Vegas Blackjack Review
About Vegas Blackjack
Vegas Blackjack is the version of the game that has been played in most casinos around the world for many years. Of course, there are now many variations of Blackjack that can be played online, but the standard rules and payoffs of the game are based on this version.
Special Features
Generally, Vegas Blackjack is played with six decks, a high number which is considered a help to the house. The theory is that the more decks in play, the less likely you are to get a blackjack and the more likely the house is to get a small card when it needs it. In exchange for that, the dealer does not hit a soft seventeen and that is considered favourable for the player.
If you get a natural blackjack in this game, it will pay the normal odds of 3-2. Insurance is also available when the dealer shows an Ace. The payoff if that bet is successful is 2-1. Usually, Surrender is not an option in Vegas Blackjack.
You can split any two paired cards in this version of the game. You can also double down on any two cards. You can also split cards a second time except for Aces, which can only be split once.
Strategy
There is an accepted basic strategy for playing Vegas Blackjack, though naturally it can be altered if you have an insight through card counting. There can be other times when you might vary your approach, such as when you're playing in a tournament. But the basic strategy is usually the best approach, and though it does not usually win even half the time, it is successful enough to give you a decent chance to win.
The basic strategy is based on the dealer's up card. If the dealer shows a 7 or better, you'll want to draw aggressively, hitting until you have reached 17. But you'll also want to limit your doubling and splitting.
When the dealer has anywhere from a 2 to a 6, the strategy should change dramatically. The player should split most pairs and double down on any total of 9, 10 or 11. If the dealer is showing a 4, 5 or 6, the player should stand on any hand of 13 or higher. He should also stand on 14 or better if the dealer shows a 2 or a 3.