Recent Vegas Trip

Okay, so I was in Vegas for a couple of nights this week on my way to and from SoCal. I don't go to Vegas to play blackjack because there are better tables at the casinos near where I live. But I do like to play just a little bit for fun and to pass the time before a show or something. I played a little at Mandalay Bay, Excalibur, the Grand, Bally's and the Wynn. Just flat betting every time and playing basic strategy. I mainly spent my time going to the Titanic museum at the Luxor, the Aquarium at MB, dining at Craftsteak, and seeing Le Reve at the Wynn. Those were my main reasons for being in town.

Anyway, as if I didn't already know, Vegas blackjack (at least at the places I have been) sucks for low-end people like me. The vast majority of $5-$15 tables that I saw pay 6-5. Many games are dealt from CSM's. Every table I saw was H17. There isn't a double deck game that I have the money to even look at as far as counting and using any kind of decent betting spread. Compare that with my home turf that has at least three casinos that have $10 DD games, DAS, S17, etc. No way am I overextending myself just b/c I am in Vegas. Maybe there are better tables off the Strip, but I'm not going out looking for them. So I took $100 to the cheap tables and made it last a while as I mostly just enjoyed chatting with players from other parts of the country, including a guy I saw double down on a $100 bet with a 3/2 (5) vs. a dealer 3. Saw one lady at the Wynn playing 5K a hand at a $500 table. Biggest wager I have personally seen. I'm sure many of you have seen bigger - perhaps even played bigger. But that was interesting to watch for a few minutes.

But it was a good trip. I enjoyed it. Had fun in SoCal too.

Since I know how to play BJ, I will play a little BJ if the HE is below 1% if I am in a casino. I've never gone this route, but if that meant a few hands at a higher minimum than I liked, I would. The thing is to keep your total action the same.

Try Downtown next time. I've never even been to Vegas, and even I know about the 3:2 single deck game for $5 at the Cortez.

So what's the catch with their $5 3/2 single deck game?

Quote: Wanderer

So what's the catch with their $5 3/2 single deck game?

H17 I guess, otherwise it would be player advantage I think

the spread between theoretical and 'realistic' HA at the Wizard's calculator is also surprising large, going from about 0.15 to about 0.30%

https://wizardofodds.com/games/blackjack/calculator/
https://wizardofvegas.com/guides/blackjack-survey/

Quote: odiousgambit

H17 I guess, otherwise it would be player advantage I think

the spread between theoretical and 'realistic' HA at the Wizard's calculator is also surprising large, going from about 0.15 to about 0.30%

https://wizardofodds.com/games/blackjack/calculator/
https://wizardofvegas.com/guides/blackjack-survey/

H17 is all over Vegas anyway. The only thing I vaguely remember reading about (on here) regarding the Cortez is the major heat. And if they're offering $5 3/2 SD BJ, I can see why that may be the case. Not sure what the purpose is, though, in having a game that seems designed to lure card counters only to kick them out when you identify them.

Quote: Wanderer

H17 is all over Vegas anyway. The only thing I vaguely remember reading about (on here) regarding the Cortez is the major heat. And if they're offering $5 3/2 SD BJ, I can see why that may be the case. Not sure what the purpose is, though, in having a game that seems designed to lure card counters only to kick them out when you identify them.

They do it so that they can say they have the best Blackjack in town. You can't really make any money there, but you can count casually with a $5-$15 spread. On my first trip to Vegas, I will go there just to say that I played the best single deck game in town, but most of my time will be spent elsewhere.

Why can't you win money there? Too much heat?

Quote: Wanderer

Why can't you win money there? Too much heat?

You can't make a lot of money spreading $5-$15. Now $50-$150 is a much different story.

Quote: Avincow

You can't make a lot of money spreading $5-$15. Now $50-$150 is a much different story.

Well, do they have a low table maximum or something? Unless the table max is extremely low or the heat is too high, then why the $5-$15 spread?

Quote: Wanderer

Well, do they have a low table maximum or something? Unless the table max is extremely low or the heat is too high, then why the $5-$15 spread?

Because a 1-3 spread with a $5 min bet is something they tolerate. But if you're moving your money with the count you shouldn't overexpose yourself. I'm certain though that betting $50 to $150 and moving your money with the count would not last very long at all. Ten minutes tops. Once you bet black or it's equivalent you're a big loud blip on their radar.

Another thing to consider, if we're still talking about the El Cortez, is that you can be backed off for winning. Never mind counting. They don't call it the Sweaty Spaniard for nothing.

Quote: 1BB

Another thing to consider, if we're still talking about the El Cortez, is that you can be backed off for winning. Never mind counting. They don't call it the Sweaty Spaniard for nothing.

Maybe I had a good drunk act (because I slammed 3 beers in front of the PB - practically staring at him - the moment I walked in), or maybe it was because I was with my parents so they didn't think me a counter with his family? ...but I played at El Cortez for about 2 hours going $5-$40. I only got flat bet because I didn't plan to return downtown the rest of my trip (only a few more days) and I wanted to see what they'd take. Got it going literally from $5 one hand to $50 on the next.

...Even funnier: Since they were staring at me most the night they apparently IGNORED my brother who just wonged in when I upped my bet and he just bet quarters, then would wong out on shuffle or me downsizing my bet. I couldn't believe they let him hop in and out betting quarters like that.

Quote:

...Even funnier: Since they were staring at me most the night they apparently IGNORED my brother who just wonged in when I upped my bet and he just bet quarters, then would wong out on shuffle or me downsizing my bet. I couldn't believe they let him hop in and out betting quarters like that.

They allow mid-deck entry in the single deck 3/2 game?

Quote: Wanderer

Quote:

...Even funnier: Since they were staring at me most the night they apparently IGNORED my brother who just wonged in when I upped my bet and he just bet quarters, then would wong out on shuffle or me downsizing my bet. I couldn't believe they let him hop in and out betting quarters like that.

They allow mid-deck entry in the single deck 3/2 game?

I wouldn't think, but I can't 100% recall. He was playing with me the other 1.5 hours. When he hit some poor variance he decided to just sit out entire deals and hop in mid way through the 3 rounds we got with quarters. Maybe they didn't notice because he was sitting there for 2 hours (just the last 30 min he was skipping hands/deals entirely and wonging - while still sitting).