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Looking at Downtown Las Vegas casinos, things have not shifted much since we took a look at the betting destinations last year. With that being said, there has been a bit of a shift to 6-5 blackjack payouts by some properties, but it is refreshing to see the vast majority of games are still the more advantageous 3-2 variety.
The downtown casinos in Las Vegas still maintain their party pits, where attractive dealers in skimpy outfits deal blackjack to players. Players can expect to find these games at The D, Golden Gate, Binion’s, Golden Nugget, and Las Vegas Club.
Just like last year, the best blackjack in Downtown Las Vegas is found at El Cortez Casino. The game features 3-2 blackjack payouts, uses a single deck, and allows for players to double down on any two cards. The game is made even more appealing for its $5 minimum bet and extremely low House Hold % of 0.0019346.
Another strong contender for best Downtown Las Vegas blackjack is at the Golden Nugget, whose blackjack offerings include shoe games that allow for doubling down after splits, re-splitting of aces, surrendering, and low $10 table minimums. As always, the Golden Nugget also features a variety of other blackjack games ranging from single deck all the way up to six bet shoe games. The casino is widely known for its excellent comp programs, and high rollers can earn a VIP host right off the bat.
The house edge drops a bit on a percentage basis when the table minimum is $10. Players have an expected loss of about $0.43 per hand. This makes the house edge 4.3 percent, which is nearly identical to the $5 3-2 Bonus Spin Blackjack game at Four Queens when making the minimum bet. Golden Nugget Still Offers Good Blackjack. There are still.
There are plenty of blackjack variations offered at the Golden Nugget. The rules summary states, “On some games, the dealer must hit on a ‘soft’ 17,” but that should probably be updated to read “on all games with minimum stakes under $100.” Whether the game is double-deck or six-deck, if the table stakes start at $10, $25 or $50, the dealers hit on soft 17. The maximum bet on all five of the Golden Nugget craps tables is $5,000 except under special arrangements. The games are all together, close to the poker room. Unlike some Las Vegas Strip casinos, the crowd at the Golden Nugget is predominantly younger and less involved with the stereotypical, serious craps player mentality. Games are lively.
Binion’s remains a bad bet for players partaking in blackjack, as the casino has two blackjack tables offering shoe games with horrible 6-5 payouts for play. The casino’s single deck blackjack remains, but so does the awful double rules that restrict you to doubling on 10 and 11.
With that exception, Downtown Las Vegas continues to offer some of the best blackjack rules in all of Las Vegas, and players can read about the different games being offered below.
Downtown Las Vegas Blackjack Survey
Casino | # of Decks | Min Bet | Max Bet | H/S 17 | DA | DAS | RSA | Surrender | # of Tables | CSM | Party Pit | 6/5 BJ | Video | Exotic | House Hold % | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 4 Queens | 6 | 5 | 500 | H | - | - | - | - | 2 | No | No | No | No | BJ Switch | 0.0058 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 4 Queens | 1 | 10 | 500 | H | Yes | No | No | No | 1 | No | No | Yes | No | No | 0.0169824 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 4 Queens | 2 | 10 | 500 | H | Yes | No | No | No | 1 | No | No | No | No | No | 0.0060225 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 4 Queens | 8 | 10 | 500 | H | Yes | Yes | No | Yes | 1 | No | No | No | No | No | 0.0056926 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 4 Queens | 8 | 5 | 500 | H | Yes | Yes | No | Yes | 10 | No | No | Yes | No | No | 0.0192724 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Binion's | 1 | 10 | 500 | H | No | No | No | No | 2 | No | No | No | No | No | 0.0057982 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Binion's | 1 | 5 | 500 | H | Yes | No | No | No | 2 | No | Yes | Yes | No | No | 0.0169824 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Binion's | 8 | 5 | 500 | H | Yes | Yes | Yes | No | 12 | No | No | Yes | No | No | 0.0194908 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| California | 1 | 5 | 500 | H | Yes | No | No | No | 2 | No | No | Yes | No | No | 0.0169824 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| California | 2 | 5 | 1000 | H | Yes | No | No | No | 15 | No | No | No | No | No | 0.0060225 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| California | 6 | 3 | 200 | H | Yes | No | No | No | 1 | No | No | No | No | No | 0.0078327 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Downtown Grand | 2 | 25 | 2000 | H | Yes | Yes | No | No | 1 | No | No | No | No | No | 0.0045688 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Downtown Grand | 6 | 5 | 3000 | H | Yes | Yes | No | No | 10 | No | No | No | No | No | 0.0063873 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| El Cortez | 1 | 5 | 500 | H | Yes | No | No | No | 10 | No | No | No | No | No | 0.0030346 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| El Cortez | 1 | 25 | 1000 | H | Yes | No | No | No | 1 | No | No | No | No | No | 0.0030346 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| El Cortez | 2 | 3 | 500 | H | Yes | Yes | No | No | 2 | No | No | No | No | No | 0.0045688 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Fremont | 1 | 5 | 500 | H | - | - | - | - | 2 | No | No | No | No | Super Fun 21 | 0.0116 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Fremont | 1 | 5 | 200 | H | Yes | No | No | No | 1 | No | No | Yes | No | No | 0.0169824 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Fremont | 2 | 5 | 1000 | H | Yes | No | No | No | 7 | No | No | No | No | No | 0.0060225 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Fremont | 6 | 3 | 200 | H | Yes | No | No | No | 5 | No | No | No | No | No | 0.0078327 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Fremont | 6 | 5 | 500 | H | Yes | Yes | No | No | 1 | No | No | Yes | No | Change It 21 | - | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Golden Gate | 2 | 5 | 1000 | H | - | - | - | - | 2 | No | Yes | No | No | Free Bet | 0.0085 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Golden Gate | 6 | 5 | 2500 | H | Yes | Yes | No | No | 13 | Yes | Yes | No | No | No | 0.0061563 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Golden Nugget | 1 | 10 | 1000 | H | - | - | - | - | 1 | No | No | No | No | Super Fun 21 | 0.0116 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Golden Nugget | 1 | 10 | 1000 | H | - | - | - | - | 1 | No | No | Yes | No | Free Bet | 0.0196 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Golden Nugget | 6 | 10 | 1000 | H | - | - | - | - | 1 | No | No | No | No | Free Bet | 0.0102 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Golden Nugget | 1 | 10 | 1000 | H | Yes | No | No | No | 1 | No | Yes | Yes | No | No | 0.0169824 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Golden Nugget | 1 | 10 | 1000 | H | Yes | No | No | No | 2 | No | No | Yes | No | No | 0.0169824 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Golden Nugget | 2 | 10 | 2500 | H | Yes | No | No | No | 4 | No | No | No | No | No | 0.0060225 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Golden Nugget | 2 | 25 | 5000 | H | Yes | Yes | No | No | 3 | No | No | No | No | No | 0.0045688 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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Downtown Las Vegas Casinos
4 Queens
4 Queens offers some of the worst blackjack games in all of downtown Las Vegas. The casino floor is littered with 6-5 blackjack games. Players do not need to walk far to find 3-2 games with the same minimums. The double deck game does not allow double down after splitting.
Binion’s
Binion’s was once known as a place that gamblers could get a great deal on play with small wagers. That is no longer the case. Many of Binion’s games pay 6-5 on blackjack, even outside of the party pit. The casino offers a single deck game that pays 3-2 on blackjack, but the minimum bet is $25. A short walk to The D will find the same game with just a $5 bet.
California
California specializes in $5 double deck blackjack. Players cannot double after splitting in this game. There is one $3 minimum shoe game with the same rules. These games are consistent with other downtown Boyd Gaming properties.
Downtown Grand
Downtown Grand offers friendly rules in both its double deck and six deck games. The six deck game has a $5 minimum and allows doubling after the split, re-split aces and surrender. The double deck game allows doubling after the split with a $25 minimum. Both games hit a soft 17.
El Cortez
El Cortez once offered the best blackjack game in city. That was back when players could double on any two cards in its 3-2 single deck blackjack game. That is no longer the case as doubles are only allowed on 10 or 11 now. It is still one of the best games in Las Vegas. The El Cortez double deck has a $3 minimum and allows double down after splitting.
Fremont
Fremont offers the standard Boyd Gaming downtown rules. Players may not double down after splitting. The double deck has a $5 minimum bet, while the shoe has a $3 min.
Golden Gate
Golden Gate has a split personality. It is a standard casino during the day. At night, it turns into a party pit. The $5 minimum bet games have the same rules day and night. Players may double any two cards and after the split. Some tables have continuous shuffle machines.
Golden Nugget
Golden Nugget offers some great six deck games. Players may double after splitting, re-split aces and surrender, all with a $5 bet. The double deck game on the main floor has a $25 minimum but does not allow double down after splitting. A short walk to the high limit area allows doubling after the split and often has the same minimum bet. Golden Nugget offers the only single deck Free Bet Blackjack game in the city, however, it pays 6-5 on blackjack.
Main Street Station
Golden Nugget Blackjack Rules
Main Street Station is another downtown Boyd property that specializes is $5 minimum double deck blackjack. Double down after splitting is not allowed. Single deck Super Fun 21 is also spread.
Plaza
Plaza offers $5 blackjack on shoe games where double down after splitting is allowed. Players may not surrender or re-split aces. Do not be fooled by the game described as Most Liberal 21. It pays even money on all blackjacks that are not suited and hits a soft 17, making it far worse than traditional blackjack, even with its unusual rules.
The D
The D was once known as Fitzgeralds. It is now a sister property of Golden Gate that has dual personalities. During the day it resembles other table game pits. At night, it offers 3-2 blackjack payouts in a party pit setting. Players will find $5 games at all tables. This includes a single deck game that pays 3-2 on a blackjack, but only allows doubling on 10 and 11. The double deck game allows doubling on any two cards and after the split. The six deck game offers the same rules.
Vegas Club
Vegas Club is another property that becomes a party pit at night and still pays 3-2 on blackjack. Like its sister property Plaza, Vegas Club offers Most Liberal 21, which is not so liberal. Most minimum bets are $5. Vegas Club no longer offers video blackjack games.
Las Vegas Strip Casinos: Northern, Central, South
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Golden Nugget Lake Charles Blackjack Table Minimums
Built in 1948, the Golden Nugget is one of the “grand dames” of downtown Las Vegas. It occupies a prime piece of real estate near the head of Fremont Street and still draws a classy clientele. Part of the attraction is the Golden Nugget’s 55,845-square-foot gaming space, which features 96 gaming tables. Of those, 52 tables are dedicated wholly to the game of blackjack.
Golden Nugget Laughlin Blackjack Tournaments
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Golden Nugget Tables & Games
Golden Nugget Blackjack Tournament
There are plenty of blackjack variations offered at the Golden Nugget. The rules summary states, “On some games, the dealer must hit on a ‘soft’ 17,” but that should probably be updated to read “on all games with minimum stakes under $100.” Whether the game is double-deck or six-deck, if the table stakes start at $10, $25 or $50, the dealers hit on soft 17. The version with the lowest House edge at 0.45% is the $25~$5,000 double-deck game. Unlike the $10~$2,500 double-deck one, it allows doubling down after splitting (DAS).
All games with minimums under $50, including six-deck games dealt from a shoe, prohibit surrender and re-splitting of Aces (RSA). However, the $50~$2,500 six-deck table has both surrender and RSA for a House edge of 0.48%. Reports of a six-deck game with DAS, RSA and surrender, where the dealer stands on soft 17, could not be confirmed, unless they were referencing the $5 tables that have 6:5 payouts on natural blackjacks. All in all, seven other downtown casinos have been ranked better than the Golden Nugget in terms of average House edge at the blackjack tables.
The Golden Nugget has a small high-limit area featuring a couple of blackjack tables with stakes of $25~$5,000. Other blackjack variations in the pit area include Free Bet Blackjack for $10~$1,000, single-deck “Super Fun 21” and a number of tables offering a “Wild Aces” side bet, whereby players receiving an Ace as their first card may wager $5~$100 on the next card having a face value of 10 for a payout of 2:1.
What’s Different
Despite several changes in ownership over the years, the Golden Nugget has remained a traditional “old school” casino, focused on catering to sightseeing tourists and a cadre of loyal locals. (It’s tiny) (The lack of a) high-limit area is indicative of the focus on mainstream players, as is its choice of headliners for its showroom, mainly C&W stalwarts like Willie Nelson, Gretchen Wilson and Merle Haggard, among others. One of its most popular promotional tools over the years has been the “Golden Values Coupon Book.” Available upon request to staying guests, it’s a sizeable catalog of special discounts valued at $250 in dining, entertainment, retail and other resort offers. Of course, blackjack players will want to be sure to take advantage of the book’s Match Play Coupon worth $10.
24 Karat for Frequent Blackjack Players
The Golden Nugget’s player’s club is called 24 Karat. Membership is free and applies to all Golden Nugget properties, including Laughlin, Biloxi and Atlantic City. Upon signing up, new members are given the opportunity to “Spin & Win” for $5, $100 or $1,000 in Free Slot Play. Thereafter, they can earn cash, room nights, meals, show tickets and more whenever they play slot or table games. It’s also possible to qualify for VIP service and be invited to exclusive events and tournaments, too.
Every dollar wagered counts toward benefits, but blackjack players are reminded that “the extension of complimentaries is based on rated play (and) the Golden Nugget’s policy is to rate all table players wagering $25 or more each bet.” Rewards depend upon time at the table and average amount bet. One new reward introduced recently is “Play ‘Til You Lose” promotional chips that allow players to bet on blackjack and, if the bet wins, continue playing the promo chips like live money until they lose.
The Inside View
For many years now, the Golden Nugget has quietly been rewarding its blackjack players with invitations to seasonal tournaments, typically offering $100,000 in prize money up for grabs. The entry fee is usually $500, the grand prize is $50,000 and the top 26 finishers all end up in the money, with consolation awards ranging from $500 to $15,000. There are also bonus drawings for special prizes such as watches or promo chips. The events have themes like “Bada Bing,” “Super Hero” or “Flashback.” Special room rates are offered to participants, along with three days of activities, from a welcome reception to raffles and complimentary Continental breakfasts.
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