#2: What is meant by the term "Las Vegas rules"?
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Copyright © 1994 - 2005By Michael Dalton All Rights Reserved
Originally published in Volume 4 Issue 3 of Blackjack Review Magazine

This term is often used as the standard to compare one blackjack game with another. Las Vegas rules refer to games that are typical of Downtown Las Vegas - double down allowed on any initial two cards, dealer hits soft-17, resplits and insurance allowed. Las Vegas rules also imply that re-splitting of aces and double after splitting is not allowed. Good examples of Las Vegas casinos with standard Las Vegas rules are the Fremont and Fitzgeralds.

Las Vegas "Strip" rules improve the player’s odds slightly requiring the dealer to stand on all 17s. The Las Vegas Strip has traditionally implied those casinos found between the Hacienda and Vegas World, however, not all casinos know what the term means. A good example of a Las Vegas Strip casino offering Las Vegas Strip rules is the Imperial Palace.

Reno rules are considerably less favorable to the basic strategy player where doubling is restricted to 10 and 11 only and the dealer hits soft-17. These rules can also be found in the Lake Tahoe region. A good example of a Reno casino offering Reno rules is Circus Circus.

Atlantic City is another region that has coined its own term due to a unique combination of rule options. Atlantic City rules allow players to double on any 2 cards, dealer stands on soft-17, double after splitting allowed, and no resplits allowed. The Taj Mahal and Showboat are good examples of casinos offering typical Atlantic City rules.

Players and blackjack authors have promoted the above terminology since the early days of advantage play. However, not all casinos in a specific region will necessarily offer the rules depicted above -- but many, if not most casinos, will. Some casinos will even improve on the rules. As an example, on the Las Vegas Strip, you will find most large casino shoe games not only offering Las Vegas Strip rules but double after splitting as well. In Mississippi and Louisiana, you will also find many casinos with these same rules.

To round out the rules and to add some spice to the game you will also find some casinos offering late surrender, bonuses, jokers, sidebets, the ability to resplit aces, and a variety of new blackjack variations such as Heads Up Blackjack, Multi-Action, Triple-Chance, Players Choice, and Double Exposure.

Last Update 10/13/05

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