Aria is one of the newest resorts in Las Vegas. It is located on the CityCenter site in the middle of the Las Vegas Strip. It is between Monte Carlo and Cosmopolitan. It is a five-star resort from top to bottom. Aria opened on December 16, 2009. There are 4,004 hotel rooms and 150,000 square feet of casino space.
MGM Resorts operates the Aria resort. It is full of high-end restaurants, nightclubs and lounges. Aria also offers what is known in Las Vegas as one of the most prestigious poker rooms and sportsbooks. It is an all-inclusive resort with any amenity a Las Vegas tourist demand.
Aria is connected to Monte Carlo by an interior walkway. There is a tram that runs between Aria and Bellagio.
Aria Tables and Games
There are 28 blackjack tables on the main casino floor at Aria. The best game is a $100 to $10,000 double deck game that allows double down before and after splitting. The dealer stands on soft 17. The house edge is 0.25%. There are four of these tables on the main floor and several more in the high limit salon with the same rules.
There is a six-deck shoe game that also stands on all 17’s. It permits double down on any two cards, double down after splitting, surrender and re-split aces. The house edge is 0.27%. There are six of these tables on the main floor, with others in high limit. The bet limits are $50 to $10,000.
Players comfortable with a $25 minimum bet will enjoy a decent six-deck shoe blackjack game at Aria. These games permit double down before and after splitting. Surrender and re-split aces are also allowed. The dealer hits soft 17 in these games. The maximum bet is $10,000. The house edge is 0.47%. There are 10 of these tables. All use continuous shuffle machines.
Aria spreads eight 6-5 blackjack tables. These start at $10 during off peak hours and $15 on weekends. Players may double down before and after splitting. The dealer hits soft 17. The house edge is 2.01%.
There are two video blackjack machines. These are Interblock games that allow double down before and after splitting, as well as surrender. The dealer hits soft 17. The limits are $5 to $200. The dealer hits soft 17. The house edge is 0.55%. These games accept a players card but do not offer points. Comps are earned on these machines.
Aria has two separate high limit areas. The stand on 17 double deck and shoe rules apply. Limits start at $200 and can be as high as $500 on weekends. Players often must demonstrate a line of credit or proper cash bankroll to receive action in these semi-private rooms. The max bet is negotiable. It is possible to get limits as high as $50,000 with proper credit on file.
MLife for Frequent Blackjack Players
Mlife is the worst players club in town for blackjack players. The five-star atmosphere at Aria makes it even worse for players here. You will not get rated at all for action below $25. Even $50 play will get little more than a free buffet. It will take black chip action at the tables to get any serious comps. It never hurts to mix up blackjack play with video poker or other table games to try and get better offers or a host.
What’s Different?
Players will find stand on 17 shoe games for $50. The double deck game that stays on all 17’s has a $100 minimum bet. There are some MGM properties that do not have any stand on 17 games, even in the high limit salon. This makes Aria one of the better MGM Resorts casinos for blackjack action.
The Inside View
Aria was once the best place in Las Vegas to play blackjack. That is still true for high rollers, but the lower limit games are now unplayable.
If you can give black chip action, head to the double deck tables. A player willing to bet $50 a hand will get stand on 17 shoe games with double down before and after splitting, as well as surrender and re-split aces. A $25 player will still get a 3-2 shoe game with these same rules, it just hits soft 17.
Players unable to afford $25 blackjack should hit the two video blackjack machines. These are located just steps away from the $25 shoe games. These machines allow double down before and after splitting, as well as surrender. The dealer hits soft 17. The video blackjack machine limits are $5 to $200. The game takes a players card that will earn comps but not slot points.
Aria was one of two holdout MGM Resorts casinos that did not have 6-5 blackjack. That changed in July 2015. Aria and Bellagio made all games under $25 6-5 tables. This matched all of its other properties, with the exception of two games at New York New York.
This was a terrible change of events as MGM casinos were always among the best places in Las Vegas to play blackjack. As long as you can give $25 action, Aria still spreads decent games. If you can’t play for $25, you should avoid all Aria table games.