Luxor is located on the far south end of the Las Vegas Strip. It opened on October 15, 1993 as a luxury hotel. Guests have since enjoyed the pyramids and the most unique elevator rides in Las Vegas. Those staying in the Pyramid Tower enter an elevator that slants to conform to the shape of the tower. The balconies for these rooms overlook the shopping district, as well as a view of the top of the pyramid. The Luxor property has since deteriorated, just like its blackjack conditions.
The pyramid you see when flying into Las Vegas is Luxor. It is owned by MGM Resorts. It sits between Excalibur and Mandalay Bay. A tram connects all three properties. There are 4,407 hotel rooms at Luxor. It hosts 120,000 square feet of gaming space.
Luxor Tables and Games
Blackjack games at Luxor are generally among the worst in Las Vegas. There are three pits on the main casino floor that spread blackjack. There are 10 party pit tables that should be avoided. These tables deal eight decks out of a continuous shuffle machine. They are only open on weekends. Players can double down before and after splitting. Blackjack pays 6-5. The dealer hits soft 17. Bet limits are $10 to $1,000.
There are 28 other tables with the same rules. Some use continuous shuffle machines, others use devices that shuffle once all eight decks are spent. The bet limits are the same as the party pit tables. Many of these tables are only open on weekends.
There is an IGT video blackjack machine with $3 to $200 limits. It allows double down on any two cards and after splitting. Surrender is also offered. The dealer stands on all 17’s. This game is by far the best deal for low limit blackjack players at Luxor. The house edge is only 0.37%. It even takes the MLife players card. This lowers the house edge by 0.1%.
There are two double deck blackjack tables. The limits are $25 to $2,000. These are the only two blackjack tables at Luxor that pay 3-2 these days. Double down before and after splitting is permitted. The house edge is 0.4%.
There are three blackjack tables in the high limit salon at Luxor. The conditions are far worse than they once were. The $100 to $10,000 double deck game has the same rules as the $25 one on the main casino floor. Unlike other MGM Resorts high limit games, this one even hits soft 17.
There are two six-deck shoe games in high limit. These tables also have $100 to $10,000 limits. Players may double down before and after splitting. Surrender and re-split aces are also available. The dealer hits soft 17. The house edge at these tables is 0.55%.
MLife for Frequent Blackjack Players
MGM Resorts properties use the MLife card. Players giving action lower than $25 at tables will not get rated. The only chance of getting comps on the main casino floor is to play at one of the two double deck games. Lower limit players should choose the video blackjack machines. These not only offer 0.1% cash back on great rules, but will also generate free hotel and dining offers.
What’s Different?
Luxor offers little different from other Las Vegas casinos. The only major difference is the video blackjack machine with a house edge lower than any of its live blackjack tables. Luxor’s high limit blackjack games hit soft 17, which is different in a bad way from other Las Vegas casinos, even those under the MGM Resorts umbrella. All live blackjack games under $25 only pay 6-5 on a natural.
The Inside View
Luxor is a terrible casino for live blackjack. The sub-$25 tables pay 6-5 on blackjack. The $25 double deck still has a house edge of 0.4%. The double deck games in the high limit area offer the same rules as the main floor. The shoe blackjack tables in the high limit salon have a 0.46% house edge because they hit soft 17 these days. That change was made in 2015. Before then, all high limit blackjack games stayed on all 17’s.
If you must play at Luxor, head to the video blackjack machines. It is in front of the cashier cage. Otherwise, all blackjack bets below $25 will get short paid. High limit players should take the escalator up to the corridor and walk to Mandalay Bay. The $25 shoe games allow all of the good rules except hitting soft 17. Players giving $200 and higher action get stand on 17 blackjack games.