Yes, understanding the basics of blackjack is relatively easy. But, before you can walk away a winner, you need a deeper understanding of the nuances of the game and casino protocol.
Finding a table: Strategic seating
- The strategy charts in and tables presented in earlier chapters will decrease the house against you when you play blackjack to around 0.5% (rule dependent). In this chapter, I'll show you five additional techniques that could further reduce the house edge.
- There are two exotic games – Blackjack Switch and Free Bet Blackjack. On the main casino floor, access $25 games with 3 to 2 payouts. High limit blackjack has two decks and offers the standard double down option before and after splitting. The lowest house edge found in this game is 0.25532%.
Blackjack begins by selecting a seat at the table. Typically, a blackjack table allows for five to seven players. Whenever you see an empty seat at a blackjack table, you may assume it's for your taking (unless chips or a coat are holding the spot for a player who just stepped away for a moment or unless some player is playing two hands). In most cases, joining a game in progress is okay, although some tables have a No-Midshoe Entry policy (usually marked by a sign at the table), which means you have to wait until the shuffle before playing.
A blackjack, or natural, is a total of 21 in your first two cards. A blackjack is therefore an Ace and any ten-valued card, with the additional requirement that these be your first two cards. If you split a pair of Aces for example, and then draw a ten-valued card on one of the Aces, this is not a blackjack, but rather a total of 21.
Blackjack House Edge Introduction. Enter any set of blackjack rules from the options below. The house edge under proper basic strategy for these rules is indicated in the box below. Rules & Strategy Winning at Blackjack. Like many of our favorite casino games, the exact origins of blackjack are forever lost to history. One of the first recorded descriptions of the game places its appearance in France during the 17th century, where it thrilled gamblers under its simple, yet appropriate appellation 'vingt-et-un.'.
For your first trip to the tables, you're better off finding a nearly full table. Although the number of players at the table hardly affects the odds on your hands, the game is much quicker with fewer players. A fuller table gives you more time to think about each hand without being rushed or pressured. Ikbc poker 2 review.
Seeking single-deck tables
Without getting into a lot of math, here's a good rule to follow: The fewer decks the casino uses, the better for you. Your chances for success increase if you can find a single-deck game. Most casinos worldwide have gone to six or more decks in an attempt to thwart card counters (skilled players who keep track of cards). But some places still deal blackjack the old-fashioned way — with one deck of 52 cards. Most of the casinos in northern Nevada (Reno, Lake Tahoe, and Wendover) still use one deck of cards at many of their blackjack tables. If you aren't sure how many decks the casino is using, just ask.
Eyeing table bet levels
Before you actually sit down, look for the table's minimum and maximum betting limits. Every table has these fixed limits, which the casino usually posts on a small sign located on the table to the right of the dealer.
You may sit down at a table where the placard says $5–$500, which means you have to bet at least $5 on every hand and can never bet more than $500 on any one spot. Typically, the higher the minimum starting bet, the higher the maximum bet for that table.
When you're starting out, find the lowest minimum table in the casino and begin there. Making smaller bets keeps you out of trouble until you understand the game better — and you're less likely to end up sitting next to a high roller (who may not appreciate a novice at his table).
Purchasing chips
After you select your seat, you need to buy chips from the dealer. Select the amount of money you want to start with and lay your cash on the felt in front of you. The dealer changes your cash into chips and slides them across the felt to you.
Don't hand your money directly to the dealer; doing so is a breach of etiquette and brands you as a greenhorn.
After you receive your chips, leave them on the table in front of you. Chips come in several denominations and are color-coded. Although every casino uses distinctive chips, most colors are standard.
Start off with a small amount of chips. A good approach is to cash in no more than 25 percent of your daily bankroll for chips. For example, if you budget $400 for the day, buy in for no more than $100 to start. This way, when you're losing, you minimize the temptation to bet more than you planned. You can always buy more chips later if necessary.
Homing in on house rules
Blackjack rules are fairly similar worldwide — with a few variations. Sometimes a small placard sitting on the table indicates where the casino stands in regard to certain scenarios. If you don't see a placard, you may ask the dealer what the house rules are, even when you're in the middle of a hand.
Does the dealer hit on a soft 17?
A soft hand is any hand that counts an ace as 11 rather than 1. The hand is soft because it can't bust on the next card. For example, if you hit (take another card) a soft 18 (an ace and a 7) with a 6, the ace automatically reverts to 1 (rather than 11), and the hand total is now 14 (rather than 24, which would be a bust).
Whether a dealer hits on a soft 17 is usually spelled out in bold white letters right on the felt. Normally the dealer counts an ace as 11 anytime he has a hand of 17 or more. However, about half the casinos worldwide deviate from this rule on soft 17 (an ace and a 6). In those cases, the ace counts as 1, and the dealer hits his soft 17.
Is doubling down restricted to certain card combinations?
In Las Vegas, casinos typically allow doubling down, an option that allows you to double your bet, on any two cards, but other places may restrict this move to just 10s or 11s. The placard probably won't list restrictions to doubling down. If you aren't sure whether restrictions are in place, don't be afraid to ask the dealer, even if you're in the middle of a hand.
Can you surrender?
A playing option known as surrender is an extremely profitable option for you as a player, but not many casinos offer it. When you surrender, you lose half of your initial bet and give up your hand. For example, if you bet $10 and are dealt a 16, you can surrender and only lose $5 (half your bet) rather than risk the entire $10 on a bad hand. Once again, the placard may not readily advertise this rule variation, so always ask if surrender is available.
Dealing what's in the cards
All right, you're situated at the table, you've made your bet in the betting box, and your heart is pumping like a jackhammer. The dealer flashes you a warm smile, wishes you good luck, shuffles the deck, and asks you to cut the cards.
If you're playing a one- or two-deck game, the dealer holds the cards in his hands and deals you two cards face-down. You can pick up these cards, but make sure you only hold them in one hand.
However, the majority of blackjack games today use six or eight decks. In these cases, the dealer deals your two cards face-up from a shoe (a boxlike device that houses the cards).
Whether your cards are dealt face-up or face-down really doesn't matter — dealers follow strict rules, and seeing the values of your cards doesn't influence them. Dealers' hands always start off with one card exposed and one card hidden, regardless of the number of decks.
When it comes to playing blackjack in Las Vegas, the options are endless. Every casino in Sin City offers blackjack gaming. Who provides the best game selection? Where can you find the lowest house edge and most entertaining games? At OUSC, we took to Las Vegas streets to find out where players should go for blackjack gaming. With our exclusive Las Vegas Blackjack Survey, we were able to find the best casinos to visit to find the best blackjack tables.
We found that many of the MGM Casinos located in South Las Vegas Strip are the best of the best when it comes to blackjack gaming during our research. In general, the casinos operated by MGM Resorts are considered the best in Las Vegas and around the world. From the Aria to the MGM Grand, the MGM brand's casinos provide the best house edge, blackjack variants, and quality rules for an enjoyable experience.
Best Blackjack Casinos in Las Vegas
The following Las Vegas casinos offer the best gameplay experience for real money blackjack enthusiasts:
1. Aria
Casino House Rules Blackjack Free
One of our top recommendations for blackjack gaming in Las Vegas, the Aria offers games for high rollers and mid-range players. Take part in $100 tables that stand on all 17s or play six-deck blackjack with surrender and re-split aces rules.
Most blackjack games here pay 6-5 odds, with $15 Blackjack Switch on offer. The lowest house edge at the venue is 0.25532%.
2. Excalibur
The blackjack rules at Excalibur are relatively standard for casinos belonging to MGM. Players will find three quality options for blackjack games, including the $25 double-deck game that allows for a double down before and after splitting.
Blackjack Switch is on offer with $10 minimums and six-deck offering a $15 minimum bet. The lowest house edge at the casino is .58000%.
3. Luxor
Two versions of blackjack are offered at this Las Vegas casino—the double-deck and the eight-deck version. Players will find the best game on offer is the $25 double-deck, with high limit games featuring six-decks and $100 minimum wagers.
There is a high limit area for blackjack, but it is only open during peak business hours. The lowest house edge found in the game here is 0.45688%.
4. Mandalay Bay
At the Mandalay Bay, players have access to several blackjack variants. There are two exotic games – Blackjack Switch and Free Bet Blackjack. On the main casino floor, access $25 games with 3 to 2 payouts.
High limit blackjack has two decks and offers the standard double down option before and after splitting. The lowest house edge found in this game is 0.25532%.
5. MGM Grand
When playing blackjack at the MGM Grand, players will find the casino offers the lowest limit stand. There are over 25 tables featuring a six-deck shoe where the dealers are supposed to hit soft 17, so this is the most commonly played Blackjack game at this casino.
Casino House Rules Blackjack Card Game
During slow periods, tables start with a minimum of $25. Games offer double and six deck rules. The lowest house edge here is 0.25532%.
6. Park MGM
According to our survey, the Park MGM offers quality blackjack gaming, but are currently under construction as the venue is being remodeled. As of right now, the venue is offering a $25 double-deck during the night-time hours. All games will hit soft 17.
There is a high limit area, but it is closed now during the remodeling phases. The lowest house edge here is 0.45688%.
7. New York-New York
Low rollers will find the New York New York venue of MGM to be the best for low minimums. The casino currently offers $10 3-2 games and is the only property owned by MGM Resorts that does so.
Casino House Rules Blackjack Game
High limit games with $50 minimums offer surrender and double down options. All blackjack games at the casino hit soft 17. The lowest house edge here is 0.45688%.
8. Bellagio
For the best blackjack game at this casino, players need to visit the double deck tables. Players can choose to double down before and after splitting. This game has a $100 minimum bet and will stand on all 17s.
During off-peak times, players can find the games for a $50 minimum. Another game on offer that players enjoy is Blackjack Switch. The lowest house edge here is 0.25532%.
9. The Mirage
At the Mirage, players will find 3-2 payout games with $25 minimum buy-ins. There is a double-deck game with the same $25 minimum with double down allowed before and after splitting. In this game, players hit a soft 17.
When you play the $100 version, the game will stand on all 17s. The lowest house edge here is 0.25532%.
10. Circus Circus
Circus Circus offers three basic games: single deck, double deck, and a six-deck shoe. At this casino, the venue recently decided to lower the minimum wager for their double-deck game. To play, only a $15 minimum is required.
You may sit down at a table where the placard says $5–$500, which means you have to bet at least $5 on every hand and can never bet more than $500 on any one spot. Typically, the higher the minimum starting bet, the higher the maximum bet for that table.
When you're starting out, find the lowest minimum table in the casino and begin there. Making smaller bets keeps you out of trouble until you understand the game better — and you're less likely to end up sitting next to a high roller (who may not appreciate a novice at his table).
Purchasing chips
After you select your seat, you need to buy chips from the dealer. Select the amount of money you want to start with and lay your cash on the felt in front of you. The dealer changes your cash into chips and slides them across the felt to you.
Don't hand your money directly to the dealer; doing so is a breach of etiquette and brands you as a greenhorn.
After you receive your chips, leave them on the table in front of you. Chips come in several denominations and are color-coded. Although every casino uses distinctive chips, most colors are standard.
Start off with a small amount of chips. A good approach is to cash in no more than 25 percent of your daily bankroll for chips. For example, if you budget $400 for the day, buy in for no more than $100 to start. This way, when you're losing, you minimize the temptation to bet more than you planned. You can always buy more chips later if necessary.
Homing in on house rules
Blackjack rules are fairly similar worldwide — with a few variations. Sometimes a small placard sitting on the table indicates where the casino stands in regard to certain scenarios. If you don't see a placard, you may ask the dealer what the house rules are, even when you're in the middle of a hand.
Does the dealer hit on a soft 17?
A soft hand is any hand that counts an ace as 11 rather than 1. The hand is soft because it can't bust on the next card. For example, if you hit (take another card) a soft 18 (an ace and a 7) with a 6, the ace automatically reverts to 1 (rather than 11), and the hand total is now 14 (rather than 24, which would be a bust).
Whether a dealer hits on a soft 17 is usually spelled out in bold white letters right on the felt. Normally the dealer counts an ace as 11 anytime he has a hand of 17 or more. However, about half the casinos worldwide deviate from this rule on soft 17 (an ace and a 6). In those cases, the ace counts as 1, and the dealer hits his soft 17.
Is doubling down restricted to certain card combinations?
In Las Vegas, casinos typically allow doubling down, an option that allows you to double your bet, on any two cards, but other places may restrict this move to just 10s or 11s. The placard probably won't list restrictions to doubling down. If you aren't sure whether restrictions are in place, don't be afraid to ask the dealer, even if you're in the middle of a hand.
Can you surrender?
A playing option known as surrender is an extremely profitable option for you as a player, but not many casinos offer it. When you surrender, you lose half of your initial bet and give up your hand. For example, if you bet $10 and are dealt a 16, you can surrender and only lose $5 (half your bet) rather than risk the entire $10 on a bad hand. Once again, the placard may not readily advertise this rule variation, so always ask if surrender is available.
Dealing what's in the cards
All right, you're situated at the table, you've made your bet in the betting box, and your heart is pumping like a jackhammer. The dealer flashes you a warm smile, wishes you good luck, shuffles the deck, and asks you to cut the cards.
If you're playing a one- or two-deck game, the dealer holds the cards in his hands and deals you two cards face-down. You can pick up these cards, but make sure you only hold them in one hand.
However, the majority of blackjack games today use six or eight decks. In these cases, the dealer deals your two cards face-up from a shoe (a boxlike device that houses the cards).
Whether your cards are dealt face-up or face-down really doesn't matter — dealers follow strict rules, and seeing the values of your cards doesn't influence them. Dealers' hands always start off with one card exposed and one card hidden, regardless of the number of decks.
When it comes to playing blackjack in Las Vegas, the options are endless. Every casino in Sin City offers blackjack gaming. Who provides the best game selection? Where can you find the lowest house edge and most entertaining games? At OUSC, we took to Las Vegas streets to find out where players should go for blackjack gaming. With our exclusive Las Vegas Blackjack Survey, we were able to find the best casinos to visit to find the best blackjack tables.
We found that many of the MGM Casinos located in South Las Vegas Strip are the best of the best when it comes to blackjack gaming during our research. In general, the casinos operated by MGM Resorts are considered the best in Las Vegas and around the world. From the Aria to the MGM Grand, the MGM brand's casinos provide the best house edge, blackjack variants, and quality rules for an enjoyable experience.
Best Blackjack Casinos in Las Vegas
The following Las Vegas casinos offer the best gameplay experience for real money blackjack enthusiasts:
1. Aria
Casino House Rules Blackjack Free
One of our top recommendations for blackjack gaming in Las Vegas, the Aria offers games for high rollers and mid-range players. Take part in $100 tables that stand on all 17s or play six-deck blackjack with surrender and re-split aces rules.
Most blackjack games here pay 6-5 odds, with $15 Blackjack Switch on offer. The lowest house edge at the venue is 0.25532%.
2. Excalibur
The blackjack rules at Excalibur are relatively standard for casinos belonging to MGM. Players will find three quality options for blackjack games, including the $25 double-deck game that allows for a double down before and after splitting.
Blackjack Switch is on offer with $10 minimums and six-deck offering a $15 minimum bet. The lowest house edge at the casino is .58000%.
3. Luxor
Two versions of blackjack are offered at this Las Vegas casino—the double-deck and the eight-deck version. Players will find the best game on offer is the $25 double-deck, with high limit games featuring six-decks and $100 minimum wagers.
There is a high limit area for blackjack, but it is only open during peak business hours. The lowest house edge found in the game here is 0.45688%.
4. Mandalay Bay
At the Mandalay Bay, players have access to several blackjack variants. There are two exotic games – Blackjack Switch and Free Bet Blackjack. On the main casino floor, access $25 games with 3 to 2 payouts.
High limit blackjack has two decks and offers the standard double down option before and after splitting. The lowest house edge found in this game is 0.25532%.
5. MGM Grand
When playing blackjack at the MGM Grand, players will find the casino offers the lowest limit stand. There are over 25 tables featuring a six-deck shoe where the dealers are supposed to hit soft 17, so this is the most commonly played Blackjack game at this casino.
Casino House Rules Blackjack Card Game
During slow periods, tables start with a minimum of $25. Games offer double and six deck rules. The lowest house edge here is 0.25532%.
6. Park MGM
According to our survey, the Park MGM offers quality blackjack gaming, but are currently under construction as the venue is being remodeled. As of right now, the venue is offering a $25 double-deck during the night-time hours. All games will hit soft 17.
There is a high limit area, but it is closed now during the remodeling phases. The lowest house edge here is 0.45688%.
7. New York-New York
Low rollers will find the New York New York venue of MGM to be the best for low minimums. The casino currently offers $10 3-2 games and is the only property owned by MGM Resorts that does so.
Casino House Rules Blackjack Game
High limit games with $50 minimums offer surrender and double down options. All blackjack games at the casino hit soft 17. The lowest house edge here is 0.45688%.
8. Bellagio
For the best blackjack game at this casino, players need to visit the double deck tables. Players can choose to double down before and after splitting. This game has a $100 minimum bet and will stand on all 17s.
During off-peak times, players can find the games for a $50 minimum. Another game on offer that players enjoy is Blackjack Switch. The lowest house edge here is 0.25532%.
9. The Mirage
At the Mirage, players will find 3-2 payout games with $25 minimum buy-ins. There is a double-deck game with the same $25 minimum with double down allowed before and after splitting. In this game, players hit a soft 17.
When you play the $100 version, the game will stand on all 17s. The lowest house edge here is 0.25532%.
10. Circus Circus
Circus Circus offers three basic games: single deck, double deck, and a six-deck shoe. At this casino, the venue recently decided to lower the minimum wager for their double-deck game. To play, only a $15 minimum is required.
The game pays 3-2 on blackjack and allows players to double down before and after splitting. This is the best blackjack choice at the venue. The lowest house edge here is 0.45688%.
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Best Las Vegas Blackjack Tables
The OUSC team created this exclusive infographic to help our readers better understand where they can find the most popular blackjack tables in Sin City.
Play Blackjack At Our Recommended Casinos
As you can see, there are many choices when it comes to blackjack at MGM Resorts properties. When visiting any of OUSC recommended casinos in Las Vegas, you can easily find a quality blackjack to enjoy, be it an odd variant or low house edge. Take a look at our Las Vegas Blackjack Survey to see a full rundown of the casinos in Las Vegas. Use the information to your advantage during your next trip to Sin City!
