Vegas Strip Blackjack
‘Vegas Strip Blackjack’ is the most common variant of blackjack found in Las Vegas, hence the name. Vegas Strip Blackjack is also very popular at online blackjack sites and casinos. It is nothing more than a slight twist on the rules of standard blackjack.
Our favorite online casinos for playing Vegas Strip Blackjack are Cherry Red Casino and Bodog. They both offer Vegas Strip Blackjack for play or real money action. Check ‘em out.
Vegas Strip Blackjack Rules
The variables in the game of Vegas Strip Blackjack are:
1/ 4 decks of cards are used.
2/ Dealer Stands on a Soft 17.
3/ Player can Double on any two cards.
4/ Player can split any same value cards (i.e. J-Q can be split).
5/ Player can Double after Splitting.
6/ Split up to 3 times, 4 hands max.
7/ Split Aces only once per hand, cannot Hit split Aces.
8/ Split Aces can result in a 21, but not a natural Blackjack.
9/ Dealer checks for Blackjack on all Aces and 10’s.
Card Values:
- 2-9 = face value
- 10-K = 10
- A = 1 or 11, whichever is higher without busting the hand.
How to Play Vegas Strip Blackjack
After a betting round where the player wagers any amount between the table limits, the dealer will deliver two cards to each hand, the player’s and the dealer’s. Both player hole cards are face up, while the dealer’s cards are dealt one face down and the second face up.
The player now has a decision to make…
- Stand (take no more cards)
- Hit (take another card)
- Double (take only one more card; double is available on any sum of two cards)
- Split (split two same-value cards (5+5, J+J, 10+Q, A+A, etc.) into two hands; one splitting of Aces per hand, cannot hit split aces; max 3 splits per hand)
Vegas Strip Blackjack Payouts
Vegas Strip Blackjack, like any online blackjack games for that matter, is based on the value of the player’s total hand. The best sum is 21. Anything over 21 is a bust and automatically loses. If the player’s hand is higher than the dealer’s hand, without exceeding 21, the player wins even money on his bets. If the dealer’s hand is higher, the player loses. In case of a tie, it is a push. No one wins and the player’s bet is returned.
Blackjack (Pays 3 to 2): A natural Blackjack pays 3 to 2 on Vegas Strip Blackjack bets. A natural blackjack is when the player’s original two-card hand totals 21 in value. This requires an Ace and a 10 or Face Card. If a hand is split, and results in a 2-card value of 21, it is not a natural blackjack, but a standard hand of 21, paying only 1 to 1 for a win.
Insurance (2 to 1): When the dealer has an Ace, 10 or Face Card showing, he offers Insurance. The cost of insurance is ½ the amount bet on the hand. The dealer then checks for Blackjack. If the player bought insurance, and the dealer has blackjack, the insurance bet pays 2 to 1, but the original bet is lost (i.e. player breaks even). If there is no blackjack, the insurance bet is lost but the hand continues.
Vegas Strip Blackjack Tips & Strategy
Since Vegas Strip Blackjack does not have any extended payouts for developing specific hands, a basic “4-deck / Stand on Soft 17” blackjack strategy card is highly recommended. Follow the strategy card and your odds of winning will be as high as possible without counting cards. The only other Vegas Strip Blackjack tip we can really offer is to know the rules well, and use that knowledge to your advantage to avoid any foolish mistakes.
