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Vegas Downtown Blackjack


Vegas downtown blackjack has a lot in common with Vegas strip blackjack. They are both mainly played in the Las Vegas and can very commonly be found in any online casino. The two games both nearly have the same rules, the only difference is the amount of decks that are used, hitting and standing on soft 17 and the amount of times you are allowed to split aces.

Blackjack Cards

This variation of the game uses 2 decks, 104 cards instead of the 4 decks, 208 cards that are used in Vegas Strip blackjack. This should not make any difference unless you are trying to keep track of which cards have left the stock and which cards are still to come. This is something you only do when you are an experienced player and you completely understand the game.

The next difference between the two variations can be found in the soft and hard 17. If you are playing Vegas downtown then the dealer will hit on soft 17. This is not the case with Vegas Strip, as the dealer will stand on soft 17. Whichever rule is the most favorable for you, as a player does not really matter. The advantages and disadvantages of hitting on soft 17 are so small that they can be forgotten. Some players like to see a dealer who hits on soft 17 because they think they have an advantage and others are quite happy with the dealer just playing with his soft 17. It really boils down to where your preferences lay, apart form that it does not matter what the dealer does as long as he does it consistently.

The last but also most important difference is the fact that you are only allowed to split aces once when you are playing Vegas Downtown blackjack. This means that if you get two aces and you split you only get one card per ace as you already knew but if you receive another ace that you are not allowed to split these again. You are allowed to split any other cards up to three times but this rule does not apply to aces. The chance of getting three aces is small but if you get them then it can be very frustrating not being able to split them. Instead of increasing your chances of getting 21 you are stuck with 2/12. This is a rule that you will not have to use every day but it is something that you have to bare in mind when playing this form of blackjack, what is worse than being happy about your three aces and then finding out that you are not allowed to split?

Vegas Downtown and Vegas Strip are both great blackjack forms to play; they differ slightly in rules but nothing serious. These are the most common forms of blackjack that we know and play today. When you are playing either of these games just make sure you know the rules as even the slightest difference can make you hit instead of pass.

Try your Vegas Downtown Blackjack skills here!