Question of the Day - 15 November 2019

We ran the answer to a similar question five years ago and the answer then, as now, is no casino that we know of in Vegas or anywhere else for that matter deals Solitaire in any of its myriad forms. 

In response to that question, some LVA readers with long memories wrote in that they clearly remembered having played solitaire in a casino here.

As to solitaire's history in Las Vegas, there was at least one now-defunct casino that did indeed deal it, while we've found comments online from other long-time residents, or regular visitors, who distinctly recall having seen/played solitaire elsewhere in Nevada, including one person who played at Circus Circus in Reno, which apparently dealt a version where the player was paid after the 10th card, while another Vegas local recalled it being dealt in "some of the smaller establishments" around 30 years ago.

With regard to the Las Vegas property that dealt the game, we can now confirm what follows on the strength of accounts from two different people, who both recall having played solitaire at the off-Strip Maxim, located on E. Flamingo. This casino opened in July 1977 and was popular on account of its reputation for customer care and service, but it fell out of favor in the '80s due to competition from newer, flashier properties on the Strip. In 1999, the casino was closed as the result of a dispute between its operator and the hotel owners; the entire property closed in 2001. It's now the Westin; the small casino there closed years ago.

Here's the account we were sent by an LVA reader of his experience playing solitaire at the Maxim 25-30 years ago:

"As I remember, you paid $50 (or $52) for the deck (new and unshuffled). You were allowed to make three shuffles only, then you would deal out your typical solitaire, i.e., seven rows with one card up in the first, 2nd row would be one down, one up, 3rd row two down, one up etc.

"You would then move any aces up to the 'out' position and follow the suits accordingly, as in a regular game of solitaire. Taking the remaining un-dealt cards, you were allowed to flip them up one at a time and ONLY ONCE through the deck, making all the normal moves you could make. You were paid $5 per card for each card you got up into the out position. Obviously, if you went out completely, you would be paid $260.

"Of course, it's VERY difficult to get many cards out when you can only shuffle them three times: You don't get a very good mix generally."

While some people doubted this account, we subsequently found it corroborated by another player, who wrote:

"Yes it was a regular game. You had three chances to finish the game, by finishing the deck and starting over again. 

"The only time I saw it was at the old Maxim about 20 years ago. I remember it clearly because I asked if they had a table that played 'War'! I was kidding, because it just seemed funny to see solitaire being played in a casino."

Some Solitaire apps that play for money and a company called Solitarius was supposed to offer a "Vegas Solitaire" slot machine a few years ago, but we've never seen or heard of one showing up on a casino floor.

You can read up on the history of Las Vegas Solitaire as a gambling game, plus learn about the rules, odds, and strategy and play a free online version, at vegassolitaire.com.