Las Vegas reopened on June 4, 2020 after a 78-day closure. A total of 62 casinos in the market are now open. Of those, 16 are on the Strip and 10 in downtown Las Vegas.
Most of the casinos that reopened look the same as before the shutdown. However, there are a few changes.
What changed at Las Vegas blackjack since the COVID-19 closure
The most notable changes for Las Vegas blackjack since the shutdown occurred at Casino Royale and Circus Circus.
Casino Royale removed all table games. Blackjack Switch originated there. The only place to find that game right now is at Sahara. The loss of table games at Casino Royale also put an end to the last consistent $5 craps and roulette tables on the Las Vegas Strip.
Circus Circus left its table games on the floor but has not opened any yet. It installed a stadium gaming setup over about one-quarter of the main pit. It offers $5 6:5 blackjack and double zero roulette. The pit at the top of the stairs is now slots. The 6:5 video blackjack machine was moved to Slots A Fun.
Flamingo removed a pit to expand electronic table games. That video pit includes 6:5 blackjack, craps and double zero roulette. The minimum bet for each is $5. Other new electronic gaming includs new stadium setups at The Strat, a second stadium gaming area at Treasure Island, as well as new ones at Encore and Bellagio.
Single and double deck blackjack games that were dealt as a pitch, meaning face down, are now all face up with two exceptions. Flamingo and Harrah’s still deal its double deck games as a pitch.
The other major changes involve social distancing. All casinos must cap the number of players at a blackjack table to three. Every other seat must be turned off on a video blackjack or any other machine.
All MGM Resorts properties that are open have plexiglass at blackjack tables. The open properties are Bellagio, MGM Grand and New York-New York. Tuscany also has plexiglass at blackjack tables.
Wynn, Encore, El Cortez and Ellis Island place these partitions at about half the tables. This gives players the option of sitting at one with plexiglass or not.
All Caesars Entertainment casinos require facemasks at table games. Players may remove the mask to have a drink. Smokers must leave the table.
Minimum bet required for a 3:2 blackjack game at major Las Vegas casino
The list below shows the minimum bet for each casino’s 3:2 blackjack tables during my visit in the days after Las Vegas casinos reopened. Binion’s is the only casino with table games that does not offer a traditional 3:2 blackjack game for any limit. The table games are closed at Casino Royale and Circus Circus.
All games are assumed to have double down before and after splitting with the dealer hitting soft 17 while dealing six or eight decks. Any variation from these rules is noted in parenthesis.
$5 Blackjack
- Ellis island
- Golden Gate
- Plaza
- Rampart (surrender, re-split aces)
$10 Blackjack
- California (double deck, no double down after split)
- Downtown Grand (surrender, re-split aces)
- El Cortez (single deck no double after split, double deck and six-deck)
- Four Queens (double deck, no double down after split)
- Fremont (double deck and six-deck, no double down after split in either)
- Gold Coast
- Golden Nugget (surrender)
- Orleans
- Red Rock (six-deck has surrender, double deck)
- Suncoast (double deck and six-deck)
- The D
- The Strat (surrender, re-split aces)
- Tuscany
$15 Blackjack
- Harrah’s (surrender)
- MGM Grand (surrender, re-split aces)
- Sahara
$25 Blackjack
- Bellagio (surrender, re-split aces)
- Caesars Palace (surrender)
- Cosmopolitan (surrender, re-split aces)
- Encore (surrender, re-split aces)
- Flamingo (surrender)
- New York-New York (surrender, re-split aces)
- Palace Station (double deck)
- Treasure Island (double deck)
- Wynn (surrender, re-split aces)
$50 Blackjack
- Palazzo (double deck)
- Venetian (double deck)
Las Vegas reopening 3:2 blackjack rules by casino
Bellagio
It takes $25 to get a 3:2 blackjack game at Bellagio. It is a shoe with surrender and re-split aces. The game stands on all 17s in high limit for $100. There is also a $300 double deck that stands on all 17s.
Caesars Palace
Caesars Palace deals an eight-deck game with surrender for $25. For $100, the game stands on all 17s. That game is in the high limit salon.
California
California in downtown Las Vegas specializes in double deck blackjack. The minimum bet is $10. Double down after splitting is not permitted.
Cosmopolitan
It takes $25 to get a 3:2 shoe game at Cosmopolitan. It has surrender and re-split aces. For $100, this game stands on all 17s in high limit.
Downtown Grand
Downtown Grand has a $10 six-deck blackjack game. Surrender and re-split aces are offered.
El Cortez
There are three $10 blackjack games at El Cortez. All pay 3:2. There is single deck that allows double down on the first two cards and not after splitting. The two and six-deck games have double down before and after splitting.
Ellis Island
Ellis Island has its pit open with typical limits. There was a $5 table with some $10 ones. All blackjack pays 3:2 at Ellis Island. Double down before and after splitting is permitted.
Flamingo
Flamingo has an eight-deck game with surrender and a $50 double deck with no double down after splitting. The double deck game is still dealt as a pitch.
Four Queens
The only real 3:2 blackjack game at Four Queens is a $10 double deck. It allows double down before but not after splitting. There are some tables marked with 3:2 payouts. These are not traditional games. A $1 side bet is required.
Fremont
Fremont has double deck and six-deck with no double down after the split. The minimum bet is $10.
Gold Coast
Gold Coast has $10 six-deck and $15 double deck. Both permit double down before and after splitting.
Golden Gate
Golden Gate had scattered eight-deck blackjack games with $5 and $10 limits. Players may double down before and after splitting. It is also home to a $10 3:2 Bonus Bet Blackjack table.
Golden Nugget
There are four 3:2 blackjack games at Golden Nugget. The $10 eight-deck allows surrender. There is $25 double deck with no double down after splitting. At $50, you can get double down after split in the double deck in high limit. There is a $100 six-deck game in high limit that has surrender and re-split aces.
Harrah’s
For $15, there is an eight-deck game with surrender. The $25 double deck is available. It does not allow double down after splitting. Caesars Entertainment properties are the only casinos in Las Vegas dealing this game as a pitch. The $100 high limit game, when open, is six decks. It stands on all 17s and has surrender.
MGM Grand
MGM Grand had a $15 shoe game with surrender and re-split aces during y visit. For $100, this game is spread in high limit with the dealer standing on all 17s. High limit also hosts a $300 double deck blackjack game that stands on all 17s.
New York-New York
The only open 3:2 blackjack game at New York-New York is an eight-deck. It has a $25 minimum bet. Surrender and re-split aces are allowed. The high limit salon has not yet opened.
Orleans
Orleans has a $10 double deck game that permits double down before and after splitting.
Palace Station
The only 3:2 blackjack game at Palace Station during my visit was $25 double deck. It has double down before and after splitting. The high limit salon was open but only dealing baccarat at the time. When blackjack is open, it has a $50 double deck with re-split aces and $100 six-deck that stands on all 17s with re-split aces and surrender. Video blackjack players will find a 3:2 $1 game by the pit.
Plaza
Plaza’s table game pit is open from 3pm to 1am during the first phase. Its blackjack games are $5 or $10 six-deck with double down before and after splitting. A $25 double deck game has the same rules.
Rampart
Rampart offers two blackjack games. There is a $5 six-deck game with surrender and re-split aces. There is $10 double deck game with double before and after split.
Red Rock
There are four 3:2 blackjack games at Red Rock. For $10, players may choose between double deck and six-deck. The six-deck has surrender. For $50, there is a double deck that adds re-split aces. The $100 six-deck game stands on all 17s. Players may surrender or re-split aces. The $50 and $100 games are in the high limit salon.
Sahara
Sahara requires $15 for its 3:2 shoe game. For $50, it is spread in high limit with surrender and re-split aces with the dealer standing on al 17s. Blackjack Switch was $5. Sahara is the only casino I found in Las Vegas since the reopening that spreads Blackjack Switch.
Suncoast
Suncoast players will find two $10 blackjack games. There is double deck and six-deck. Each allows double down before and after splitting.
The D
There are three 3:2 blackjack games at The D. For $10, players may choose between an eight-deck or Bonus Bet Blackjack. For $50, there is a double deck game in the high limit salon.
The Strat
There is a $10 shoe game that permits surrender and re-split aces. The $25 double deck has the standard double down before and after splitting.
Treasure Island
Treasure Island had the most unusual blackjack limits compared to normal times of any casino I visited. It requires $25 for a 3:2 double deck game. Double down before and after splitting is permitted. There is a 3:2 stadium blackjack game. It is $1 on weekdays and $3 on weekends. The high limit salon at Treasure Island is closed indefinitely.
Tuscany
The six-deck blackjack tables at Tuscany are $10. Double down before and after splitting are permitted. There is also a $1 3:2 video blackjack machine.
Wynn and Encore
Wynn and Encore require $25 for a 3:2 blackjack game. It is a shoe that allows surrender and re-split aces. For $100, it stands on all 17s in high limit. There is also a $50 double deck with double down before and after splitting.
Venetian and Palazzo
It takes $50 to get 3:2 blackjack at Venetian and Palazzo. That game is a double deck with double down before and after splitting. There is a six-deck shoe in high limit that stands on all 17s. It has surrender and re-split aces. Venetian and Palazzo are the only casinos in Las Vegas with Spanish 21. The minimum bet was $15 during my June 5 visit.
Future openings
Excalibur is expected to open on June 11. Its only 3:2 blackjack game is a shoe with surrender and re-split aces. I expect the minimum bet to be $25. It may be as low as $15.
Westgate will open on June 18. It typically takes $15 to get a 3:2 blackjack game there. It is a shoe with standard double down rules.
Oyo announced a July 1 reopening. It typically offers a $10 3:2 six-deck game.
