Monte Carlo is located in the center of the Las Vegas Strip. It is owned by MGM Resorts. Monte Carlo is themed after the casino-resort town in Monaco. MGM Resorts announced that the property will receive a new name in 2016 or 2017. The new branding is not yet known. It may be related to a city park setting being developed between it and New York New York. It could also be themed with the new Las Vegas arena under construction behind Monte Carlo where an NHL team may play one day.
The Monte Carlo resort opened on June 21, 1996. It hosts 3,000 hotel rooms. Monte Carlo spreads just over 100,000 square feet of space on its casino floor.
Monte Carlo Tables and Games
Like many casinos under the MGM Resorts umbrella, Monte Carlo once hosted respectable blackjack games. That is no longer the case.
There are eight blackjack tables in the party pit that are found just inside the front door. These tables are only open on weekends. Players can double down on any two cards and after the split. This game has a house edge of 2.01%. There are 11 other tables with these same rules in the main pit. The bet limits are $10 to $1,000 at these games.
There is only one blackjack game on the main casino floor that pays 3-2 on a natural. It uses two decks. The bet limits are $25 to $2,000 at this table. Players may double down on any two cards and after splitting. The house edge on this game is 0.4%.
Blackjack Switch is available at two tables at Monte Carlo. The bet limits are $15 to $1,000. Keep in mind that players must make two wagers, making this game a true $30 minimum bet. The dealer hits soft 17 at Blackjack Switch at Monte Carlo.
There are two video blackjack machines that have a $5 minimum bet. Players may double down before and after splitting. Surrender is also available. The dealer hits soft 17. The game does not issue MLife points. Players may insert the card to track wins and losses. Guests working with a host should use a card on this machine to demonstrate action being given.
The best blackjack games at Monte Carlo are in the high limit salon. These games are still not all that great. The bet limits are $100 to $10,000.
The two double deck blackjack games permit double down on any two cards and after splitting. The dealer hits soft 17. These are the same rules as the 0.4% edge game available for $25 on the main floor.
There are two six-deck shoe games. Players can double down on any two cards and after splitting. Surrender and re-split aces are also permitted. The dealer hits soft 17, something uncommon on shoe games in Las Vegas high limit salons. The house edge is 0.48% in these games.
What’s Different?
Monte Carlo offers very little to differentiate it from other Las Vegas Strip casinos. The 19 6-5 tables are certainly not worth playing. The one double deck game offers better returns than the two-deck games spread by Caesars properties because at Monte Carlo doubling down after splitting is allowed. At least Monte Carlo still offers two video blackjack games for $5 that pays 3-2 and permit double down before and after splitting, as well as surrender. Low limit players should give action there.
High limit players will notice that Monte Carlo now hits soft 17 in the salon, a change made in April 2015. Before that date, Monte Carlo high limit blackjack games stood on all 17’s.
MLife Rewards for Frequent Players
There is no worse players club for blackjack players than MLife. Monte Carlo will not rate your play for action lower than $25. Black chip players will get free hotel rooms. Using the card in the video blackjack games may bring the same offers. Save your MLife card for slots and video poker.
The Inside View
It is hard to believe the blackjack conditions at Monte Carlo are as bad as they are. It was once a great place to play blackjack. MGM Resorts destroyed the place in 2014. It wasn’t just the tables on the main floor that went 6-5. The high limit salon went from a $50 minimum to a $100 bet a few months later. That is not the only bad rule change. The dealer now hits soft 17 in high limit. This is an atrocious rule that we find unacceptable for $100 action.
There is an easy solution to the terrible rules at Monte Carlo. There is a corridor that connects Monte Carlo and Aria. If you are willing to give $25 action, walk to Aria or take the tram to Bellagio. That gets 3-2 games where double down before and after splitting is permitted, as well as surrender and re-split aces on a shoe. If you can afford $50 action, the dealer stands on all 17’s. The double deck at Aria stands on all 17’s. It also allows double down before and after splitting.
Monte Carlo is an affordable hotel to stay. It also has other benefits. We suggest using it as a base and going to neighboring casinos for action.