Vegas advice for first timer...

[TonyDee]

Hey everyone,

I will be going to Vegas this Friday and it will be my first visit (I've been before but I was only 17). Anyways, as far as skill goes I know basic strategy down cold for both single and multiple decks. In Vegas, I would like to focus the majority of my limited bankroll ($700usd) on single deck games since they can't be found in Toronto and from what I've read it's better for the player. Regarding counting cards, I know how to do it but I've never done it. Since counting cards takes practice, I've never been able to simply because the Pen % at the nearest casino is terrible! Because of the that I consider myself just an intermediate player who progession bets on occasion.

First Question: I would just like to know where are the best single deck 3:2 games?

Second Question: How do you guys know the rules of the tables i.e. DAS, RSA etc... does it say it somewhere? In all honesty, I don't even know the rules at the Casino I've been playing at simply because there aren't that many $5 tables so it's a take it or leave it situation. Where do I find the rules?

Second Question: is the basic strategy for single deck BJ the same for DD?

 

[BAMA21]

I hope you have a great time. Vegas is wonderful. I answered a couple of your questions in another thread here; but as far as knowing the rules, you can go to bj21.com and sign up for "Current Blackjack News", which reviews all of the casinos each month and publishes the games they are offering. You can probably also pick up a copy of the latest edition in Vegas at their bookstore. The details are on the website.

I also use Trackjack at trackjack.com and/or advantageplayer.com. That is a player-review database.

And, of course, you can always just ask questions and lurk on the popular BJ message boards, like here, where there is often discussion of the games.

Basically, however, on a limited bankroll, you'll probably want to get off the strip, or at least away from the mega resorts on the strip. Go there and see them. They are worth the time. Just don't play in those casinos. YOu'll find some lower limit games on either end of the strip. My favorite place to actually play on the strip is the Stratosphere; but I mostly play Double Exposure there. I doubt you'll find any single-deck on the strip that pays better than 6:5 on a natural.

This advice may go against some of the other opinions on the board; but if you're not going to count anyway, my advice would be to play SuperFun 21 off the strip. That is a single-deck game with the most liberal rules you'll find anywhere. The down side is that naturals pay only even money. However, a player natural always wins. In my experience, it is hard to go more than four or five hands without a win, especially if you make good use of the multi-card surrender option. If you're playing a progression, this isn't a bad game, in my opinion. I have had some big losses, because I have hit some 7 or 8 hand losing streaks. But I have also sat and played for hours at a $5 table, just piling up the chips.

You might also find a shoe game with good rules better for your money than a single-deck with crappy rules.

 

[Mikeaber]

There are (or were two months ago) 3:2 single deck games at Binions and 4-Queens down on Fremont in the Downtown area. You will find more double deck games though.

And, no, the basic strategy is not exactly the same for double deck and single deck. You can check the differences here on this site or at www.wizardofodds.com. The differences are pretty subtle, but they are there.

 

[TonyDee]

thanks for the info. Can you also tell me whether surrender is allowed at most of the casinos? I've been to only 4 casinos and none offered this option, I've also read in several books that Casinos in Vegas rarely offer a surrender option.

Can you please inform me with more information?

 

[TonyDee]

And, no, the basic strategy is not exactly the same for double deck and single deck. You can check the differences here on this site or at www.wizardofodds.com. The differences are pretty subtle, but they are there.

just checked this site and learned that the BS strategy for a multiple deck is the same for a Double deck with one minor variation (D on 9 when dealer shows a 2)

 

[BAMA21]

Most Vegas casinos do not offer surrender on regular blackjack games, except at higher limits. I don't recall seeing any cheap single-deck or double-deck games with surrender. Now, once you start getting into higher limits, shoe games, and non-strip locations, you can find it from time to time. For surrender, I mostly play SuperFun21.

 

[TonyDee]

just got back yesterday from my Vegas trip and I had a blast. I played the majority of my trip at the Plaza playing DD. FYI, the Plaze is officially the only casino in Las Vegas who stands on all 17s!! I'm not 100% but I was told by every pit boss on the strip and downtown that I visited who said that the Plaza was the only one.

the dealers say more than likely it will change after the rush reason. I probably only played 8 hours (3 sessions) total since I was there with first timers so they wanted to see the strip and shows. All in all I made a profit of about 60 units without counting