There are two Fiesta Las Vegas casinos. One is located in Henderson where US 95 and I-215 intersect. The other is on old US 95, also known as Rancho Rd, at its intersection with West Lake Mead. They are both owned by Station Casinos, which is a powerhouse in the Las Vegas locals gaming market. Fiesta uses a Mexican theme. This includes its dining options, as well as its décor.
Fiesta is one of the brands that operate under Station Casinos. Others are Wildfire and Station. Green Valley Ranch and Red Rock Resort are also owned by Station Casinos.
Fiesta is a typical locals casino. Both Fiestas have nearly identical casino floors. Each has a drive thru sportsbook and 201 hotel rooms. There are some minor differences with the locals amenities beyond that. The Rancho location offers an ice rink. It is the only casino in Las Vegas that offers ice skating and hockey year round. One offers a keno lounge, while the other spreads bingo.
Fiesta Las Vegas Tables and Games
Both Fiesta casinos are nearly identical on the inside. Each spreads 13 blackjack tables. There are four types of games. As Fiestas are on the low end, high limit salons do not exist, even for slots. All Fiesta blackjack games hit soft 17.
Each Fiesta Casino spreads seven double deck blackjack games. Players may double down before and after splitting. Blackjack pays 3-2. The house edge is 0.4%. These tables have the Pair Square side bet that pays 25-1 on a suited pair and 10-1 on an unsuited one. Bet limits are $5 to $500. The side bet has a $1 to $25 limit.
There are two types of six-deck games. One is dealt out of a shoe. Players may double down before and after splitting and surrender. Blackjack pays 3-2. Bet limits are $5 to $500. The house edge is 0.55%. There are three of these tables at both Fiestas.
The other six-deck game is dealt out of a continuous shuffle machine. This game has bet limits of $3 to $200. Players can double down on any two cards and after splitting. This bet limit is unusual in that players can bet $2 on the flat bet and $1 on the Lucky Lucky side bet to satisfy the $3 minimum bet. The Lucky Lucky side bet turns the game into a bit of a carnival game. It pays players that make a hand of at least 19. The jackpots revolve around making a 21 hand of 678 and 777, especially when suited. This six-deck game pays 6-5 on blackjack, but only on bets of $5 or more. The $2, $3 and $4 bets receive even money on a blackjack. That makes the house edge 2.73% on the flat bet under $5 and 2.01% on bets of $5 or more. A player that bets $2 on the flat bet and $1 on the bonus will have a house edge of more than 3.5%. Players may wager up to $25 on the Lucky Lucky side bet.
There is also a single deck blackjack table. Double down on any two cards is allowed, but not after splitting. Pairs may be split up to four times. Blackjack pays 6-5. The house edge at this table is 1.6%. Bet limits are $5 to $200.
Boarding Pass for Frequent Blackjack Players
Fiestas use the Boarding Pass card, the same one used by all Station Casinos. Boarding Pass blackjack players receive one free bet per week. Buffet coupons are also common. Table game players receive far fewer comps than slot players. Boarding Pass pays 0.3% cash back on slots, as well as weekly free play and point multiplier offers.
What’s Different?
Fiestas offer a very unusual six-deck blackjack game. It is dealt out of a continuous shuffle machine. It has a $3 minimum bet. The house allows only $2 to be wagered on the blackjack hand if $1 is placed on the Lucky Lucky side bet. The table advertises that blackjack pays 6-5, which is bad enough, but bets of $2 to $4 only pay even money. That makes this game by far the worst in the locals market at a house edge of 2.73%. Even at 6-5 on a blackjack, it has a 2.01% hold for the house.
The other blackjack games are normal for the locals market. The rules are similar to its competitors in the neighborhood. It should be noted that Station Casinos owns all gaming establishments in this area that are not restricted tavern licenses.
The Inside View
Under no circumstance should you play the 6-5 blackjack game. The $3 minimum bet seems like a good deal for the neighborhood, buts its house edge is atrocious. Graduate up to the $5 game and play the double deck. The $3 game’s house edge is more than six times worse than the double deck. The 3-2 shoe game is reasonable, but still has a house edge that is 40% worse than the double deck tables.