Question of the Day - 8 August 2024

In 2024, are they any Vegas casinos that deal the players cards in blackjack face down? From 1995 through 2013, I went to Vegas about four times per year and I found dealing down an exciting game (because I could “squeeze” my cards), and winnable too (double deck, green chip, favorable rules) at many casinos, e.g., Maxim, Barbary Coast, Imperial Palace, Stardust, Flamingo, Harrah’s, Treasure Island, Orleans, Venetian, and Palazzo. I went again in June 2023 and from my limited search, I could find no casinos that dealt BJ down. Are there any? And if not, why not?

We asked around and couldn't come up with a single casino in Las Vegas that still deals blackjack face down.

The reasons basically boil down to security and speed. For security, any time players handle cards, there's risk involved to the casino. Also, it's a much faster game when the cards are face up. And to a lesser degree, it saves wear and tear on the cards themselves.

Most games are dealt from shoes, which have always been face up. But even in the single- and double-deck games, the cards are no pitched to the players; instead, they're laid down in front of the players face up. And the $1 blackjack games are all shoe games.

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Comments

djm Aug-08-2024

Gold Coast

When I was there less than a year ago, Gold Coast still dealt face down Blackjack. From what I know, all of the Boyd casinos offer face down (hand held) Blackjack games.

Tommy G Aug-08-2024

Counting Cards

I would think it is easier to count cards if the cards are all face up because you would see every player's cards.

Kevin Rough Aug-08-2024

California

The California Casino downtown still dealt face down when I was there in May.

Dave Sissons Aug-08-2024

Face down BJ

Gold Coast  last week had $15 face down on a weekday morning.

Christian Jessen Aug-08-2024

Orleans

I was just in Vegas in June and the Orleans had a double deck game that was pitched face down. This was one of the tables that now gives you a ticket for cash outs instead of coloring up chips.

Randall Ward Aug-08-2024

face down

speed says it all, but it's also a lot easier on dealers.  Faceup is more friendly to the casual player since they can talk

Dave Aug-08-2024

"PITCHING"

This is called a "Pitch" game. Dealer holds the deck and uses his fingers to flick the cards to each spot. It is a skill that I guess will be going away. I dealt years ago and can still do it fairly proficiently, always used to practice here and there in case I ever dealt again for some extra cash. Guess I dont need to worry about it now.

Sam Glantzow Aug-08-2024

Suncoast

They do.

Robert Ferguson Aug-08-2024

Face down blackjack

The Orleans only has double deck face down blackjack at all of their tables. They have done away with any shoe games.

David Miller Aug-08-2024

I would like to see a list

 I think revisiting the answer to this question is necessary. Apparently there are still casinos that deal Blackjack face down. Could a list of what casinos do deal face down Blackjack be posted?

Michael Senor Aug-08-2024

Mike

Rampart Casino deals face down. I played there in July.

Llew Aug-08-2024

Shoes

In Atlantic City, shoes deal cards face down.

David Brown Aug-08-2024

This LVA response is completely incorrect.

Multiple casinos offer face down pitch games as detailed in the comments.

hawks242424 Sep-16-2024

The Cal

The cal deals double deck pitch game 3/2 blackjack for as low as $15 a hand