Where best BJ in Vegas?

Wish I'd discovered this site months ago! Leaving for Vegas today. Understand house table rules/limits have changed since last visit. Used to stay at Circus Circus (echh!) just to be near Slots of Fun single deck game. I need help with info on where to play! What casinos have best offering/rules/lowest edge? Fiesta? specifically, I've been digesting Fred Renzey's "Blackjack Bluebook II" for several weeks, and practicing accordingly. But with limited time available, feel the need to narrow the focus on a specific game and rules. Will I find single deck, double deck,etc. and where? I want to study and practice the specific game that I know I can find - and therefore implement the strategies Mr. Renzey discusses. Otherwise, I'm on overload! Wish I'd been able to start BJ school sooner. Lesson 18 hits home with the need practice the exact game you're going to be playing and adjust flashcards accordingly.

Thanks TerrellJ info on "Blackbelt on BJ" at BarnesandNoble.com. Now I have something to spend my months old $26 credit on.

Hello IB -- I've heard the best BJ to be had in Vegas is at The Crazy Horse (just kidding, that's an, um, "gentlemen's club"). Seriously, though, generally speaking, you'll find the best rules downtown, away from the Strip. I was just there 3 weeks ago. While there may be exceptions to what I saw, most of the casinos on the strip that offer single deck have minimum bet limits of $10 (I saw a few $5 tables, but they were ALWAYS packed to full capacity). Also, the vast majority of single deck games I saw on the Strip paid just 6 to 5 on a natural, which completely sucks. Downtown, however, you can always and easily find a $5 single deck game paying 3 to 2 for a natural. Their rules are much more liberal. I had great luck at the Four Queens, and the Golden Nugget, and not bad luck at all at Fitzgerald's, The Fremont, and the Las Vegas Club. All are on Fremont Street, which is pretty cool. They're all within a 5 minute walk of each other, too.

So go to the Strip for the glamour, the finest dining, the shows, the clubs, and the people-watching. But save your serious gambling and the bulk of your bankroll for downtown gaming.

Best of luck to you!

Skip the Strip if you are looking for good games with low minimums. Downtown will provide adequate to less-than-adequate SD at Las Vegas Club, Golden Gate, Golden Nugget, Four Queens, Lady Luck, and El Cortez. The latter two are normally a waste as they require a walking or driving into areas that are best avoided. Four Queens has a marginal SD, but they have a history for sweating any chip larger than a silver slot token. I have not yet played the SD at Golden nugget, but my understanding is that it is a $25 min. Golden Gate has not been better than marginal in a long time. With the loss of Binion's, Las Vegas Club is one of the only locations worth playing in my book.

All of this being said, I do not consider 6 to 5 SD a playable game, nor 50% DD. Be careful, choose games wisely, and do not compromise your choice of games.

Positive Expectations,
HJ

some of the single deck games downtown, and the six deck shoe games on the strip with S17 and late surrender. The Palms has playable shoe games. I almost never play double deck anymore.

Hello

Although the SD at balleys pays 6:5, you can double after a split which is something you cannot do downtown. Not sure how this pans out technically but just another thing to consider.

All new players should read the link below.

"Although the SD at balleys pays 6:5, you can double after a split which is something you cannot do downtown. Not sure how this pans out technically but just another thing to consider." wilburjones

Before playing any game you should know "how this pans out technically."

The house advantage on 6:5 BJ (H17 DAS) is 1.45% AGAINST you.

Take a deep breath; pick up your money; step away from the table.

recommends 6:5 blackjack in response to a question about the best blackjack games.

I guess it kind of proves a lot of people are too eager to give their money to the casinos and will play no matter how bad the game is.

6:5 BJ along with Mindplay. The only thing they are missing is customers.

What disadvantage does single deck even money BJ give you delt down to the last card?

to me it was more of a response followed by a question....

3:2 with no DAS?

Just curious.....

What disadvantage does single deck even money BJ give you dealt down to the last card?

A terrible 2.5% house advantage against a basic strategy player.

Your original post seemed to say that you felt being allowed to DAS would decrease the house advantage considerably from not being able to DAS.

I believe that the DAS "option" is only worth about 0.10% to the player. If I'm wrong no doubt this will get corrected. :)

The point being nothing is going to over come the 6:5 payout on any SD game generally being offered today. Stay away. You are better off playng a decent 6D shoe.

QUESTION: Anyone know the EHE% on a SD 6:5 game dealt to the bottom? Just curious.

Yes, it's 1.45% for H17 DAS rules. The edge doesn't change based on whether it is dealt to the bottom.

for a counter?

If you can get a huge spread (maybe 1-50), can side count 7's, 8's, and 9's, know many indices, and are familiar with end play, it could be profitable. Not likely to get these conditions for long with any serious money in action. One place in North Las Vegas still occasionally offers this game, but with a table limit of only $50.

I'm reminded of a casino in Pahrump, NV, that has since been burned out -- literally.

The Mountain View Casino/Bowling Alley advertised a D10 single deck game, 3 to 2 blackjacks, that was dealt to the last card. However, a few skilled players made their appearances at the little casino. Soon, when anything more than the typical $2 or $3 bet by their local ploppies hit the felt, the shuffling was early and often. The "dealt to the last card" then became only when known suckers played. The pit got so paranoid that a shuffle could be forced in a negative deck by simply increasing a bet. But, with the pit crew lacking any skills, the game was playable for quite awhile thereafter using another method of play. The pit finally closed down entirely, though supposedly temporarily. I was happy to have done my small part in hastening its demise. Not long after that, a fire destroyed the joint, and it has not been rebuilt.