London Blackjack
Marginal. The Brit game is very different in the fact that the player is heavily restricted on doubling down and splitting. For example, you can not double S16 vs. bust. Most pit bosses there will tell you that the rules are written to "protect the player," because Brits LOVE to gamble, and the government fears they'll throw money away. Largely, it's true.
The rules allow you to double ONLY on 9, 10, or 11, and you can NOT split certain pairs (I think it's fours and fives, and maybe tens, but I can't remember.)
The no-hole card thing leads to some weird variations. Watch yourself on dealer A up with no hole card, especially on doubles and splits. What can happen gets bizarre. In certain instances, you can lose the original bet but NOT the double or split bet. ASK during the middle of play if you have questions -- they're used to "different" Americans, and are more than happy to explain.
The playing atmosphere is nice. Dealers can tell you anything about the British game (unlike some places in the US, where they're not allowed to give advice). Drinking at the tables is a recent phenomenon .. so recent, in fact, that we had to have a separate table BEHIND the table for our drinks (they haven't yet figured out the cup holder).
You do have to register before you go. You can do it on line. Bring your passport with you...there's no admission charge, and you do have to pay for drinks. Registration takes a few days -- you have to fax a signature and maybe a photo. Google your way to "London Clubs International" for more information and a decent list of all the casinos the company owns and how to register. LCI is the MGM Grand of the UK.
I say blow off the counting because of the restrictive rules and use BS, which can vary greatly with all the restrictions. I still made some money playing uaing just a modified British BS .. and, frankly, counting when I can't split certain pairs or double on most cards is not worth the brain power. Just play for the experience.
Interestingly, most dealers there are young -- as young as 18. Most have never been to Vegas, and are fascinated with tales of counters and the American game, specifically Vegas. Pit bosses are chatty, too. Most of them want to work in Vegas, and will ask you about the culture of working and playing onthe Strip. They're not used to how aggressive it is. Play and talk long enough, and the PB's will buy you a drink in some cases.
We went to the Golden Nugget just of Picadilly Circus. Clean place, polite staff, decent snack bar, lots of table games (and very few slots, which was refreshing!)
Minimum table was five pounds, which is a ten-dollar table. Natural pays 3-2 (no 6-5 wimpy crap over the pond!)
