The last two casinos on the Las Vegas Strip that did not offer 6-5 blackjack have caved to the trend. Aria and Bellagio now have 6-5 tables. A total of 40 tables between the two properties now disclose “Blackjack pays 6-5” on the felt.
Previously, Bellagio offered 31 tables with $10 and $15 minimum bets that used continuous shuffle machines and paid 3-2 on blackjack. All of these tables now pay 6-5. One area is the on the right when entering the casino from the front desk area. The other is in the back, the first pit seen when entering from the Caesars Palace/Bally’s pedestrian bridges.
All other blackjack games remain the same at Bellagio. Players will find $15 Blackjack Switch and Bonus Bet Blackjack in the front pits. Bonus Bet Blackjack still pays 3-2. On Wednesday night, players could get 3-2 shoe blackjack with a $25 minimum that hit soft 17. These are in the pits on the left side of the casino when entering from the front desk. There were stand on 17 six-deck games near the craps pit with a $50 minimum. The stand on 17 double deck pitch games had a $100 minimum. The video blackjack game that paid 3-2 with a $5 minimum bet was removed from the floor.
Aria converted nine low limit tables to 6-5. All are continuous shuffle machines in pits closest to the front desk. These are the $10-$15 games. The change did not affect the $25 hit on 17 shoes, $50 stand on 17 shoes, or the $100 stand on 17 pitch games.
Marc Meltz tipped us off that MGM had lowered the quality of the high limit games at New York New York. We checked it out and the stand on 17 games have all been removed from the New York New York high limit salon. The minimum bet went from $50 to $100. There are still four 3-2 blackjack games on the main floor at New York New York. There are two $25 double deck tables and two $10 eight-deck shoes. Both are in the pit closest to the hotel front desk.
On a hunch, we checked out the Monte Carlo high limit area. Players could once find 3-2 stand on 17 six-deck and pitch games for $50 and $100, respectively. These games now hit soft 17. The minimum for each is now $100. We were told the changes were made in May. There is only one 3-2 blackjack game on the main floor at Monte Carlo, a $25 double deck.
MGM Resorts casinos were once the best places to play blackjack in Las Vegas. All games offered surrender, re-split aces, and double down after splitting. Getting 3-2 was the norm and $25 players could get stand on 17 games. The conditions at all MGM Resorts casinos have deteriorated in one way or another in the past couple of years. In most cases, the games at Caesars Entertainment properties offer better rules and lower limits for 3-2 payouts these days.
