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RedJack
RedJack
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March 7th, 2015 at 4:53:46 PM permalink
According to the Blackjack Survey section on this site ( I know most entries are dated and very few change every time it is updated), the VAST MAJORITY of Las Vegas Strip casinos have at least one legit 3:2 blackjack game for low-rollers (my definition - $15 minimum or less, preferably $10 or less), be it 6- or 8-deck. When I made a brief trip to LV last year, I stayed at the soon-to-be-gone Riviera and had my only Strip session there at their one and only 3:2 table w/ a $10 minimum ( the rest were $1 minimum which claimed they paid 6:5 but really paid even money on any portion(s) of bets not part of a multiple of 5, lol). The rest of the time I watched "O" at Bellagio which I have to admit was a bit of a disappointment given its fame and high ticket price, and just toured the Strip, spent time people watching, and marveled at the luxury and great architecture all those properties had. Only after I boarded the plane back home did I realize I had forgotten to do one of the things on my mind before the trip which was to check out all Strip properties' blackjack games and update the info a bit (only wanted to do Strip where the rip-off games are most prevalent), which I promised myself that I'd do next time I go there, which I hope to be sooner rather than later if I were to ever play the greatest casino game in the Sin City again, since I'd never, ever play the rip-off version which should not even be called "blackjack", and the conditions seem to be deteriorating as time goes by in the foreseeable future.

The brief personal story aside, since I totally forgot to pay attention to the state of blackjack games offered on the Strip other than the tables I walked by, I have very little idea about the conditions of low-roller tables there (see my definition above). I know however that there are significantly more rip-off ones than legit ones among those with minimums under $25. Now, would anyone who have info on table minimums in those Strip properties give me and the fellow members that are interested any updates on the current conditions? According to the author of a recent article on Casino City Times, he failed to identify a single 3:2 table that had a minimum below $25 during his brief trip to the Strip (no idea how many or which places he visited). However, I doubt that the Survey is THAT outdated since it, once again, lists multiple low-roller tables being offered at most Strip properties. Anyone with any up-to-date info to share with the rest of us would be greatly appreciated.

Note that English is not my native language so I hope what I wrote above makes sense to readers. This is my first post on this forum although I've been a loyal reader for quite some time. It is my pleasure to meet everybody here. Let's keep playing smart and giving ourselves the best shot at winning each and every session against the evil casino empires!
ams288
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March 7th, 2015 at 5:16:55 PM permalink
Casinos with 3:2 blackjack:

Treasure Island ($10 6-deck and DD games, always)
Bellagio ($10 and $15 6-deck CSM games, always)
Ballys, Harrahs, Flamingo ($10 during the day, $15 at night, 8 deck shoe games)
MGM Grand ($10 during the day, $15-$25 at night, 6 deck shoe games)
NYNY - two $10 6 deck shoes, two $25 DD games
Aria - all CSM games, $10 during the morning, $15 in the afternoon and evening
Mirage - only during the busiest times they have a couple low limit 3:2 tables open, but their main pit is all 6:5

Excalibur and Luxor also have $10 3:2 games, but I don't think they allow surrender or resplitting aces.
Ding Dong the Witch is Dead
beachbumbabs
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March 7th, 2015 at 7:11:00 PM permalink
Harrah's does play $10 3:2 on weeknights (M-T) the last 3 times I was there, including this week; probably does go to $15 F-S-S nights, but I'm not usually there to check. There's 1 table of it in the middle of all the 6:5 low-limit tables in the middle BJ pit, adjacent to the craps tables. The party pit is all 6:5, near the LV Blvd exit. They also have at least one $25 3:2 in the middle of the Asian pit, across the aisle. I think it goes to $15 on weekdays but keep forgetting to check.
If the House lost every hand, they wouldn't deal the game.
RedJack
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March 7th, 2015 at 7:23:43 PM permalink
Ams, thx for being my very first reader. I assume that is a partial list that you're sure of. I'd also assume that some of the lower-to-mid-tier ones such as Circus Circus, SLS, Monte Carlo, and the Linq should also offer 3:2 at relatively low limits at most times? I actually did visit Mirage's pit on a not-so-busy night and most tables were closed. Is that real that their MAIN pit is ALL 6:5? That's really brutal...

Also, as I toured the casinos/hotels I had a few in mind where the atmosphere seemed to my taste that I would consider playing there on my next trip, which are not listed above. Can anyone confirm whether any of the following are still valid? Note that the following is cited from the Survey on this site.

Paris: 8D, H17, DAS, LS, NRSA, $10-$2000;
Cosmopolitan: 8D, H17, DAS, LS, RSA, $15-$5000;
Wynn/Encore: 6D, H17, DAS, LS, RSA, $10-$5000;
CP: 6D, H17, DAS, LS, NRSA, $10-$10000

Also for my higher-roller acquaintances who'd prefer to play up to $50-$100 a hand and play in higher-end properties, from what I've heard Mandalay Bay, Venetian and Palazzo also offer 3:2 but minimum are often $50 or more on those games?
ams288
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March 7th, 2015 at 7:32:39 PM permalink
Quote: RedJack

Ams, thx for being my very first reader. I assume that is a partial list that you're sure of. I'd also assume that some of the lower-to-mid-tier ones such as Circus Circus, SLS, Monte Carlo, and the Linq should also offer 3:2 at relatively low limits at most times? I actually did visit Mirage's pit on a not-so-busy night and most tables were closed. Is that real that their MAIN pit is ALL 6:5? That's really brutal...

Also, as I toured the casinos/hotels I had a few in mind where the atmosphere seemed to my taste that I would consider playing there on my next trip, which are not listed above. Can anyone confirm whether any of the following are still valid? Note that the following is cited from the Survey on this site.

Paris: 8D, H17, DAS, LS, NRSA, $10-$2000;
Cosmopolitan: 8D, H17, DAS, LS, RSA, $15-$5000;
Wynn/Encore: 6D, H17, DAS, LS, RSA, $10-$5000;
CP: 6D, H17, DAS, LS, NRSA, $10-$10000

Also for my higher-roller acquaintances who'd prefer to play up to $50-$100 a hand and play in higher-end properties, from what I've heard Mandalay Bay, Venetian and Palazzo also offer 3:2 but minimum are often $50 or more on those games?



Linq has 0 3:2 games. Stay away from them. And unfortunately, Monte Carlo switched to all 6:5 recently. I used to enjoy their low limit games, but they are all ruined now.

Cosmo has $10-$15 8D games in the morning, $25 and up later in the day.

No game at the Wynn ever goes below $15, and most of the time they are $25. Pit bosses are nice there, and they often let you play for $15 if you ask. Their 6D shoes are all 3:2.

Those rules you posted for Paris are still valid, but usually those games are $15.
Ding Dong the Witch is Dead
RedJack
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March 7th, 2015 at 7:41:38 PM permalink
Quote: ams288

Linq has 0 3:2 games. Stay away from them. And unfortunately, Monte Carlo switched to all 6:5 recently. I used to enjoy their low limit games, but they are all ruined now.



By zero 3:2 do you mean blackjack tables of any limits or just low-roller tables (i.e. below $25)? Also for Monte Carlo, all 6:5 even for the $50 and $100 high limit tables? That's insane.
Avincow
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March 7th, 2015 at 7:55:01 PM permalink
Linq has a section of 3:2 tables on the raised platform across from the hotel check in desk. It doesn't seem to be open 24/7 and I think the min is $25. Is this considered their high roller section?
Avincow
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March 7th, 2015 at 8:26:02 PM permalink
Here's my blackjack survey of the strip (All info gathered 2015).

DISCLAIMER: It doesn't have everything, just the cheapest games that I actually played. I'm not going to list the rules, since my survey is probably inaccurate. You can just use the Wizard's survey for the rules. Also, I don't play CSMs, so this list is for shoes or pitch games. Lastly, I went to these casinos at random times. You may find that they are more/less expensive depending on when you go.

Mandalay Bay - $25 DD, $25 6D
Luxor - everything looked 6:5 to me, may have missed a section
Excalibur - $15 DD, $10 6D
Tropicana - $15 6D, $25 DD
Hooter's - $10 SD, $10 6D
MGM Grand - $10 6D, $25 6D S17
New York New York - $25 DD, $10 6D
Monte Carlo - Everything is shit
Planet Hollywood - $15 8D, $25 DD
Cosmo - $15 6D, $15 8D
Bally's - $15 6D, $25 DD
Paris - $10 8D, $25 DD
Flamingo - $25 DD, $15 6D
Linq - $25 8D
Oshea's - Everything is shit
Harrah's - $25 DD, $10 8D
Bellagio - Everything is shit under $100
Caesar's Palace - $25 6D
Treasure Island - $10 6D
Mirage - $25 6D, $25 DD
Casino Royale - Everything is shit
Venetian - Everything is shit under $50
Palazzo - Everything is shit under $50
Riviera - $25 DD, $25 6D
Circus Circus - $15 DD, $10 6D
SLS - $25 DD
Stratosphere - $25 DD, $10 6D
ahiromu
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March 7th, 2015 at 8:30:44 PM permalink
Monte Carlo most definitely does not have any low roller 3:2 BJ on the main floor, it's all 6:5. I'm pretty sure that all the blackjack on the main floor pays 6:5 too, not just the "low roller" but I definitely could be wrong about this. I just remember being super duper disappointed walking through their pit looking for a blackjack game.

NYNY always has at least 1 table of 3:2 blackjack. Back in November it was CSM, two weeks ago it was a shoe. $15 minimum, I think it drops to $10. These are the tables in the same bank as the $25 blackjack and Pai Gow Poker. One of them is a lowered table.

"My" Vegas started 6 years ago and even I notice a difference. It's very hard to play blackjack on the strip for less than $25 a hand, considering I won't touch CSM's (they move too fast).
Its - Possessive; It's - "It is" / "It has"; There - Location; Their - Possessive; They're - "They are"
ams288
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March 7th, 2015 at 8:35:18 PM permalink
Quote: Avincow

Here's my blackjack survey of the strip (All info gathered 2015).

DISCLAIMER: It doesn't have everything, just the cheapest games that I actually played. I'm not going to list the rules, since my survey is probably inaccurate. You can just use the Wizard's survey for the rules. Also, I don't play CSMs, so this list is for shoes or pitch games. Lastly, I went to these casinos at random times. You may find that they are more/less expensive depending on when you go.

Mandalay Bay - $25 DD, $25 6D
Luxor - everything looked 6:5 to me, may have missed a section
Excalibur - $15 DD, $10 6D
Tropicana - $15 6D, $25 DD
Hooter's - $10 SD, $10 6D
MGM Grand - $10 6D, $25 6D S17
New York New York - $25 DD, $10 6D
Monte Carlo - Everything is shit
Planet Hollywood - $15 8D, $25 DD
Cosmo - $15 6D, $15 8D
Bally's - $15 6D, $25 DD
Paris - $10 8D, $25 DD
Flamingo - $25 DD, $15 6D
Linq - $25 8D
Oshea's - Everything is shit
Harrah's - $25 DD, $10 8D
Bellagio - Everything is shit under $100
Caesar's Palace - $25 6D
Treasure Island - $10 6D
Mirage - $25 6D, $25 DD
Casino Royale - Everything is shit
Venetian - Everything is shit under $50
Palazzo - Everything is shit under $50
Riviera - $25 DD, $25 6D
Circus Circus - $15 DD, $10 6D
SLS - $25 DD
Stratosphere - $25 DD, $10 6D



Great list EXCEPT for Bellagio. I've played a $10 3:2 SOFT 17 game there in the morning several times (usually on slow weekday mornings, but still!) A lot of the time their 6 deck S17 games are $25, then they go to $50 in the evening.

And they always have $10 games (granted you don't like CSMs, but I don't mind them.)
Ding Dong the Witch is Dead
ams288
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March 7th, 2015 at 8:36:09 PM permalink
duplicate
Ding Dong the Witch is Dead
Avincow
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March 7th, 2015 at 8:57:39 PM permalink
Quote: ams288

Great list EXCEPT for Bellagio. I've played a $10 3:2 SOFT 17 game there in the morning several times (usually on slow weekday mornings, but still!) A lot of the time their 6 deck S17 games are $25, then they go to $50 in the evening.

And they always have $10 games (granted you don't like CSMs, but I don't mind them.)



Ah ok, maybe I'll check them out again. When I was in there, it was night and everything under $100 was CSMs. Yeah, my data may be a little off since some of these places I've only been in once. If I have a bad experience at a place, I am unlikely to revisit that place. Wastes too much time when I know of definite opportunities elsewhere.

So do you know if Venetian/Palazzo have $25 tables in the morning? From my own experience and everyone else's unanimous reports of that place having no 3:2 under $50, I have never ventured back into that place.
RedJack
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March 7th, 2015 at 9:01:06 PM permalink
Really ams regarding Bellagio having $10 LEGIT games at times which are also S17?! I'll assure you next time I'm in Vegas I'm gonna drop by Bellagio EVERY morning/late night for a chance to run into that. This is truly the biggest surprise I've seen so far on the topic. I wouldn't be surprised if this is the only $10 S17 in the whole state! Pretty sweet deal if you ask me, to play in such a renowned high-end property as Bellagio, at a game that also has one of the lowest HE's for a 6-deck game in the entire country b/c of S17 alone.

From your info, the second best deal I picked out was that you can try asking for $15 at the Wynn. To be able to play in that good a place for just $15 is an awesome deal considering I've seen many many really shabby casinos across the country that offer no less than $15 at any time of the week.
Avincow
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March 7th, 2015 at 10:37:20 PM permalink
Quote: RedJack

Really ams regarding Bellagio having $10 LEGIT games at times which are also S17?! I'll assure you next time I'm in Vegas I'm gonna drop by Bellagio EVERY morning/late night for a chance to run into that.



Well try the morning, not late night. Once the minimum on a table is raised, it never comes back down unless the table is shut down for the night (and then it reopens in the morning at its lowest minimum again).
Canyonero
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March 8th, 2015 at 3:24:33 AM permalink
There is one $5 3:2 blackjack table at the Excalibur. It has a CSM.
Sigsev
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March 8th, 2015 at 11:43:03 AM permalink
Quote: Avincow

Ah ok, maybe I'll check them out again. When I was in there, it was night and everything under $100 was CSMs. Yeah, my data may be a little off since some of these places I've only been in once. If I have a bad experience at a place, I am unlikely to revisit that place. Wastes too much time when I know of definite opportunities elsewhere.

So do you know if Venetian/Palazzo have $25 tables in the morning? From my own experience and everyone else's unanimous reports of that place having no 3:2 under $50, I have never ventured back into that place.



V/P has 2D H17 pitch for $50, I haven't seen it drop to $25 even early morning. The pitch feature is nice. They also have 2D/6D S17 in the high limit rooms with a $100-200 minimum. Everything else is garbage. Last time I was playing craps there watching a guy bet blacks at a $25 min 6:5 8D H17 table. That game is never going away.

Mirage has a great 2D S17 game which is $25 in the mornings and always open, it's one of my favourites to play but sometimes they jack the limits up when it's busy. It's location is directly across from the Baccarat room. However dealers there have told me they are moving all BJ to 6:5 outside the high limit room there as part of their continuing revamp. Blackjack is becoming and endangered species.

Your low roller list is great though Avincow, red chippers should bookmark it!
RedJack
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March 9th, 2015 at 12:58:20 PM permalink
Yes! Let's keep this thread and ones like this alive for those who want to play decent games without breaking the bank, and especially those who enjoy the bright lights of places such as the Strip, where they put in horrible rip-off games for the specific reason that non-savvy tourists can't see beyond the glamours and luxury of the big names.

Speaking of Mirage though, since even the Survey, last updated Jan 8, states that the minimums at Mirage are $50+ (only legit 3:2 games listed), people's expectations on Mirage should not be kept low. If you happen to run into a decent game with smaller minimums, great; and if not, just head over to one of the other locations nearby.

It was funny but sad that when I toured Mirage last spring, around midnight or so on a weekday, the only table I saw in the open pit that had a payout of 3:2 was Free Bet. Can anyone confirm if they still offer the game, and if so, whether it still pays 3:2? Though an interesting game, its HE of over 1% is high enough to begin with, and if it pays 6:5 on naturals you might as well go play War which is not that far off in terms of hold.
ams288
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March 9th, 2015 at 3:47:52 PM permalink
Yes, Mirage still has 3:2 Free Bet Blackjack. That pit is where the low limit 3:2 games are at the Mirage. If there are no tables open there besides the Free Bet and Blackjack Switch tables, then they only have 6:5 games for low limits.

And in regards to the Bellagio - if you go around 7-9am on a weekday, that is when you have the best chance of finding their soft 17 games with $10 minimums.
Ding Dong the Witch is Dead
beachbumbabs
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March 9th, 2015 at 4:33:23 PM permalink
Switch and FreeBet were both still at the Mirage this week, both $10 minimums. Didn't notice what min's the other tables in that pit had. It's beside the PaiGow pit lengthwise, not far past the hi-limit slots (which are in a room to themselves). If you cross the bridge past the rain forest inside the main Mirage entry, there's a carnival games pit in front of you, with the poker room off to the left, and the sportsbook behind that. The hi-limit slots are directly behind that pit, and the pai gow pit is directly behind the slots. Go around the hi-limit slots to the right and you'll be facing the Switch/FreeBet pit.
If the House lost every hand, they wouldn't deal the game.
helpmespock
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March 9th, 2015 at 5:04:17 PM permalink
Quote: ams288

And in regards to the Bellagio - if you go around 7-9am on a weekday, that is when you have the best chance of finding their soft 17 games with $10 minimums.



Last year at this time, I looked for the $10 hit soft 17 CSM games and none were open at the Bellagio. The first time I looked was a Sunday afternoon so no big surprise that it wasn't open. I looked again on the Wednesday and they still weren't open. I ended up playing the $15 8D shoe game there instead.

I played at MGM for $10 as well as the $10 2 deck TI game. The TI game only deals half the cards, no mid-shoe entry as well as other restrictive rules that raise the house edge back to around 0.5%.

The Wynn tables have $15 minimums typically early in the morning, but I did find one 3:2 $15 minimum game mixed in with a bunch of 6:5 games in the row facing the 'Allegiro' restaurant in the evening. All the games at the front of the Wynn casino (the area closest to the strip) are all 6:5 gimmick games in the evening.

--helpmespock
ams288
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March 10th, 2015 at 7:07:16 AM permalink
Quote: helpmespock

Last year at this time, I looked for the $10 hit soft 17 CSM games and none were open at the Bellagio. The first time I looked was a Sunday afternoon so no big surprise that it wasn't open. I looked again on the Wednesday and they still weren't open. I ended up playing the $15 8D shoe game there instead.



All shoes at the Bellagio are 6 decks.

Basically, they have two pits of shoe games. One is S17 (kind of adjacent to the MLife desk on the left side). Then there is the H17 pit across the walkway from the S17 pit. The H17 pit is $10 until noon, then it goes up to $25.

They only have the S17 pit at $10 minimums in the morning if it's such a slow day that the H17 pit isn't even open.
Ding Dong the Witch is Dead
Baccaratfrom79
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March 10th, 2015 at 7:18:13 AM permalink
Dumb question I am sure. All high limit rooms are 3:2 on the BJ. The table my wife was at CP where the wonderful dealer was making every 4-5-6 into consistent 20's and 21's was definitely a 3:2 but that was a $300.00 min. next to a $100.00 min. Didn't pay attention to the other ones in the adjacent row or the row by the casino side of the room??
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helpmespock
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March 10th, 2015 at 4:16:06 PM permalink
Quote: ams288

All shoes at the Bellagio are 6 decks.

Basically, they have two pits of shoe games. One is S17 (kind of adjacent to the MLife desk on the left side). Then there is the H17 pit across the walkway from the S17 pit. The H17 pit is $10 until noon, then it goes up to $25.

They only have the S17 pit at $10 minimums in the morning if it's such a slow day that the H17 pit isn't even open.



I thought it was shoe with 8 decks, but I could easily be wrong. I think the tables I was playing at were closer to Noodles if I recall correctly.

I'd love to play a $10 stand on 17 game at Bellagio even if it is CSM. I'll be there next week and I plan on playing at Bellagio if it's $10 minimum. I'll report back here on what I end up playing.

--helpmespock
RedJack
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March 18th, 2015 at 6:29:03 AM permalink
Nowadays I have read plenty of posts on this forum as well as from other sources that Mirage will be soon removing all 3:2 regular blackjack games from its main floor and limiting them to the high-limit room only. Does anyone know what the rules are for the high-limit room and what the minimums are? $100?
AcesAndEights
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March 18th, 2015 at 3:47:25 PM permalink
Quote: RedJack

Nowadays I have read plenty of posts on this forum as well as from other sources that Mirage will be soon removing all 3:2 regular blackjack games from its main floor and limiting them to the high-limit room only. Does anyone know what the rules are for the high-limit room and what the minimums are? $100?


You've read that on this forum? I've been off and on over the past few months, but I have not heard that particular rumor here. That would be out of line with MLife's general attitude at its higher-end properties, and would definitely suck.
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bigplayer
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March 18th, 2015 at 5:02:12 PM permalink
Quote: ams288

Casinos with 3:2 blackjack:



Excalibur and Luxor also have $10 3:2 games, but I don't think they allow surrender or resplitting aces.



Luxor no longer has any low limit 3/2 blackjack on their floor. They converted all $10 eight deck games to 6/5 two weeks ago. They still have at least one $25 double deck game that is 3/2 on the main floor.
HowMany
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March 18th, 2015 at 6:47:03 PM permalink
Is 6:5 really necessary?

People suck at blackjack. They don't even know basic strategy.

These idiots would lose their rolls if blackjack paid 2:1.
RedJack
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March 18th, 2015 at 7:53:40 PM permalink
Two points I'd have to make:

1. All the information presented in this section is the exact reason why the Survey on this site, while a very courteous gesture by the Wizard, is always badly outdated and needs dedicated members to give frequent, weekly/monthly updates, as the deterioration of the games, at least payout-wise, has been taking place on a weekly, maybe even daily basis in the entire country and has started to spread across the world.

2.
Quote: HowMany

Is 6:5 really necessary?

People suck at blackjack. They don't even know basic strategy.

These idiots would lose their rolls if blackjack paid 2:1.



Would any rational business person really turn away from guaranteed, pure profit for which there is no additional cost whatsoever? Remember that no matter how bad the average player is, the 6:5 payout still adds 1.39% to the built-in HE of the game, and all they need to realize that profit is to change the payout. For that matter, I recently chatted with a floor supervisor at a casino I played at, and he had a very interesting thought. He believed that the only potential issue players might have with the 6:5 payout is that 5 and 6 are not exactly popular numbers in the game of blackjack. 10 and 11 are definitely much more popular, and more so with 20 and 21. He said that if he were in charge, he'd make the payout for $15 and $25 tables 11:10, and $50> tables 21:20, with the slogan "bet more, win even more!" and players would flock to the games because they would see 11:10 as 3.67~5 times better than 3:2 (11/3 and 10/2) and 21:20 as 7~10 times better (21/3 and 20/2)! Sooner or later this is what you might hear at blackjack tables: "Wow! Yeah baby a whopping $105 on my $100 blackjack?! Here's a green toke my heavenly angel!"
bobsims
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March 19th, 2015 at 8:33:42 AM permalink
Quote: HowMany

Is 6:5 really necessary?

People suck at blackjack. They don't even know basic strategy.

These idiots would lose their rolls if blackjack paid 2:1.



Casino managers today mostly have the policy of "bust 'em out as quickly as possible" which is totally the wrong strategy to maximize profits.
RedJack
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March 19th, 2015 at 7:11:29 PM permalink
Quote: bobsims

Casino managers today mostly have the policy of "bust 'em out as quickly as possible" which is totally the wrong strategy to maximize profits.



If you look at the pattern on the prevalence of 6:5 games, it's probably no coincidence that the Strip is most notorious for it, followed by casinos in tourist resorts where a large number of out-of-state and foreign visitors go to. Casinos catering to locals and those from within a couple hours' drive tend to have much better rules to keep their customer base.

Applying the above to this argument, on the Strip where the majority of patrons are likely only there once a year or maybe even once in their lifetimes and are not going to be returning or playing on a regular bases either way, they see it as a more profit-guaranteeing move to squeeze every last penny out of a customer in the short term because there is really no playing for the long run.
ams288
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March 20th, 2015 at 7:58:10 AM permalink
Not surprising to see Luxor go to all 6:5.

Even their 3:2 tables were kinda strict. No surrender. Aces only split once. I never played there anyway.

If the Bellagio ever goes to 6:5.... that will be a dark day for me.
Ding Dong the Witch is Dead
helpmespock
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March 22nd, 2015 at 3:31:35 PM permalink
Hi Folks,

I just got back from my trip this past week and here is what I found:

Wynn/Encore (where we stayed)

- $15 minimum blackjack with 6 decks, hit on soft 17, surrender, double after split, re-split aces -- most common in the morning. Minimums go to $25 or $50 in the evening
- lots of 6:5 games open up for $15 in the evening
- if you're lucky and a table isn't busy in the evening the soft 17 game will briefly go down from $25 to $15 to attract business. As soon as three players show up, it goes back up to $25
- I could not find any stand on 17 games on the main gaming floors in both Wynn and Encore. Must only be in the high limit room.

Treasure Island

- $10 minimum double deck game, hit on soft 17, no surrender, double after split allowed, no re-split aces -- only in the morning. Goes to $25 by the afternoon

Bellagio

- $10 minimum blackjack with 6 decks on a CSM, hit on soft 17, surrender, double after split, re-split aces -- I only found this in the evening at the Bellagio
- $15 minimum blackjack with 6 decks, hit on soft 17, surrender, double after split, re-split aces -- You can find this most times of the day. Many of these tables go to $25 minimum in the evening
- $50 minimum blackjack with 6 decks, stand on soft 17, surrender, double after split, re-split aces -- If you're lucky and it's not busy they'll temporarily lower the minimum to $25 to attract business. This happened to me last Tuesday night.

--helpmespock
RedJack
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March 23rd, 2015 at 5:58:26 PM permalink
Quote: helpmespock


Wynn/Encore (where we stayed)

- $15 minimum blackjack with 6 decks, hit on soft 17, surrender, double after split, re-split aces -- most common in the morning. Minimums go to $25 or $50 in the evening
- lots of 6:5 games open up for $15 in the evening
- if you're lucky and a table isn't busy in the evening the soft 17 game will briefly go down from $25 to $15 to attract business. As soon as three players show up, it goes back up to $25
- I could not find any stand on 17 games on the main gaming floors in both Wynn and Encore. Must only be in the high limit room.

--helpmespock



Do they have the grandfather policy there? I mean, imo it wouldn't be very exciting if you sat down to play $15 a hand( your comfortable level) and were told to play $25 after just several hands (esp. losses) simply because more than two other people showed up.
Gabes22
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March 23rd, 2015 at 7:14:12 PM permalink
The only casino I have ever had a problem with grandfathering in a minimum bet level after minimums have been raised was Rivers Casino in Des Plaines, IL. Every place I have been to in Vegas has had no problem whatsoever grandfathering in an existing player at a previous table minimum once the limits have been raised
A flute with no holes is not a flute, a donut with no holes is a danish
helpmespock
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March 24th, 2015 at 3:55:01 PM permalink
Quote: RedJack

Do they have the grandfather policy there? I mean, imo it wouldn't be very exciting if you sat down to play $15 a hand( your comfortable level) and were told to play $25 after just several hands (esp. losses) simply because more than two other people showed up.



I was grandfathered at the lower minimum at Wynn, Encore and Bellagio whenever they raised the minimums.

I understand that if it's an empty table you could request that the minimum be lowered. They don't have to honour your request though.

--helpmespock
ams288
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March 24th, 2015 at 6:54:18 PM permalink
Well, another one has bitten the dust:

All low limit tables at the MGM Grand are now 6:5.
Ding Dong the Witch is Dead
RedJack
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March 24th, 2015 at 7:50:09 PM permalink
Low limit, as in under $25, or under $50, or under $100?

The last few posts just prove my point that for the Survey on this site to be meaningful, there'd have to be dedicated people that update it on at least a weekly basis.

Then again, maybe there's no more need as the end might be coming sooner than most anticipate. Perhaps in less than 3 years there'll be no more 3:2 blackjack in Vegas for anything less than $50 except in a few remote locals casinos, which makes it no longer worth visiting as I suspect that's not a level most on this board are comfortable with.
Avincow
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March 24th, 2015 at 10:16:33 PM permalink
Quote: ams288

Well, another one has bitten the dust:

All low limit tables at the MGM Grand are now 6:5.



I was just there a few weeks ago. they have $15 3:2 in between the craps tables and the 6:5/carnival games pit. Now if you are there on friday night, you will probably find those tables at $25.
Avincow
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March 24th, 2015 at 10:19:10 PM permalink
Quote: Avincow

I was just there a few weeks ago. they have $15 3:2. This is where it's located: you got S17 pit, then craps, then the H17 3:2 pit. Now if you are there on friday night, you will probably find those tables at $25.



oops, meant to edit my original post. well, you can read the above quote if my directions were unclear lol
RedJack
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March 24th, 2015 at 11:49:43 PM permalink
Quote: Avincow

I was just there a few weeks ago.



That might be the problem. As I mentioned earlier, the deterioration of blackjack quality has sped up at an all-time high rate of late, at least as far as low-limit games on the Strip.

Having said that, they actually have a S17 pit? Are they $25 min for 6d and $100 for 2d as listed in the Survey?

Also, not only for MGM Grand but the Strip in general, when it's said that 3:2 only exists in the High Limit Room, what are the general conditions in those rooms (i.e. minimums, decks, S/H 17, RSA, etc.)?
mcallister3200
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March 24th, 2015 at 11:53:10 PM permalink
Quote: Gabes22

The only casino I have ever had a problem with grandfathering in a minimum bet level after minimums have been raised was Rivers Casino in Des Plaines, IL. Every place I have been to in Vegas has had no problem whatsoever grandfathering in an existing player at a previous table minimum once the limits have been raised



Might depend somewhat on time of year. For the brief amount of time I was a dealer downtown, there was no grandfathering during march madness but otherwise was on bj tables. No grandfathering on craps tables at that particular casino, I've played craps 3 times recreationally in my lifetime other than the occasional matchplay at a store that has garbage bj so not sure if that's common.
ams288
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March 25th, 2015 at 3:14:44 AM permalink
Quote: Avincow

I was just there a few weeks ago. they have $15 3:2 in between the craps tables and the 6:5/carnival games pit. Now if you are there on friday night, you will probably find those tables at $25.



This change was made on 3/23/15.

All H17 tables are now 6:5.

The S17 pit near the high limit slots apparently has not been affected.
Ding Dong the Witch is Dead
RedJack
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March 25th, 2015 at 4:27:41 AM permalink
So ams, since you seem to know the games on the major Strip casinos pretty well, do you happen to have the answers to the questions in the last few posts regarding MGM and the Strip in general?
ams288
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March 25th, 2015 at 5:24:48 AM permalink
Which questions are you referring to?
Ding Dong the Witch is Dead
Avincow
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March 25th, 2015 at 11:49:55 AM permalink
Quote: ams288

This change was made on 3/23/15.

All H17 tables are now 6:5.

The S17 pit near the high limit slots apparently has not been affected.



Well that is disappointing to say the least. vegas is becoming less and less desirable by the week.
seviay
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March 25th, 2015 at 12:30:32 PM permalink
Quote: ams288

This change was made on 3/23/15.

All H17 tables are now 6:5.

The S17 pit near the high limit slots apparently has not been affected.


I can confirm the change occurred 3/23, because I was staying there at the time. I was able to convince Whiskey Down to deal me in at $25. It was a 6-deck, hand shuffle, 3:2, DAS, RSA, S17 game, but of course I still got killed. The pit boss in there was sympathetic to my frustration at the rule change. The pit between the craps tables and the high limit slot appeared unchanged (for now).
So, it sounds like if you want to play blackjack at MGM, you're either going to have to get lucky and convince a pit boss to lower the stakes to $25 for you or just play mid-week, during the day. I may have to move my play downtown and stick with video poker and some occasional blackjack. I refuse to give the house even more of an advantage
RedJack
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March 25th, 2015 at 2:42:56 PM permalink
Quote: ams288

Which questions are you referring to?



Please check the previous few posts and my questions are right there. Questions of particular interest:

1. When it's said that a given location no longer offers 3:2 blackjack for low stakes, what are the usual "low stakes" where it's replaced by 6:5 or lower? Is it generally $10 or lower, $15 or lower, or $25 or lower? Note that we're only discussing the Strip.

2. What are the general conditions on the Strip in the High Limit area? i.e. Minimums, number of decks in play, rules such as soft 17, surrender, re-splitting aces, etc.

I know it all depends on location and chain, but I think players who visit Vegas once per year or less might be interested in getting updated on the general conditions on the Strip, where they likely spend most/all of their time while there.
ams288
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March 25th, 2015 at 3:36:11 PM permalink
Quote: RedJack

Please check the previous few posts and my questions are right there. Questions of particular interest:

1. When it's said that a given location no longer offers 3:2 blackjack for low stakes, what are the usual "low stakes" where it's replaced by 6:5 or lower? Is it generally $10 or lower, $15 or lower, or $25 or lower? Note that we're only discussing the Strip.

2. What are the general conditions on the Strip in the High Limit area? i.e. Minimums, number of decks in play, rules such as soft 17, surrender, re-splitting aces, etc.

I know it all depends on location and chain, but I think players who visit Vegas once per year or less might be interested in getting updated on the general conditions on the Strip, where they likely spend most/all of their time while there.



1- When a casino gets rid of 3:2 tables, it's usually for anything below $25. MGM Grand, for example, will still have 3:2 S17 games for $25 during slow times and $50 regularly. But all the "low limit" tables ($10-15 during the day, $25 at night) will be 6:5.

2- I don't know much about high limit rooms... I know MGM properties will have 6 deck shoes and DD games in them...
Ding Dong the Witch is Dead
ams288
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March 25th, 2015 at 3:37:32 PM permalink
Quote: seviay

I can confirm the change occurred 3/23, because I was staying there at the time. I was able to convince Whiskey Down to deal me in at $25. It was a 6-deck, hand shuffle, 3:2, DAS, RSA, S17 game, but of course I still got killed. The pit boss in there was sympathetic to my frustration at the rule change. The pit between the craps tables and the high limit slot appeared unchanged (for now).
So, it sounds like if you want to play blackjack at MGM, you're either going to have to get lucky and convince a pit boss to lower the stakes to $25 for you or just play mid-week, during the day. I may have to move my play downtown and stick with video poker and some occasional blackjack. I refuse to give the house even more of an advantage



Your post at VMB was my source for this. ;)

It's a sad development, but it was obviously gonna happen eventually....
Ding Dong the Witch is Dead
theoriemeister
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July 12th, 2015 at 5:26:22 PM permalink
I know I'm really late to this conversation (joining this forum only earlier this week), but I just came across this thread today.

In July 2014 I was in LV to attend a convention, which was headquartered at the MGM. I soon discovered the Hooter's across the street, where I could get a burger for under $10 and they even had 2-for-1 drinks at happy hour. It became my exclusive place to eat, because everything at the MGM was so expensive. But more to the point of this thread, they also had a single BJ table with a min of $5. After doing the tourist thing and visiting a couple of other places on the strip, I realized how rare the $5 table was.

I didn't see Hooter's mentioned in the list at the beginning of the thread. Is it still there? Did they do away with the $5 table? Any update on this place?

Theorie
ars longa vita brevis
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