The Downtown Grand has been a complete failure. It is hard to put what Downtown Grand has done wrong into words without seeing it firsthand. The casino spent $100 million to upgrade the shuttered Lady Luck into what is known today as Downtown Grand. There are few people in Las Vegas that would describe that investment as a success. Downtown Grand has scrambled trying to fix it but it may be too late to save the ailing casino, no matter how luxurious it is.
Downtown Grand Tables and Games
Downtown Grand has tried a variety of ways to become profitable. All have failed. Its latest attempt involves moving all table games into the former high limit salons. Most players will find this area stuffy with roulette and blackjack tables crammed into two small rooms. There are two craps tables located just outside this room.
There are six blackjack tables in this area. Five are six-deck shoes that permit double down before and after splitting, as well as surrender and re-split aces. The dealer hits soft 17. The house edge is 0.47%. Limits are $10 to $1,000.
There is also a $25 to $2,000 double deck blackjack game. Double down before and after splitting is permitted. The dealer hits soft 17. The house edge is 0.4%.
Downtown Grand’s blackjack pit is only open from 2pm to 2am on weeknights and noon to 2am on weekends. The new hours encouraged it to bring video table games into the place. This includes video craps, roulette and blackjack. All accept a players card.
There is one video blackjack game. It has five seats and is distributed by IGT. The dealer hits on soft 17’s. Double down before and after splitting is permitted. Surrender is also available. The house edge is 0.55%. The bet limits are $1 to $100.
Downtown Grand Players Club for Frequent Blackjack Players
Downtown Grand is an odd place for blackjack players. There are varying reports as to the quality of comps players receive. It seems best to play during the week when action is sparse. We really cannot give any advice about the best way to get comps from Downtown Grand because there is no consistency, which is one of its many problems.
What’s Different?
Downtown Grand is the only casino in downtown Las Vegas that does not operate table games 24 hours a day. The casino is so poorly managed that we cannot think of any reason to play there, although its blackjack games do offer some decent returns. Downtown Grand is a running joke among Las Vegas residents. No matter what Downtown Grand does, it is the wrong decision. This includes offering some of the worst video poker in downtown Las Vegas.
The Inside View
If you don’t like what you see at Downtown Grand, just wait a week. It is truly that ridiculous. One week they will spread 6-5 pitch games, then all tables will go back to 3-2. The next thing you know, the bad rules are back. The tables games will close on you after midnight, no matter how much you are betting.
You have no idea how well you are comping because the pit bosses will not tell you. It seems they do not even know. There is no bigger trainwreck in downtown Las Vegas than Downtown Grand. The only bigger one in the city may be SLS Las Vegas, only because it invested four times more to fail.
If you manage to get a comped hotel room at Downtown Grand, it will be very nice. Make sure to eat at the Triple George Grill or Pizza Rock next door. These dining options are some of the best located downtown. They are the best things about Downtown Grand, a resort that is otherwise a complete failure.