No | 2 | – | No | Super Fun 21 | 1.30000% |
The D | 8 | 10 | 2500 | H | Yes | Yes | No | No | 10 | No | No | No | 0.64493% |
The D | 8 | 5 | 475 | H | Yes | Yes | No | No | 1 | No | Yes | No | 0.64493% |
The D | 8 | 10 | 2500 | H | Yes | Yes | Yes | No | 2 | No | – | Buster Blackjack | 0.45773% |
The quality of blackjack games in Las Vegas has declined over the past 15-20 years. The availability of strategy information over the internet has forced casinos to drop some of the more liberal rules. Casinos first started hitting on soft 17. Some stopped offering surrender or re-splitting aces in shoe games.
The biggest rule change that goes against players was rolled out first at single deck games. This terrible rule started paying players 6:5 on a blackjack, as opposed to 3:2. This means that a $10 blackjack would pay $12 instead of $15. Once the casinos got away with this at single deck games, the 6:5 rule started infecting double deck and shoe games. Most single deck blackjack tables have disappeared from the Las Vegas Strip because of this. A 6:5 payout on a blackjack adds 1.39% to the house edge.
While some Las Vegas casinos offer terrible rules on blackjack these days, there are still several places where a good game may be found. Some are even on the Las Vegas Strip, although some of the better ones are located downtown and in the locals market. All of the games mentioned below pay 3:2 on a blackjack.
Best Las Vegas Strip Blackjack
The Strat is the best Las Vegas Strip casino for blackjack. It offers $5 3:2 blackjack during the day that goes to $10 during busier hours. These shoe games offer double down before and after splitting with surrender and re-split aces. A double deck with double down before and after splitting starts at $15. These games hit soft 17.
A $100 six-deck table in high limit has the same rules as the $5 game but stands on soft 17. This game may require reservations with a host to ensure it is open.
Treasure Island is another great Las Vegas Strip casino for blackjack. Players will find $10 games with great rules at Treasure Island. The shoe games offer surrender, re-split aces, and double down after splitting. These tables start at $10. Double deck starts at $15. Those tables allow double down after splitting. These low limit games hit soft 17.
Players willing to bet $50 can move to the high limit salon. They will get a shoe game with double down after splitting, re-split aces, and surrender. The high limit double deck starts at $50 and allows double down after splitting. The dealer stands on all 17’s at both games. The high limit salon is only open on weekend nights.
Low Stakes Blackjack Las Vegas
Sahara spreads good $15 3:2 blackjack. Players can double down on any two cards and after splitting in the blackjack pit at Sahara. The dealer hits soft 17. This game is offered in the high limit salon for $50 where the dealer stands on all 17’s. This game adds surrender and re-split aces to the rules.
Caesars properties that spread 3:2 blackjack under $25. Bally’s, The Cromwell, Paris and Rio deal $10 or $15 3:2 eight-deck blackjack during slower hours. This game allows double down after splitting and surrender. The Cromwell and Rio also have $15 3:2 double deck game. Double down before but not after splitting is allowed. Otherwise, all other Caesars Entertainment 3:2 blackjack tables start at $25. It takes $100 to get a stand on all 17 game.
Best Downtown Las Vegas Blackjack
El Cortez offers the best blackjack game in downtown Las Vegas. It is a single deck that pays 3:2 on a blackjack. Players can double down on any two cards and the dealer hits soft 17. The minimum bet is usually $10. Be careful in this game as the pit bosses will sweat large action or bet spreads. El Cortez also has $10 double deck and six-deck games for $10. These tables allow double down before and after splitting.
Downtown Grand offers the best shoe games downtown. For a $5 minimum, players can double down after splitting, re-split aces and surrender. The double deck game with double down before and after splitting starts at $10. Low rollers will find an even money $1 blackjack table at Downtown Grand. The pit is open Thursday through Sunday.
Circa, The D and Golden Gate only offer 3:2 blackjack. The minimum bet is typically $10 or $15 at The D and Golden Gate and $15 or $25 at Circa. There is also a $100 stand on all 17 six-deck game in the high limit salon at Circa. Double down before and after splitting is available at these casinos.
All regular blackjacks pay 3:2 at Plaza. Plaza deals a $5 or $10 six-deck game with double down before and after splitting. The double deck game gas the same rules. It has a $25 minimum bet.
Best Las Vegas Locals Blackjack
The competition in the off-strip blackjack market is fierce. Players will be able to find shoe games that start at $5 where double down after splitting, surrender and re-split aces are allowed at Cannery andEllis Island.
Blackjack Vegas World
Aliante and Station Casinos have $5 or $10 3:2 blackjack games with surrender but not re-split aces. Club Fortune, Silverton and Tuscany have re-split aces instead of surrender for $10. South Point has $5 3:2 six-deck tables with double down before and after splitting. A $3 table with a continuous shuffle machine at Jerry’s Nugget has the same rules.
Station Casinos properties offer double deck blackjack where players can double down after splitting. It is $5 at Boulder Station and Santa Fe Station and $10 at the others. M Resort offers the same game with a $15 minimum. The dealer hits soft 17. Suncoast, The Orleans, Gold Coast, South Point and Silverton also spread this game. The minimum bet is usually $10 at these tables. A $5 version of this game is dealt at Jerry’s Nugget.
Las Vegas Blackjack Free Online
Some locals casinos have a high limit salon with stand on all 17 blackjack tables. M Resort has a $50 minimum with double down before and after splitting, surrender and re-split aces. Green Valley Ranch, Palace Station, Red Rock and Rio have the game for $100 with surrender but no re-split aces.