How Vegas Casinos Dupe Blackjack Players





Ever since I started playing the game 40 years ago, blackjack has paid 3 to 2 at all land and online casinos. Last year, news began to trickle in that some Las Vegas casinos started paying at a lower rate of 6 to 5. At first there was disbelief, because this was like ripping off the casino player. However, the news was persistent and my sources were good. Then in June 2023 Mike Aponte went public on this issue in an interview to ABC News. Aponte was a part of the famous, or should I say infamous, MIT Blackjack Team and his word carries weight.

 

This is not a blanket, boldly announced decision taken by the casino fraternity, but has been executed in an insidious manner. Even within a casino you will find blackjack tables with the older 3 to 2 payouts and also those with the new 6 to 5 payouts. The higher limit tables where the pros hold sway will be 3 to 2, because an expert player will never accept the lowered odds. Today, “tourist gamblers” spend huge sums at casinos on The Strip, and they do not know about the odds or simply do not care. They get their thrills by sitting at the felt tables in a glitzy environment and the amount lost is just the cost of having a great time. The casinos have no qualms about pocketing this money.

 

Next time you play blackjack at a casino check the felt for the blackjack payout. If it is 6 to 5, then find another table or maybe another casino.

 

Author: Harsh Nevatia has 20 years’ experience of creating content on online gambling and understands how the system works.

YouTube:  https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCNwiHTy4rRtj9cut501-hrQ

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X (Twitter): @HarshNev

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