I will be in Las Vegas 11/13-11/16 for a conference but like to play blackjack. I am trying to decide which hotel to stay at on or near the strip with the best current blackjack odds/tables. I usually start at $25 a hand. Thanks for any input.

Welcome to Talkvegas Doc. The last time I looked at Blackjack rules across the strip was in the good economy. I don't know if they slacked up or tightened their belts in the last month or two. At the time, the strip was not the place to be for blackjack.

As a general rule, the strip is not good for blackjack rules. There are no specific hotels on the strip that defy the big boys and cater to the gamblers. Most are not shy about paying 6/5 on a blackjack and that just turns me off in an instant. Other than that the best rules to search for is whether they hit or stand on a soft 17.

The worst odds you can get are the big name casinos, on the strip, on a weekend, during prime time. These are the casinos owned by the companies that own several casinos at once. They usually have the nicer rooms.

The best odds are generally at the one owner casinos, mid week, during the day and located off the strip or at least away from the big tourist attractions. These will also have lesser quality rooms in general.

Downtown would be your be bet, though it's not that close to the strip in a tourist sense. If you stayed near Bills or Ballys, you would be close to Ellis Island, O'sheas, Gold Coast, and other lesser casinos that are more likely to be relax the rules in bad times.

Thanks again.

playing green use to get you in most high limit rooms which would get you the best bj rules,even on the strip.will,you are the blackjack expert here,a little help for the doc?

Wow, the strip is a tough place to find the good rules!
It used to be, $25 a hand was something, but that won't get you in any high roller pit on the strip anymore.
The last time I played of any time on the strip was Planet Hollywood in the high roller area upstairs, where the london club used to be. But to be honest it's been since July, and so much can change. They where paying blackjack properly back then.

Downtown, is the place for the more constant better rules, but be careful. It can depend on what table you sit at, what time of day, and what day! Golden Nugget usually has lower limits in the high roller area $25. But the pit ain't much to talk about.

Dag, I don't consider myself to be a BJ expert because everytime I play the game - I learn something new - such as - Some of the LV casinos are calling it a different game even though it looks the same to me.

But by calling it a different game- they are able to pay even money or 6 to 5 when you get a "21" on your first two cards - ANd that sure sounds like Blackjack to me.

My only advice is to avoid any and all casinos who offer anything less than 3 to 2 when you get a Blackjack even when playing a single deck.

And even more important, ask the Pit Boss where the real Blackjack tables are. The real ones pay 3 to 2 and nothing less. He'll do his best to get you to sit at tables who pay less by simply telling you that they offer "surrender", play with a deck and a half, comp you drinks every five minutes, etc, etc.

And all the while he's watching your eyes to see if you are stupid enough to believe what he's telling you.

Don't listen to these "shenanigans" and find a game where you're not treated like a sucker. And don't be shy when you tell him you're going elsewhere where the customers are treated like the original blackjack rules called for and not like a weekend sucker with a hole in his pocket.

Good luck at the tables, Doc. When you find a decent BJ game in any casino, please let us know. Those are the ones I want to give my business to.

And I hope you feel the same!

PS, Doc......

Can you do some of us a favor and simply observe how many of those players sitting at the BJ tables simply don't understand that they are supposed to receive $15 on a $10 bet when they get a "21" on their first two card?

It amazed me last month when the whole table got happily excited when the dealer paid them even money for a blackjack.

These new players simply don't know!

I called the Gaming Commission and after a very polite but somewhat long conversation, I ended it by suggesting that the authorities make every casino who does not pay 3 to 2 for a blackjack, state as such in big bold letters on the layout ..... THIS TABLE DOES NOT PAY 3 TO 2 WHEN PLAYERS GET A BLACKJACK.

One very polite office person explained that there was no room on the layout to post such an explanation and was somewhat adament about it until I stated that Chris Angel and the Luxor used the whole layout to inform the players in living color about his Magic Show that coming weekend.

Then I was politely asked to submit such a request in writing for possible consideration.

Another excuse was that I sat at that table without reading the "card" that explained the rules and payoffs.

I simply stated that I have been playing BJ for over 50 years and taught the game for the past 30 and never thought that it would be necessary to learn those rules once again. After all - it was evident to me that I was sitting at a Blackjack table.

But in today's Las Vegas - if it looks like a duck and squaks like a duck and waddles like a duck- IT DEFINITELY AIN'T NO DUCK!

And that duck ain't gonna pay ya time and a half.

Boy has Blackjack changed in Vegas. All I want is to stay at a hotel with a casino with a decent blackjack table(s) so I do not have to spend most of the trip looking up and down the strip or off strip or even downtown to find a decent game. I can get a better game at the local Indian casinos then at the MECA of Gambling. I am not into the shows or other crap they try to sell there. Well I will let you knoe if I find a decent table.
Thanks.

You'll find one, Doc. Most casinos don't mess around with $25 players.

Looking forward to hearing back from you and I do hope that you'll give us another opinion of the current status of BJ in Las Vegas.

Expect to see 6 to 5 and even money payoffs in most $5 to $10 games unless they've been hearing me complain enough and changed the game during my absence.

Strange to tell you this but the cheapest game on the Strip is the $2 (possibly $1) table at Slots O Fun next door to Circus Circus and even they don't mess with the players' blackjack payoffs.

Good luck, Doc

will, I heard Mark at the The Vegas Tourist talking about the gaming commission. They actually do have a very open policy about listening to EVERY complaint. They may smile and tell you no, but they will hear your case. The example used was a man who won $8.50 at The Orleans playing a quarter slot machine. He complained to the casino that he should have gotten his $8.50 plus his 25 cent investment. The casino directed him to the gaming commission. He went before the board and presented his case. They listened to his story and sent him away empty handed.

I've also heard stories about how different new games are introduced and it's much the same process.

The bottom line is that if you get your "ducks" lined up and have a solid case, you can get things done. As for someone like you are me that long for the good ole days and dream of the past, it becomes more difficult to make a case based on facts instead of emotions. Maybe if you think it through, draw it out, and look at it from all sides, you can come up with something that will work.

Good Luck

I just got this via e-mail, That Fitzgeralds downtown is offering $3 blackjack 24/7.

Now what are the rules????

Not bad if they pay $4.50 on a BJ for that $3 bet ........

But a few weeks ago I made a tour through the downtown casinos and if I'm not mistaken, the Fitz was one of the 6 to 5 payoff joints.

Will anyone be there soon to check this out? I'll have to apologize if I'm mistaken.

The Golden Gate had a $3 table and did still pay 3 - 2.

And while I'm at it, I've been going to the GG Casino for many many years and still stop by on each and every visit to have one of their great sandwiches at the little self service cafe in the back where they also serve great shrimp cocktails. No more at 99 cents (except under certain conditions) but still a bargain.

I recommended to Mr S. Wynn to have someone in his place check these sandwiches out and replace those that he serves in the sports book area but my advice was never taken.

I may get down there soon, maybe not. Last time I checked, the places with 3-2 advertisements had a disclaimer underneath. Only limited tables, limited times of day, etc. I may be mistaken, but I think the El Cortez is the only all 3-2, all the time.

Thanks, JMT! Henceforth, I am only giving my BJ business to those LV casinos who have some respect for their players!

We made a foray downtown today and while walking past the pit at Binions noticed a sign for $3 Blackjack, 24/7. We also saw cards at $5 tables saying that they paid 3/2. I was surprised....... We haven't been downtown for a very long time, so it was fun to see what had changed since our last trip. We hadn't been in the Golden Nugget for the two past owners reign, but enjoyed seeing the giant fish in the pool area aquarium tanks, and the decor, which had changed. Had lunch in the coffee shop and it was as good as ever. The Nugget was pretty crowded, but MSS, Fremont, Binions, and Las Vegas Club were almost empty. The California was busy. Fremont Street itself was pretty empty, and the kiosks had attendants that looked hungry when ever anyone came close.

Thanks, Tater. I've also noticed that the Nugget is usually crowded when the rest of downtown is relatively quiet. And I have yet to see any groups in the megatropolis thing down the street a bit. How do they manage to keep that place open?