GHS: BJ observations in Downtown LV

[GHS]

I just returned from 5 days (Apr 12-17th)in downtown vegas playing BJ at most of the casinos there. I hadn't been to Vegas since 1991 so obviously things had changed. Here's a few observations and opinions for what its worth.

BINION'S HORSESHOE: Benny Binion's once great casino re-opened on April 1st, a shadow of itself unless you like 6:5 BJ or dealt from a shoe. I passed on BJ there. Maybe you might have more fun dropping a couple dollar coins in the Double Diamond slots for good times sake....

EL CORTEZ: Still enjoyed a little nickel BJ there like I did years ago. Place hasn't changed much over the years. They had that "Royal Match" BJ and while I didn't partake myself I was amazed at the people who tossed lots of money in that Royal Match circle chasing the 3:1 payouts. Most people I observed playing the RM seemed to lose it all eventually.... hmmmm

LADY LUCK: I didn't see much lucky about the ol' Lady Luck. Had some great BJ winning sessions many years back but looks like times have changed. They had these tables marked "Fun 21" where they payed EVEN money on BJ's!!! Watched some dude sitting at one of these tables playing 3-4 reds hit two consecutive BJ's and the dealer paid him his even money. He never flinched....guess the "Fun 21" was meant for beginners who are too stupid to know the house is fleecing them. Shame on you LL.... you lost whatever respect I had for your joint.

GOLD SPIKE: $2 BJ with 3:2 if your funds are low and you don't mind the decor Heck, during the day they will even give you a Bingo card if you are playing. Same ol' Gold Spike

LAS VEGAS CLUB: Ah, the LVC...the place that claims the most liberal BJ in LV. First, let me say they did have some single deck BJ but they also had a weird table that offered SURRENDER, paid only EVEN money on BJ's UNLESS it was suited, then they would pay 2:1. It was a double deck game that spitted two decks out of an eight deck shuffling machine!! So....you would be playing with just two out of eight decks. Huh?? This is LIBERAL????????? Helllllll-o! Did I miss something here? Maybe the LVC has the most bizarre BJ in vegas.

GOLDEN GATE: I liked the GG and found a DD game that seemed pretty good. After playing awhile they change dealers and this gal starts dealing who places the cut card on the DD barely 1/3 of the way down from the top of the deck. I noticed it and was just about to mention something when the guy across from me must have noticed the same thing and said something to the dealer. She was obviously annoyed at the guys questioning her cut and you could feel the tension. Next time she shuffled she moved the card closer to 1/2 but still not quite half the DD. The rest of the dealers seemed to cut the deck much deeper. Makes me wonder why this one gal wanted to deal just 1/3 of the deck.....hmmmm.We were taking some red out of them but not sure if the boss sent her in to try and annihilate us or she just liked to shuffle alot sooner! I outlasted her and the other dealers and made lots in this place while there. The 99c shrimp cocktails were good too.....

Well, that's it. If I think of anything else noteworthy I'll post it. Not sure when I'll get back to LV again seeing that I'm an east coast resident but am sure it will be an interesting experience.

[Parker]

Nice report, even if it does really belong on the Las Vegas Everything page.

BTW, the "Fun 21" game you mention is actually "SuperFun 21." It has a bunch of liberal rules to offset the even money BJ (although a diamond-suited BJ pays 2:1). You can double on any two or more cards, resplit aces, hit aces after splitting, surrender after splitting or doubling, and a player BJ wins even if the dealer has BJ. Despite all this, the even money on most BJ's gives it a .94% house edge.

So, it is indeed a ripoff game, but not as bad as the 6:5 games, where you get a shorted BJ payoff and nothing to compensate for it, resulting in a house edge of 1.45% or more depending on the rules.

[Doc]

Although the LVC seems to be experimenting with the crap BJ games, as of last weekend it does still have a nice SD game. At least 3-4 tables depending on the shift.

Doc