Best Blackjack On The Strip In Vegas

Blackjack on the Vegas Strip ain’t what it used to be. Sure, it’s the most played game in casinos. There are more blackjack tables on the Vegas Strip than any other game. According to the Nevada Gaming Control Board, there were 1,196 blackjack tables on the Vegas Strip as of December 2019. That’s slightly more than 40% of the 2,850 table games in the tourist corridor.

Unfortunately, the actual blackjack games on the Vegas Strip don’t offer the same experience they used to. Casinos have increased their house edge by changing the rules of the game. Many blackjack purists won’t even play the blackjack games available on the Vegas Strip today.

Best Blackjack In Vegas

El Cortez Hotel & Casino in Downtown. Every year, intrepid gamblers head out into the brutal heat. Blackjack on the Vegas Strip ain’t what it used to be. Sure, it’s the most played game in casinos. There are more blackjack tables on the Vegas Strip than any other game. According to the Nevada Gaming Control Board, there were 1,196 blackjack tables on the Vegas Strip as of December 2019.That’s slightly more than 40% of the 2,850 table games in the tourist corridor.

Gaming researcher, John Mehaffy’s recent survey of blackjack on the Vegas Strip shows that there are 568 blackjack tables that pay 6:5 when a player is dealt a natural blackjack. In 2011, Mehaffey’s research shows there were only 199 of these tables. This information shows that almost half the blackjack games on the Vegas Strip pay 6:5 for a natural blackjack.

The number of 6:5 blackjack games on the Vegas Strip is even worse for tourists and recreational gamblers. The majority of these games on the Vegas Strip have a minimum bet under $25. Recreational blackjack players tend to play lower limits games and are the players affected most by the proliferation of 6:5 blackjack in Las Vegas over the past decade.

Why 6:5 Blackjack Is Bad

Understanding why 6:5 blackjack is bad should help any bettor understand why this game hurts their gambling experience. A 6:5 blackjack game has a 1.39% higher house advantage than a 3:2 game. The house edge is even larger if more traditional blackjack rules are changed.

Let’s look to math to help explain the difference between the two payouts. On average a player will receive about 3.5 blackjacks every hour. On average, a player will receive $52.50 from a 3:2 blackjack game each hour. Someone playing a 6:5 blackjack game will only receive $42 in that same hour of play.

The $10.50 difference is more than just money in the pocket. Over time, this means that the bankroll of a blackjack player won’t last as long if they play the game with the higher house edge. This means that a blackjack player will likely spend less time playing the casino game they prefer.

In essence, playing 6:5 blackjack will lead to fewer casino fun times. Nobody visits Las Vegas for less fun.

The Best Blackjack Games Under $25 On The Vegas Strip

Not everyone cares about playing casino games in Las Vegas with the best odds. That’s understandable since the average trip to Las Vegas is about two days. Traveling to a casino for the best odds may not make sense with so little time.

Having said that, maybe gambling in casinos with good blackjack games can become part of your Vegas vacation planning. Playing the game with a lower house edge should mean playing more blackjack and more fun. We all like more fun!

Here are the best blackjack games on the Vegas Strip according to the 2020 blackjack survey from Mehaffey. Visit the website for much more information on all the blackjack games in Las Vegas.

House Edge 0.46%
Treasure Island – 16 tables

House Edge 0.57%
Bally’s – 7 tables
Caesars Palace – 12 tables
Cromwell – 7 tables
Flamingo – 2 tables
Harrah’s – 5 tables
The Linq – 2 tables
Paris Las Vegas – 15 tables
Planet Hollywood – 17 tables

Where Is The Best Place To Play Blackjack In Vegas

House Edge 0.64%
Circus Circus – 4 tables
Sahara – 3 tables
The Strat – 5 tables

There are dozens of blackjack options in Las Vegas. The choices range from the number of decks dealt, whether double down after splitting, surrender and re-split aces are permitted, blackjack paying 3-2 or 6-5, as well as video blackjack and variants. We took to the Las Vegas Strip, downtown, and the entire locals market to find the best and worst games available.

The OnlineUnitedStatesCasinos complete list below will help you find the game you’re looking for and which tables to avoid. These include sections related to location and type of game.

Blackjack Casino & Table Locations

North Las Vegas Strip

Our Las Vegas blackjack surveys break the Strip into three sections. The North Strip blackjack survey includes all casinos from Treasure Island up to Stratosphere. The North end of the Las Vegas Strip houses a modest amount of blackjack tables, with roughly five tables at each casino, some with better rules than others.

Central Las Vegas Strip

The Central Strip survey includes all blackjack casinos from Planet Hollywood and Cosmopolitan up to Harrah’s and Mirage. These casinos tend to offer higher limit tables with much better player rules. With Eleven casinos to choose from, they all offer a variety of good and bad blackjack tables.

Best Blackjack In Vegas 3 2

South Las Vegas Strip

Our South Strip blackjack survey includes all casinos south of Harmon. This runs from Aria down to Mandalay Bay. These are some of the more popular casinos on the strip, offering blackjack players a lot more than just the gaming tables. The majority of blackjack games are 6 and 8 decks, with a few 2-deck high-roller tables available.

Downtown Las Vegas

Our downtown Las Vegas section lists all blackjack casinos on Fremont Street and anything within walking distance of it. This includes Downtown Grand, California, and Main Street Station. This is the “old” part of Las Vegas, but you can often find some great action at the blackjack tables when downtown.

Locals / Off Strip Blackjack

The local blackjack survey includes any casino in the Las Vegas market that is not considered to be on the Strip or downtown. This ranges from Boulder Highway to Red Rock, and to properties that are within walking distance of Las Vegas Blvd. If you plan on playing blackjack at these casinos, be prepared to stay at the hotel overnight.

Las Vegas Blackjack Games

Single Deck Blackjack

There are only two single deck blackjack games in Las Vegas that pay 3-2. El Cortez offers a $5 game that permits double down on any two cards. Silverton has a single deck game that only has double down on 10 and 11. Neither permits double down after splitting. All other Las Vegas single deck blackjack games pay 6-5.

Double Deck Blackjack

The best blackjack games in Las Vegas casinos tend to be double deck. The best is at M Resort. It has a $50 minimum bet and stands on all 17s. Players may double down on any two cards and after splitting. This game also permits re-split aces. There are several casinos on the Las Vegas Strip that offer this game without re-split aces.

Six-Deck Blackjack

The best six-deck blackjack games in Las Vegas stand on all 17s. These great tables also have double down before and after splitting, surrender, and re-split aces. Treasure Island offers these tables for $25. For $50, players will find it at M Resort MGM Grand. Higher-end MGM properties have the game for $100.

Video Blackjack in Las Vegas

Vegas video blackjack was once a great way to get favorable rules for lower limits. Those days are over in Las Vegas. Most video blackjack machines pay 6-5 and you won’t find much better odds around town. The exceptions are at The D and Venetian, where you can still find video blackjack games that pay 3-2.

Blackjack Variants

Best Blackjack On The Strip

Get a complete list of all blackjack variants dealt in Las Vegas. Games include Blackjack Switch, Free Bet Blackjack, and Super Fun 21. There are some interesting blackjack games that should be tried at least once, even if their rules and odds are not favorable, they may be entertaining to play.

How To Win Blackjack In Vegas

Contact the Vegas Survey Team

If you have updates about Las Vegas casino blackjack games, online blackjack for real money or any comments regarding the exclusive survey contact us at @OUSC_Official or send us an email at [email protected].

Best Vegas Casinos For Blackjack

Some house edge information in the blackjack survey was determined by using the Wizard of Odds Blackjack Calculator.