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The Best and Worst Blackjack Games

by Jeff Haney

LAS VEGAS --Don't hit that

Following are the worst blackjack games in Las Vegas:

The single-deck game at The Rio: This is the worst blackjack game currently being dealt anywhere in the world, and likely the worst in the history of gambling. Not only do blackjacks pay even money, but players are permitted to double down only on two-card totals of 10 or 11.

The house's edge in this game is a staggering 2.77 percent. On the bright side, this game is dealt by attractive women wearing bikinis. Really.

The 6-5 games at Circus Circus, Excalibur and O'Sheas: Not only do blackjacks pay 6-5, but players are permitted to double down only on 10 or 11.

Any other game that pays 6-5 for blackjack (see separate list of casinos offering this game).

The "hand-held multiple deck" game at the Las Vegas Club: A bizarre game in which eight decks are used, but dealt out about two decks at a time while the rest of the cards are being shuffled. Some exotic rules in favor of the player don't come close to making up for the fact that blackjacks pay even money.

The eight-deck game at the Stratosphere: Players can double down only on two-card totals of 9, 10 or 11, and there are no favorable rules to make up for this affront. At least blackjacks pay 3-2.

Looks like a winner

There are no hard-and-fast rules for determining the best blackjack games in Las Vegas. A skilled card counter with a big bankroll will prefer one game; a recreational gambler who bets red chips while drinking as many free Becks as possible will prefer another. But these are some of the best games in the city:

-Single-deckers: El Cortez, Horseshoe, Fiesta Rancho, Las Vegas Club

-Two-deckers: Bellagio, Mirage, Stardust, Texas Station, Treasure Island

-Six-deckers: Bellagio, Mandalay Bay, MGM Grand, Mirage, Palms, Treasure Island

Honorable mention, or, requiem for a dream game: Until recently, the unassuming Barcelona casino at Craig Road and Nellis Boulevard was dealing the best blackjack game in the world -- a single-decker with favorable rules, including bonus payouts for certain hands. Just by using basic strategy, a player actually had a small advantage over the house.

This game was not, however, dealt by women in bikinis.

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