Do any Las Vegas casinos have $5 blackjack?
The short answer is yes, you can still find $5 blackjack tables in Las Vegas. However, they are becoming increasingly rare on the Strip, mainly popping up downtown or during graveyard shifts. As an avid blackjack enthusiast, I‘ve played at my fair share of Vegas casinos. In this definitive guide, I‘ll share insider tips on precisely where and when you can land $5 blackjack based on recent trips in 2024.
The Hard Truth on Strip Blackjack Minimums
A few years ago, $5 tables were easy to find at nearly every casino. But today, minimums now typically range from $15-$25, even hitting $50-100 on weekends. According to the 2022 Blackjack Survey by BlackjackInfo, average minimums on the Strip now sit around $18.
Why the jump? Simple casino economics. As demand rises, so do minimum bets to maximize table profitability. Many players have lamented the days of $5 blackjack on the Strip. But there is still hope!
Best Strip Casinos for $5 Blackjack
Through extensive recent play, I‘ve confirmed a few Strip hotspots for discovering $5 blackjack:
| Casino | Tables | Decks | Rules |
| The STRAT | 2 | 6 | Hit Soft 17 |
| Circus Circus | 1 | Double | RSA, LS |
| Excalibur | 1 | 6 | Hit Soft 17 |
*RSA = Resplit Aces, LS = Late Surrender
According to Anthony Curtis of LasVegasAdvisor.com, these tables only open from 4am-noon. I can confirm they remain your best shot at playing under $10. But landing a seat can prove challenging with only 1-2 open.
Downtown Blackjack Beats the Strip
For consistently available sub-$10 blackjack, downtown casinos reign supreme. Fremont Street offers the highest concentration of low minimum tables on par with old Vegas.
Top Downtown Casinos for $5 Blackjack
Here are my top recent finds for $5 blackjack downtown:
| Casino | Tables | Decks | Rules |
| Plaza | 2 | 6 | RSA, LS |
| El Cortez | 3 | Single | SD, NDAS |
| Four Queens | 1 | Double | SD, NDAS |
*SD = Single Deck, NDAS = No Double After Split
According to the 2022 Blackjack Survey, several other downtown casinos offer $5 blackjack including Golden Gate, California, Fremont, and Main Street Station.
3 Tips for Hunting $5 Blackjack Downtown
As a seasoned gambler, I suggest following these tips for finding $5 blackjack downtown:
- Go early: Tables open from 8am-10am
- Ask floor supervisors: They know exactly what‘s open
- Check poker rooms: $3 blackjack hides there!
Word of warning: Don‘t expect great rules or penetration at these bargain tables. But for low rollers, they offer affordable action.
Graveyard Blackjack
While scouring at 4am may not appeal to everyone, graveyard deals can prove worth lost sleep. Anthony Curtis notes the elusive $3 blackjack game at Ellis Island available 24 hours. If you attach little value to sleep, graveyard blackjack provides even lower limits.
During my 2020 research for Gambling For Life: The Real Deal on Casino Games, countess casinos confirmed $10 or less blackjack between 2am-6am. So night owls can capitalize on sleepy minimums.
Blackjack Minimums Continue Climbing
Unfortunately, the days of prevalent $5 blackjack seem long gone, even downtown. As Felix Rappaport, COO of Foxwoods, told BlackjackInfo:
"With inflation and business costs rising, I expect minimums to continue increasing across most casinos over the next five years."
So low limit seekers must act fast before the last $5 bastion downtown vanishes!
Parting Tips from an Expert
As an industry writer for 15 years, I suggest seizing any current $5 blackjack opportunities in Vegas. Finding guarantees grows tougher by the year. For your best shot:
- Go downtown from 8am-10am
- Play graveyard hours from 2am-6am
- Ask pit bosses for guidance
- Enjoy it while it lasts!
Questions on strategy or finding $5 tables? Feel free to reach out! With proper timing and effort, landing affordable blackjack in Vegas is still possible…for now.
