Blackjack

I know this might sound like a stupid question, but here goes. When I look for a blackjack table I ALWAYS look for 3 to 2 and S17. These are easy to spot since they are written right on the table. But how do you know if the table allows RSA, DAS and any DR? I've been to Vegas 6 or 7 times but I do not remember seeing those rules expressly displayed at the tables. Maybe I didn't see it. I usually found out after trying to RSA or DAS and was informed by the dealer if it was allowed. Any help is appreciated.

Besides checking the BJ survey on this site before visiting the casino, you just have to ask the dealer. On very rare occasions I see the rules on a placard along with the table min/max bets. Beware though, the 3:2 / 6:5 isn't always printed right on the felt. Sometimes it's a small sign somewhere else on the table. I was fooled twice on my last trip sitting down at what looked like a normal shoe game at a strip casino, but turns out it payed 6:5. Of course both times I found this out by getting a blackjack and being paid in whites... ouch!

I just don't get it. 6:5 is inconvenient for dealers and no fun for anybody (yeah, the getting paid in whites is just a huge pain). Why are they intentionally kicking a beloved gambling pastime when it's down?

Might be better to ask the Floor but first look at the placard that is usually on your left: see if there is some fine print at the bottom. Best ofcourse is to have done your research in advance.

Now it may not make all that much difference but atleast you know what the situation is.

I've seen the placard where it states the table minimum/maximum but I guess I really never looked at the fine print to see if it says anything about DR or DAS. I've already done my homework on the casinos/tables with the lowest house edge...it looks like Bally's, Mirage, Bellagio and Caesars have pretty good tables which is good considering I'm staying close by at Harrahs.

Rule	Effect
Player may double on 9-11 only	-0.09%
Player may not resplit	-0.10%
Player may not double after splitting	-0.14%
Player may double on 10,11 only	-0.18%
Player may not split aces	-0.18%
Dealer hits on soft 17	-0.22%
Blackjack pays 6-5	-1.39%
Blackjacks pay 1 to 1	-2.27%
2 deck	-0.37%
4 decks	-0.55%
6 decks	-0.61%
8 decks	-0.64%

Often times the placard doesn't say. The green felt will always say if a dealer hits on a soft 17. Sometimes on the strip it won't even say 6:5.

Look at the list above and get an idea of the relative importance of the rule to your overall house edge. Sometimes restricting your doubling options to 10 & 11 is known as "Reno Rules". The number of decks is relatively important so sometimes it is simply better to take the ACE bus and play blackjack downtown where you can find double deck games without $100 minimums. At the El Cortez (the oldest casino in Las Vegas) they still have single deck blackjack with full pay.

Blackjacks pay 1 to 1 is a rule that you will see when the blackjack dealer is wearing something very revealing, or if you are playing at a bar. If you are playing in one of these place, just keep your bets low.

Wizard of Odds site has a full list of every rule variation in blackjack that isn't a carnival game. Remember that poor play on average costs -0.83%

As we've discussed earlier, blackjack on the strip is down 34.4% from October 2007 to Feb 2010. Slots are down 21% for the same period. All pit games, sports and race except blackjack and baccarat are down 24%. Baccarat is up 16.4%. Many of think the difference between blackjack and the rest of gaming is widespread dissatisfaction with the rule changes.

I would also like to point out that blackjack started dropping on the strip 5 months before the movie 21 was released. When the movie came out there was tiny 1.4% increase in blackjack revenue for the month, but it's been falling ever since.

I think the executives that took a big fat bonus checks over the last eight years for inventing 6:5 payouts are all living on a beach somewhere immune from their handiwork.

Thanks for the info

Ask the dealer the rules, and if she doesn't know ask the pit.