The Bellagio is renowned for its artificial lake with whirling fountains. They have starred in blockbuster films ranging from thrillers such as Ocean’s Eleven and “21” to comedies such as The Hangover and Rush Hour 2. Behind the world-famous water display, however, is something even more impressive: a 100,000-square-foot casino with 81 of its 188 blackjack tables [1] and better odds of winning than almost anywhere else in Las Vegas.
Bellagio Tables & Games
The Bellagio reportedly has some of the most liberal and fair blackjack regulations on the Las Vegas Strip, and not just at the high limit tables. This is especially true of the rules regarding splitting pairs, which permit splitting up to three times to create four separate hands, re-splitting Aces (RSA), and doubling down after a split (DAS) [2]. Only the double-deck game with limits of $50–$10,000 prohibits RSA and surrender, but because the dealer must stand on all totals of 17, the house advantage of 0.27 percent [3] is nearly the best in Las Vegas.
At six-deck shoe tables, two variations of the game are played. Both offer surrender, RSA, and DAS, and one has the dealer hit on soft 17, which is common on the Strip for $10 and $15 games and gives the house a 0.48 percent advantage. The other variation, in which the dealer stands on all 17s, has a House advantage of just 0.28%, making it arguably the best low-stakes game available [4].
A handful of Blackjack Switch tables are located elsewhere in the pit area. Avoid low-limit tables that utilize continuous shuffle devices. On the slot floor, there are several IGT video blackjack consoles that take wagers in increments of 25 cents, 50 cents, and one dollar.
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What’s Unique?
As stated previously, the Bellagio’s house rules are among the most generous on the Strip, but that’s not the only good news for blackjack players. This casino, unlike some of its less well-established neighbors (read: “Cosmopolitan”), does not have a vendetta against advantage gamblers. The dealers are focused on managing the games, not on catching card counters, and according to at least one regular, “the fact that a lot of money flows through Bellagio will allow you to place numerous large bets without much pressure from the pit.” [5]
M Lifestyle for Regular Blackjack Players
As a member of MGM Resorts International, the Bellagio shares its player’s club with sister properties such as the MGM Grand, Aria, Mandalay Bay, the Mirage, Excalibur, and New York, New York. The loyalty program is referred to as “M life” and, unlike some of its competitors, it does not combine “points” awarded for slot play with credit earned for table games [6]. Blackjack players instead “are eligible to earn Express Comps and Tier Credits based on table games play… based on your average bet and time played.” At any M life destination, Express Comps can be redeemed for hotel accommodations, dining, entertainment, M life Moments, and more. As participants progress through the Sapphire, Pearl, Gold, Platinum, and NOIR tiers, they earn an increasing number of Express Comps for their play. However, the fine print cannot be ignored; “a minimum wagering requirement must be met in order to be rated for Table Games; please see the pit supervisor at each participating M life resort for assistance.” If you gamble with an American Express card, you can combine your land-based casino’s rewards program with the one offered by Amex.
The Inside Perspective
“Club Privé” is the high-limit lounge and gaming area of the Bellagio [7] for those who prefer semi-private games. Designed by Adam Tihany, it offers high rollers a private space with a modern aesthetic, including an elevated floor, interconnecting metal, dark wood, glass, and silver-leafed screen partitions, and subdued lighting created by Venetian glass panels and fixtures. A special selection of “Lucky 8” spirits contributes to the atmosphere of exclusivity, offering players such rarities as Xellent Vodka, which is pot-distilled from Swiss rye and blended with pure glacier water from the Swiss Alps, and Hardy “Rosebud” Cognac—a blend of small lots of cognac collected by Armand Hardy after World War I.
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