- Appendices
- Miscellaneous
- External Links
Introduction
- Red Rock: 6: 3:2: HITS: ANY2: YES. Fiesta Henderson has a 2 deck luck ladies blackjack game. Double on any 2, double after splitting, resplit aces up to 4.
- 6-pk Cotton Blend Ear Loop Face Mask (Assorted Colors) $49.99.
Red Rock has plenty of games for these players already so they’ve opted for a smaller installation. They have back to back small-scale stadium blackjack games just off the main table game area. The Scientific Games Fusion Hybrid Stadium Blackjack at Red Rock Casino is a bit different than some larger installations and smaller electronic table.
Lucky Ladies is one of the most popular blackjack side bets ever. It started in Washington state and now can be found in casinos all over the place. The idea is that any player 20-point hand wins something. Certain twenties, especially those involving two queens pay more. I've seen various versions through the years, which I label as A, B, C, D, and E. There is also a progressive version called Bonus Lucky Ladies.
A word about terminology. A 'matched pair' means the same card in both rank and suit.
Lucky Ladies — Pay Tables A and B
| Hand | Table A | Table B |
|---|---|---|
| Q of hearts pair & dealer has BJ | 1000 to 1 | 1000 to 1 |
| Q of hearts pair | 125 to 1 | 200 to 1 |
| Matched 20 | 19 to 1 | 25 to 1 |
| Suited 20 | 9 to 1 | 10 to 1 |
| Unsuited 20 | 4 to 1 | 4 to 1 |
Lucky Ladies — Pay Table C
| Hand | Table C |
|---|---|
| Pair of queens with dealer BJ | 250 to 1 |
| Pair of queens | 25 to 1 |
| Ranked 20 | 9 to 1 |
| Suited 20 | 6 to 1 |
| Any 20 | 3 to 1 |
Lucky Ladies — Pay Table D
| Hand | Pays |
|---|---|
| Queen of hearts pair | 100 to 1 |
| Matched 20 | 30 to 1 |
| Suited 20 | 10 to 1 |
| Any 20 | 3 to 1 |
| One queen | 1 to 1 |
Lucky Ladies — Pay Table E
| Hand | Pays |
|---|---|
| Queen of hearts pair | 100 |
| Matched 20 | 25 |
| Suited 20 | 10 |
| Any 20 | 3 |
| Queen of hearts | 2 |
| Any other queen | 1 |
Analysis of Pay Table A
The next table is an analysis of pay table A with six decks. The lower right cell shows a return of 75.29%, or a house edge of 24.71%.
Lucky Ladies Pay Table A — 6 decks
| Hand | Permutations | Probability | Pays | Return |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Q of hearts pair & dealer has BJ | 135360 | 0.000015 | 1000 to 1 | 0.014563 |
| Q of hearts pair | 2738340 | 0.000295 | 125 to 1 | 0.036827 |
| Matched 20 (same rank and suit) | 43105500 | 0.004638 | 19 to 1 | 0.088115 |
| Suited 20 | 193112640 | 0.020777 | 9 to 1 | 0.186990 |
| Unsuited 20 | 744863040 | 0.080139 | 4 to 1 | 0.320554 |
| Non-20 | 8310740400 | 0.894138 | Loss | -0.894138 |
| Total | 9294695280 | 1.000000 | -0.247089 |
Analysis of Pay Table B
The next table is an analysis of pay table B with six decks. The lower right cell shows a house edge of 17.64%.
Lucky Ladies Pay Table B — 6 decks
| Hand | Permutations | Probability | Pays | Return |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Q of hearts pair & dealer has BJ | 1,000 | 135,360 | 0.000015 | 0.014563 |
| Q of hearts pair | 200 | 2,738,340 | 0.000295 | 0.058923 |
| Matched 20 (same rank and suit) | 25 | 43,105,500 | 0.004638 | 0.115941 |
| Suited 20 | 10 | 193,112,640 | 0.020777 | 0.207767 |
| Unsuited 20 | 4 | 744,863,040 | 0.080139 | 0.320554 |
| Non-20 | -1 | 8,310,740,400 | 0.894138 | -0.894138 |
| Total | 9,294,695,280 | 1.000000 | -0.176391 |
Analysis of Pay Table C
The next table is an analysis of pay table C with one deck, which is what pay table C was designed for. The lower right cell shows a house edge of 29.89% (ouch!).
Lucky Ladies Pay Table C — 1 deck
| Hand | Permutations | Probability | Pays | Return |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Pair of queens with dealer BJ | 1344 | 0.000207 | 250 to 1 | 0.051713 |
| Pair of queens | 28056 | 0.004318 | 25 to 1 | 0.107951 |
| Ranked 20 | 88200 | 0.013575 | 9 to 1 | 0.122172 |
| Suited 20 | 137200 | 0.021116 | 6 to 1 | 0.126697 |
| Any 20 | 411600 | 0.063348 | 3 to 1 | 0.190045 |
| Non-20 | 5831000 | 0.897436 | Loss | -0.897436 |
| Total | 6497400 | 1 | -0.298858 |
Analysis of Pay Table D
The next table is an analysis of pay table D with six decks. The lower right cell shows a house edge of 13.34%.
Lucky Ladies Pay Table D — 6 decks
| Hand | Pays | Combinations | Probability | Return |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Queen of hearts pair | 100 | 15 | 0.000309 | 0.030918 |
| Matched 20 | 30 | 225 | 0.004638 | 0.139129 |
| Suited 20 | 10 | 1,008 | 0.020777 | 0.207767 |
| Any 20 | 3 | 3,888 | 0.080139 | 0.240416 |
| One queen | 1 | 5,184 | 0.106851 | 0.106851 |
| Loser | -1 | 38,196 | 0.787287 | -0.787287 |
| Total | 48,516 | 1.000000 | -0.062206 |
Analysis of Pay Table E
Following is my analysis of pay table E, based on six decks.
Lucky Ladies Pay Table E — 6 decks
| Hand | Pays | Combinations | Probability | Return |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Queen of hearts pair | 100 | 15 | 0.000309 | 0.030918 |
| Matched 20 | 25 | 225 | 0.004638 | 0.115941 |
| Suited 20 | 10 | 1,008 | 0.020777 | 0.207767 |
| Any 20 | 3 | 3,888 | 0.080139 | 0.240416 |
| Queen of hearts | 2 | 1,296 | 0.026713 | 0.053426 |
| Any other queen | 1 | 3,888 | 0.080139 | 0.080139 |
| Loser | -1 | 38,196 | 0.787287 | -0.787287 |
| Total | 48,516 | 1.000000 | -0.058682 |
House Edge Summary
The next table summarizes the house edge for versions A through D for one to eight decks.
Lucky Ladies — Summary
| Decks | Pay Table A | Pay Table B | Pay Table C | Pay Table D | Pay Table E |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 29.89% | ||||
| 2 | 30.05% | 24.94% | 25.51% | 12.66% | 11.37% |
| 4 | 26.04% | 19.46% | 23.35% | 7.82% | 7.24% |
| 5 | 25.24% | 18.37% | 22.92% | 6.86% | 6.42% |
| 6 | 24.71% | 17.64% | 22.64% | 6.22% | 5.87% |
| 8 | 24.05% | 16.73% | 22.28% | 5.42% | 5.19% |
Bonus Lucky Ladies
Bonus Lucky Ladies is a $1 progressive side bet. I first noticed it on June 5, 2015 at the Palace Casino in La Center, Washington. Following is the pay table table. All wins are on a 'for one' basis, meaning the player does not get his original wager returned on a win.
Bonus Lucky Ladies — Pay Table
| Player | Dealer | Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Queen of hearts pair | Dealer BJ in hearts | 100% of Jackpot |
| Queen of hearts pair | Dealer suited BJ (not hearts) | 25% of Jackpot |
| Queen of hearts pair | Dealer BJ (not suited) | 5% of Jackpot |
| Queen of hearts pair | Anything else | $125 |
| Matched 20 | Anything | $19 |
| Suited 20 | Anything | $9 |
The next table shows the probability and return of each event, based on six decks. A question mark means a variable win, depending on the jackpot size.
Bonus Lucky Ladies — Return TableExpand
| Player | Dealer | Pays | Combinations | Probability | Return |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Queen of hearts pair | Dealer BJ in hearts | ? | 1,980 | 0.0000009 | ? |
| Queen of hearts pair | Dealer suited BJ (not hearts) | ? | 6,480 | 0.0000028 | ? |
| Queen of hearts pair | Dealer BJ (not suited) | ? | 25,380 | 0.0000109 | ? |
| Queen of hearts pair | Anything else | $125 | 684,585 | 0.0002946 | 0.0368267 |
| Matched 20 | Anything | $19 | 10,776,375 | 0.0046376 | 0.0881153 |
| Suited 20 | Anything | $9 | 48,278,160 | 0.0207767 | 0.1869899 |
| Loser | $0 | 2,263,900,860 | 0.9742765 | 0.0000000 | |
| Total | 2,263,900,860 | 1.0000000 | 0.3119318 |
The table above shows the fixed wins return 31.19%. Each $10,000 in the meter will add 2.13% to the return. To reach break-even the jackpot would need to reach $328,372.59.
Written by: Michael Shackleford
Las Vegas isn’t filled with as many low stakes tables these days, nor do they hand out as many comps. It really is a shame because even low rollers should be able to find places to play.
This is discouraging to many low rollers. But there are still several casinos that offer low stakes and solid comps.
Vegas casinos know that low rollers comprise the bulk of gamblers. In fact, research by the Las Vegas Convention and Visitors Authority shows that Sin City visitors have an average bankroll of $541.
That being said, plenty of casinos in Las Vegas still cater to the low roller. And here are the 7 best Vegas casinos for those on a budget.
1 – El Cortez – 600 Fremont Street
El Cortez has become Vegas’ low roller mecca for three reasons:
1 – They have great blackjack.
2 – They have great craps.
3 – Their comps are very generous for low rollers.
You won’t be wowed by the appearance of this casino. But you’ll certainly appreciate the three points mentioned above.
El Cortez has $5 blackjack tables that feature a single deck, 3:2 natural blackjack payouts, and doubling down on any total.
Red Rock Poker Promotions
These rules combine to offer an ultra-low 0.30% house edge, which is rare in Vegas – especially when dealing with a $5 game! Just don’t expect to count cards here because the pit bosses watch these tables like hawks.
El Cortez is just as generous with their craps action, where minimum bets are $3. You can back pass line and don’t pass line bets with up to 10x odds, which lowers the house edge to 0.184%.
It is also worth dropping by the El Cortez roulette tables. The minimum bet is $1.
Normally, casinos with low stakes offer next to nothing in comps. But El Cortez again proves to be an anomaly by offering generous rewards through Club Cortez.
2 – Boulder Station – 4111 Boulder Highway
Boulder Station is a great all-around low roller destination. Not only do they offer low stakes table games, but also generous payback and comps for machines.
You can play a $3 blackjack game here, which features 6 decks, 3:2 blackjack payouts, and the dealer hitting a soft 17. The house edge is 0.64% at the $3 tables.
The $5 game features 2 decks, 3:2 blackjack payouts, the dealer standing on a soft 17, and late surrender. These rules combine to deliver a 0.40% house edge.
Boulder Station also features the same craps game as El Cortez, where minimum bets are $3 and you can take up to 10x odds.
Where this casino really separates itself is in the video poker department. They have full-pay versions of Deuces Wild (100.76% payback), Joker Wild (100.65%), Double Bonus (100.17%), Loose Deuces Wild (100.15%), and Double Double Bonus (100.07%).
The Station Casinos loyalty program is one of the best in Vegas. It offers 3 points for every $1 wagered on most video poker and slot machines, giving you a 0.30% rebate.
Do note, though, that any machine with over 100% payback only delivers 1 point per $4 wagered.
Boulder Station is a serious rival to El Cortez in the lower roller world. The only areas where Boulder Station trails include the baccarat ($5 minimum) and roulette ($4 minimum) tables.
3 – Santa Fe Station – 4949 North Rancho Drive
Santa Fe Station offers a nice mixture of low stakes table games, including blackjack, craps, roulette, and Pai Gow poker.
The blackjack tables feature $5 minimum bets, 2 decks, 3:2 blackjack payouts, the dealer hitting a soft 17, and re-splitting aces. This game features a 0.46% house edge, which is close to the top tables at El Cortez and Boulder Station.
The craps games here feature 10x odds and a $5 minimum wager.
You can also enjoy an electronic craps game that features $1 minimum bets and 5x odds. This is great for machine players who want to experience craps away from the table atmosphere.
Red Rock Poker Room Phone Number
Here are minimum stakes for other games at Santa Fe Station:
- Baccarat = $10
- Pai Gow poker = $5
- Roulette = $4
- Three card poker = $5
- Ultimate Texas Hold’em = $5
Santa Fe is part of the Stations Casino network. This means that you can enjoy the same generous loyalty program described in the Boulder Station section.
You can also look forward to the same full-pay video poker machines that are featured at Boulder Station.
4 – East Cannery – 5255 Boulder Highway
Easy Cannery is a solid off-Strip casino that offers decent blackjack and craps action.
The minimum blackjack bet is $5, and these tables feature 2 decks, double down on any total, and double down after splitting. The house edge is 0.46% on East Cannery’s $5 blackjack tables.
The craps tables feature a $3 minimum bet with 10x odds, which is the standard for top low roller casinos.
Pai Gow poker players will appreciate the EZ no-commission tables here. These games feature a 2.47% house edge, which is about as good as you’ll find for Pai Gow poker.
The video poker and slot machine action is okay, but nothing to boast about. However, the table game rules and house edges make East Cannery worth a visit.
5 – Red Rock Casino – 11011 West Charleston Boulevard
Red Rock is the most-luxurious casino on this list. It features a number of amenities, including a dozen restaurants, 16-screen Movie Theater, giant pool area, and nearby hiking trails.
They aren’t quite as generous with their low stakes gaming action as other Station Casinos properties. But Red Rock offers a nice combination of amenities and low stakes play.
If you don’t mind being away from the Vegas Strip, then Red Rock is definitely worth visiting for resort-minded low rollers.
Red Rock offers a $10 blackjack game with 2 decks, double down on any total, and double down after splitting. These tables feature a 0.46% house edge.
The video poker machines are very good at Red Rock. You can look forward to full-pay versions of Deuces Wild, Double Bonus, Loose Deuces, and Double Double Bonus. You won’t find a high-class resort with better video poker action.
This casino also features a poker room with $2/$4 no-limit Texas hold’em and $5/$10 Omaha.
The craps and roulette tables are okay in terms of minimum bets. But the craps tables only offer up to 5x odds.
Red Rock Poker Bad Beat Jackpot
6 – Texas Station – 2101 Texas Star Lane
Texas Station is the fourth Station Casinos-owned venue to make this list. And Texas Station is here because they offer good low roller blackjack, craps, roulette, and video poker.
This casino features three different blackjack games.
The best is the $5 minimum bet table, which has 2 decks, re-splitting aces, 3:2 blackjack payouts, and a 0.40% house edge. The $3 tables offer 2 decks, 3:2 blackjack payouts, no re-splitting aces, and a 0.64% house edge.
You want to avoid the single-deck tables because they have 6:5 blackjack payouts and a 1.70% house advantage.
The craps tables fall in line with the best low roller casinos because minimum bets are $3 and you can take 10x odds.
The roulette minimum stakes are $4, while the Pai Gow poker tables require a $5 minimum bet.
7 – Arizona Charlie’s – 4575 Boulder Highway
Arizona Charlie’s is a close rival to El Cortez when it comes to $5 blackjack games.
They have a double-deck game with 3:2 blackjack payouts, double down on any total and double down after splitting. These $5 tables feature a 0.34% house edge.
The craps game is another reason to play here because it features $5 minimum bets and up to 10x odds.
Be sure to join the Ace Play rewards program if you play here. This loyalty plan features several tiers and cashback that increases along with your status.
Conclusion
Las Vegas has been transitioning away from their reliance on gambling over the past decade. This means that most Vegas Strip casinos concentrate on their amenities, nightclubs, and restaurants first, then worry about the casino games.
But it’s nice to know that several casinos still value casino players, including the ones on a budget.
My favorite low roller establishment is definitely El Cortez because it offers the best low stakes blackjack and roulette action in Vegas. You can also look forward to plenty of comps, which only sweetens the deal.
Station Casinos has done an excellent job at creating a network of casinos that focus on gaming and low rollers.
You can always find good blackjack action at these casinos, while the craps is normally pretty good too. And the best part is that you can sign up for their rewards program and pick up comps at every Station Casinos venue.
As covered earlier, Red Rock is definitely the best option for those who want low stakes combined with the features of a largescale resort.
Red Rock Casino Blackjack Minimum
Also, keep Arizona Charlie’s Boulder and East Cannery in mind when looking to stretch your bankroll.
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