The best Las Vegas blackjack games tend to be away from the tourist corridor, so it may require a drive or rideshare trip. The exception is a few high-limit games on the Strip. These often require $50 or more per hand to play, while some of the other top blackjack tables are found in the locals market and start at a $5 minimum bet. The best blackjack games in Las Vegas casinos tend to be double deck. The best is at M Resort. It has a $50 minimum bet and stands on all 17s. Players may double down on any two cards and after splitting. This game also permits re-split aces. There are several casinos on the Las Vegas Strip that offer this game without re-split aces.
In fact, downtown Las Vegas casinos have almost as many good blackjack games in less than half the casinos as the Vegas Strip. $25 blackjack players are high rollers and can often play the same games but in semi-private rooms. Best Downtown Las Vegas Blackjack Games. The annual Las Vegas blackjack survey was recently released. Not only is the.
High Limit Blackjack in Vegas -- Whales Only Please
High limit blackjack is exclusive for the high players, the whales. Jacks or better strategy. When it comes to casinos, there are those who are referred to as the whales, the whales play in the high limit areas. These areas are exclusive for those devoted and enthusiastic players who want to play big and definitely large.
When it comes to betting for the casino whales, it is as simple as breathing: $10,000 here, $20,000 there - it's all pocket change to them. The casino credit for these players stretches from six digits and beyond that. Therefore, when the whales come to Vegas to play blackjack, they are in for betting the big way, regardless of how the dice or cards fall.
Best Blackjack Las Vegas Strip
Casino executives love these guys because they care less about the low-rollers whether it's a win or lose; it's the whales that make it capable for them to pay for the new hotel towers, new spas and nightclubs.
Best Blackjack Las Vegas Casinos
However, for the determined stalwart player, it is spectacular to watch the whales play. Almost all casino players are attracted to how the whales play, because deep inside, every gambler wants the money and the courage to bet it without second-guessing.
Having said this, below are the best high-limit blackjack spots in Vegas.
Red Rock Casino
The Red Rock Casino is a high limit room where you can play blackjack amongst other games. $100 is the table minimum. The pit bosses and dealers encourage people to come watch the whales play. The drinks are only free for the players. It has great Swarovski Chandeliers with an in-room bar that provides a stunning scene.
Palazzo Las Vegas
This casino has the most number of celebrities and it is relatively easy to bump into one of them. $200 is the table minimum. It has a beautiful bar in the middle of the room that has a floor-to- ceiling approach. This is the best place to enjoy a good game as you watch the whales play it big.
Cognac is expensive for most people, but this bar has the priciest of it while serving small portions of different finger foods to the players. There is a Chinese restaurant nearby for those who love and enjoy Chinese food.
Luxor Las Vegas Casino
The Luxor Casino is discrete and sophisticated high limit area with a comfortable lounge and restricted station for serving cocktails. The minimum table limit for the High bar room is $100. The pit bosses limit the interaction between the onlookers and the players. This may be a good spot for someone who loves playing without the cheering from other people. The players are given all the assistance and attention to make them feel comfortable and at ease.
MGM Grand
The name of the high limit room in this casino is called The Mansion. The table minimum is $100-$500. Of all the high limit rooms in Vegas, this is the most glamorous of them all. It can be described as having a casino within a casino. It has different restaurants, a bar in the lounge and en executive entrance specifically for welcoming arriving players from the airport. However the Mansion is nearly open for the public, but there are private rooms located within the casino. The bets can go as high as $75,000, and for the high limit players this is nothing but pocket change.
Aria
Carta Privada is the name of the high limit room where the table minimum is $100. It has three VIP areas which are spacious enough and have great architecture. The drinks are only free for players; there are leather couches and plush chairs for spectators. There are many tables for playing blackjack and it's suitable for anyone willing to throw down $500.
Many towns and states across America offer blackjack. However, few blackjack destinations are more notable than Atlantic City and Las Vegas.
These two iconic gambling towns both have plenty of tables for you to enjoy. But how do they compare to each other in terms of blackjack?
I'm going to cover how Vegas and Atlantic City differ from each other regarding blackjack rules, casinos, card counting, and blackjack variations.
Slight Rule Variations
At first glance, Las Vegas and Atlantic City feature nearly identical rules. However, they do have slight discrepancies in this category.
I'll start by going over the common Vegas Strip game:
- 4 decks
- Natural blackjack pays 6:5; but it can also pay 3:2
- Dealer stands on soft 17
- Dealer peaks for a natural with a 10 or ace upcard
- You can double down on any two cards
- You can double down after splitting (DAS)
- Split your hand up to three times (4 total hands)
- Split aces once
- You only receive one card after splitting aces
Again, Atlantic City rules are almost exactly the same as what's featured on the Vegas Strip (and beyond). However, AC does have the following rule exceptions:
Both games can give you a solid chance to win. The main question involves if you're being paid 3:2 or 6:5 on blackjacks.
A 3:2 payout lowers the house edge by 1.39% in comparison to 6:5. Given that this rule varies in both Sin City and AC, I see no major differences in the rules between the two.
Best Blackjack Las Vegas
Verdict: Atlantic City and Vegas tie on the standard rules
Vegas Features Far More Casinos
The Vegas Strip game is merely a standard set of rules found at many casinos throughout Sin City. However, it by no means encompasses the entire town.
Certain casinos located downtown and on the Boulder Strip feature some of the world's best blackjack rules. They offer single-deck tables with 3:2 natural payouts and other player-friendly rules.
Such games are only possible due to Las Vegas' immense selection of casinos. Sin City features 136 gambling venues at the time of this writing.
You may find Vegas Strip rules at the majority of the town's casinos. However, you can also locate a few exceptions that offer blackjack house edges lower than 0.5%.
Atlantic City features nine casinos—10 when counting Bally's and Wild Wild West as separate entities. Each of these establishments is a large resort that caters to many tourists.
In contrast, some of Vegas' 136 casinos are smaller venues that serve locals. In short, Atlantic City feels bigger than just 10 casinos.
The problem, though, is that AC doesn't have the top-to-bottom variety in terms of blackjack. Most of its casinos feature standard Atlantic City rules.
This town doesn't have the small locals establishments that offer incredible blackjack rules. You'll miss this variety if you're looking for the absolute-best chance to win.
Verdict: Vegas offers numerous blackjack casinos
Atlantic City Can't Ban Card Counters
Casinos have never welcomed card counters with open arms. Almost every gambling jurisdiction lets casinos kick out advantage players.
Atlantic City is the one gaming destination, though, that doesn't allow casinos to do this. Based on a ruling in Uston v. Resorts International, AC casinos can't discriminate against skilled gamblers.
Of course, this law doesn't prevent gambling establishments from changing the rules (i.e. 8 decks & 6:5 payouts) or asking the dealer to shuffle more often (reduces deck penetration). In theory, though, it makes Atlantic City the perfect card counting destination under the right rules.
You can still find great tables to count cards at thanks to the sheer variety alone. But you will be booted if you're caught.
Verdict: Atlantic City is, theoretically, the best destination for counting cards
Sin City Offers Some of the Best Blackjack Games Anywhere
Again, the average game between Las Vegas and Atlantic City isn't much different regarding rules. However, Vegas has the rarest-and-best games.
El Cortez is a perfect example. Located in downtown, it features a single deck, 3:2 payouts, and other favorable rules that create a 0.34% house edge.
You can't do any better than this at online casinos! Other venues, such as Silverton, have similar rules and house advantages ranging between 0.4% and 0.5%.
Atlantic City features the occasional table with a 0.5% house edge. But you normally need to wager $50 or more to play in these games.
The average table features eight decks and other house-friendly rules. And while these games don't differ much from the Vegas Strip, they can't compete with the Sin City locals casinos.
Verdict: Las Vegas features the best blackjack odds
Vegas Also Has More Blackjack Variations
Las Vegas is king when it comes to different variations of blackjack. It features Blackjack Switch, Double Attack, double deck, pontoon, progressive, single deck, Spanish 21, and Vegas Strip rules.
These are only the variations that I've personally found. Therefore, Vegas probably offers nearly a dozen more variants beyond what's mentioned here.
Atlantic City mostly sticks to the rules covered before. You're looking at standard six- or eight-deck tables with either 3:2 or 6:5 payouts and (possibly) late surrender.
I've seen Blackjack Switch, Double Attack, and double deck games featured here. By and large, though, AC is sorely lacking when it comes to variations.
Verdict: Sin City easily wins in this category
The Average Atlantic City Casino Is Classier
Sin City offers the finest penthouses, hottest nightclubs, best restaurants, and most-impressive amenities out of any gambling destination.
However, it also has plenty of low-rent dives that look like they haven't been updated since the Welcome to Fabulous Las Vegas sign was put up. In short, you get the best of the best and lowest of the low here.
You don't need to worry about roach motels during AC blackjack trips. Instead, all of these casinos serve tourists and try to remain in tip-top shape. You'll appreciate this opulence when you're away from the blackjack tables.
Verdict: All Atlantic City casinos offer solid amenities beyond blackjack
Overall Verdict on Vegas vs. Atlantic City Blackjack
Before starting this post, I fully knew that Las Vegas was going to take the crown for the top blackjack destination.
It has far more casinos and tables than Atlantic City. Sin City also features blackjack house edges ranging from 0.34% to 0.5% at certain establishments.
The average Atlantic City casino compares well with the average Vegas joint in terms of rules. AC, however, doesn't offer the aforementioned locals casinos with amazing blackjack odds.
But Atlantic City also has its positives regarding blackjack. First off, you'll be playing in style no matter where you go. This town doesn't have any true dive casinos like Vegas does.
It also prevents gambling establishments from banning you just because you're counting cards. AC is the only major gaming destination with this card-counter-friendly law in place.
Looking at everything as a whole, I have to give Las Vegas the edge when it comes to playing blackjack. However, I'm more impressed with Atlantic City's blackjack scene than I expected to be.
Conclusion
Atlantic City mostly sticks to the rules covered before. You're looking at standard six- or eight-deck tables with either 3:2 or 6:5 payouts and (possibly) late surrender.
I've seen Blackjack Switch, Double Attack, and double deck games featured here. By and large, though, AC is sorely lacking when it comes to variations.
Verdict: Sin City easily wins in this category
The Average Atlantic City Casino Is Classier
Sin City offers the finest penthouses, hottest nightclubs, best restaurants, and most-impressive amenities out of any gambling destination.
However, it also has plenty of low-rent dives that look like they haven't been updated since the Welcome to Fabulous Las Vegas sign was put up. In short, you get the best of the best and lowest of the low here.
You don't need to worry about roach motels during AC blackjack trips. Instead, all of these casinos serve tourists and try to remain in tip-top shape. You'll appreciate this opulence when you're away from the blackjack tables.
Verdict: All Atlantic City casinos offer solid amenities beyond blackjack
Overall Verdict on Vegas vs. Atlantic City Blackjack
Before starting this post, I fully knew that Las Vegas was going to take the crown for the top blackjack destination.
It has far more casinos and tables than Atlantic City. Sin City also features blackjack house edges ranging from 0.34% to 0.5% at certain establishments.
The average Atlantic City casino compares well with the average Vegas joint in terms of rules. AC, however, doesn't offer the aforementioned locals casinos with amazing blackjack odds.
But Atlantic City also has its positives regarding blackjack. First off, you'll be playing in style no matter where you go. This town doesn't have any true dive casinos like Vegas does.
It also prevents gambling establishments from banning you just because you're counting cards. AC is the only major gaming destination with this card-counter-friendly law in place.
Looking at everything as a whole, I have to give Las Vegas the edge when it comes to playing blackjack. However, I'm more impressed with Atlantic City's blackjack scene than I expected to be.
Conclusion
Las Vegas boasts the best blackjack action anywhere. It showcases more variations and tables than Atlantic City or any other town for that matter.
If you're serious about finding the most-favorable blackjack odds, then you should visit Sin City. Vegas has the most to offer blackjack enthusiasts.
However, Atlantic City makes for a nice alternative if you can't make it to Sin City. This East Coast gambling hub offers plenty of tables and decent rules.
Assuming you're into advantage play, then you'll also appreciate the fact that AC casinos can't ban you for counting cards.
