Bellagio is one of the largest casinos in Nevada. It offers 116,000 square feet of gaming space. It hosts 3,950 hotel rooms, all of which would be considered suites at most other Las Vegas casinos. Bellagio is owned by MGM Resorts. It was built by Steve Wynn under Mirage Resorts. It opened on October 15, 1998 on the former site of the Dunes. MGM Resorts later acquired the property.
Bellagio uses the MLife players club, the same one used by most other MGM Resorts casinos in Las Vegas. The resort is connected by tram to Aria and Monte Carlo. It is located on the southwest corner of Las Vegas Blvd and Flamingo Rd. Its trademark is Lake Bellagio, which offers a fountain show hourly in the afternoon and evening.
Bellagio Tables and Games
The best blackjack in the world was once found at Bellagio, even for low limit players. While higher limit games still offer respectable rules, players wagering less than $25 will find some of the worst games in Las Vegas.
There are 41 blackjack tables at Bellagio that pay 6-5 on a natural. These tables use continuous shuffle machines. Double down before and after splitting is permitted. The dealer hits soft 17. The house edge is 2.01%. Bet limits are $10 to $5,000.
There are two exotic blackjack games that $10 players will want to try instead of the awful 6-5 tables. There are two $10 to $2,500 Free Bet Blackjack tables. This game gives players free splits and double downs on 9, 10 and 11. In exchange for this, the dealer pushes all players still in the hand if 22 is drawn. Blackjack pays 3-2 and the dealer hits soft 17. The house edge is 1.02%. The bet limits are $15 to $2,500. The game is dealt out of a continuous shuffle machine.
There are also two tables of Blackjack Switch. This game requires players to wager on two hands. The cards may be switched between these two hands. Like Free Bet Blackjack, the dealer pushes all players still in the hand if 22 is made. The dealer hits soft 17. The house edge is 0.6% in this game. The bet limits are $10 to $2,500.
Players willing to move up to $25 will find traditional 3-2 blackjack games. Double down before and after splitting, as well as surrender and re-split aces are available at these tables. The dealer hits soft 17. Six decks are used. The house edge is 0.46%. There are 10 of these tables. The max bet is $5,000.
There are $50 six-deck shoe games that have the same rules as the $25 ones, except that the dealer stands on all 17’s. The cards are hand shuffled. The house edge for these tables is 0.27%. The max bet is $10,000. The minimum bet may go up to $100 during peak hours. There are six of these tables on the main floor and four more in the high limit salon.
Black chip players will want to try the double deck blackjack game. This game allows double down before and after splitting. The dealer stands on all 17’s. The minimum bet is typically $100, but it can go to $200 on weekends. The max is $10,000. The house edge is 0.25%.
MLife for Frequent Blackjack Players
Bellagio uses MLife, the players club used by MGM Resorts in Las Vegas, except at Circus Circus and Slots A Fun. Bellagio will not rate any play under $25. Even at $50, the action may not be enough to even get a free buffet. It will take black chip action to get noticed at Bellagio.
What’s Different?
Bellagio offers terrible games for players betting less than $25. On the other hand, $25 players will find decent action on a six-deck shoe with double down before and after spitting, as well as surrender and re-split. The $50 shoes stands on all 17’s. The only places on the Strip that offer a similar game with the same or lower limits are Bally’s and Treasure Island. Even then, Bally’s doesn’t permit re-split aces.
The double deck game that stands on all 17’s is a little pricey at $100. Treasure Island offers the same game for $25.
The Inside View
Players entering the casino from the front desk will immediately find blackjack tables on the right. Walk past these games as they all pay 6-5 and have a house edge of two percent. The good games are in the next pit on the right. That is where the stand on all 17 games are located. At $50, you will get a shoe with double down before and after splitting. It also allows surrender and re-split aces. The house edge goes down by 0.02% if you have the bankroll for a $100 game at the double deck that stands on all 17’s where double down before and after splitting are allowed.
Low limit players can get a better game when avoiding the traditional blackjack tables. Take a seat at Blackjack Switch or Free Bet Blackjack to cut the edge by 50 percent. Otherwise, live blackjack players should consider going to Bally’s or Paris across Las Vegas Blvd from Bellagio for 3-2 games that start at a $10 minimum bet.