Atlantic City Vs Las Vegas
Atlantic City and Las Vegas have always been in a neck-and-neck rivalry over the “Best Gambling City in the USA” title. To answer the question in the title, we must say that gambling became legal in the state of Nevada, including in Las Vegas, in 1931. New Jersey Is Nothing Like Nevada. The most obvious difference everyone.
Many towns and states across America offer blackjack. However, few blackjack destinations are more notable than Atlantic City and Las Vegas.
These two iconic gambling towns both have plenty of tables for you to enjoy. But how do they compare to each other in terms of blackjack?
I’m going to cover how Vegas and Atlantic City differ from each other regarding blackjack rules, casinos, card counting, and blackjack variations.
Slight Rule Variations
At first glance, Las Vegas and Atlantic City feature nearly identical rules. However, they do have slight discrepancies in this category.
I’ll start by going over the common Vegas Strip game:
- 4 decks
- Natural blackjack pays 6:5; but it can also pay 3:2
- Dealer stands on soft 17
- Dealer peaks for a natural with a 10 or ace upcard
- You can double down on any two cards
- You can double down after splitting (DAS)
- Split your hand up to three times (4 total hands)
- Split aces once
- You only receive one card after splitting aces
Again, Atlantic City rules are almost exactly the same as what’s featured on the Vegas Strip (and beyond). However, AC does have the following rule exceptions:
Both games can give you a solid chance to win. The main question involves if you’re being paid 3:2 or 6:5 on blackjacks.
A 3:2 payout lowers the house edge by 1.39% in comparison to 6:5. Given that this rule varies in both Sin City and AC, I see no major differences in the rules between the two.
Verdict: Atlantic City and Vegas tie on the standard rules
Vegas Features Far More Casinos
The Vegas Strip game is merely a standard set of rules found at many casinos throughout Sin City. However, it by no means encompasses the entire town.
Certain casinos located downtown and on the Boulder Strip feature some of the world’s best blackjack rules. They offer single-deck tables with 3:2 natural payouts and other player-friendly rules.
Such games are only possible due to Las Vegas’ immense selection of casinos. Sin City features 136 gambling venues at the time of this writing.
You may find Vegas Strip rules at the majority of the town’s casinos. However, you can also locate a few exceptions that offer blackjack house edges lower than 0.5%.
Atlantic City features nine casinos—10 when counting Bally’s and Wild Wild West as separate entities. Each of these establishments is a large resort that caters to many tourists.
In contrast, some of Vegas’ 136 casinos are smaller venues that serve locals. In short, Atlantic City feels bigger than just 10 casinos.
The problem, though, is that AC doesn’t have the top-to-bottom variety in terms of blackjack. Most of its casinos feature standard Atlantic City rules.
This town doesn’t have the small locals establishments that offer incredible blackjack rules. You’ll miss this variety if you’re looking for the absolute-best chance to win.
Verdict: Vegas offers numerous blackjack casinos
Atlantic City Can’t Ban Card Counters
Casinos have never welcomed card counters with open arms. Almost every gambling jurisdiction lets casinos kick out advantage players.
Atlantic City is the one gaming destination, though, that doesn’t allow casinos to do this. Based on a ruling in Uston v. Resorts International, AC casinos can’t discriminate against skilled gamblers.
Why Atlantic City Casinos Failed
Of course, this law doesn’t prevent gambling establishments from changing the rules (i.e. 8 decks & 6:5 payouts) or asking the dealer to shuffle more often (reduces deck penetration). In theory, though, it makes Atlantic City the perfect card counting destination under the right rules.
You can still find great tables to count cards at thanks to the sheer variety alone. But you will be booted if you’re caught.
Verdict: Atlantic City is, theoretically, the best destination for counting cards
Sin City Offers Some of the Best Blackjack Games Anywhere
Again, the average game between Las Vegas and Atlantic City isn’t much different regarding rules. However, Vegas has the rarest-and-best games.
El Cortez is a perfect example. Located in downtown, it features a single deck, 3:2 payouts, and other favorable rules that create a 0.34% house edge.
You can’t do any better than this at online casinos! Other venues, such as Silverton, have similar rules and house advantages ranging between 0.4% and 0.5%.
Atlantic City features the occasional table with a 0.5% house edge. But you normally need to wager $50 or more to play in these games.
The average table features eight decks and other house-friendly rules. And while these games don’t differ much from the Vegas Strip, they can’t compete with the Sin City locals casinos.
Verdict: Las Vegas features the best blackjack odds
Vegas Also Has More Blackjack Variations
Las Vegas is king when it comes to different variations of blackjack. It features Blackjack Switch, Double Attack, double deck, pontoon, progressive, single deck, Spanish 21, and Vegas Strip rules.
These are only the variations that I’ve personally found. Therefore, Vegas probably offers nearly a dozen more variants beyond what’s mentioned here.
Atlantic City mostly sticks to the rules covered before. You’re looking at standard six- or eight-deck tables with either 3:2 or 6:5 payouts and (possibly) late surrender.
I’ve seen Blackjack Switch, Double Attack, and double deck games featured here. By and large, though, AC is sorely lacking when it comes to variations.
Verdict: Sin City easily wins in this category
The Average Atlantic City Casino Is Classier
Sin City offers the finest penthouses, hottest nightclubs, best restaurants, and most-impressive amenities out of any gambling destination.
However, it also has plenty of low-rent dives that look like they haven’t been updated since the Welcome to Fabulous Las Vegas sign was put up. In short, you get the best of the best and lowest of the low here.
You don’t need to worry about roach motels during AC blackjack trips. Instead, all of these casinos serve tourists and try to remain in tip-top shape. You’ll appreciate this opulence when you’re away from the blackjack tables.
Verdict: All Atlantic City casinos offer solid amenities beyond blackjack
Overall Verdict on Vegas vs. Atlantic City Blackjack
Before starting this post, I fully knew that Las Vegas was going to take the crown for the top blackjack destination.
It has far more casinos and tables than Atlantic City. Sin City also features blackjack house edges ranging from 0.34% to 0.5% at certain establishments.
The average Atlantic City casino compares well with the average Vegas joint in terms of rules. AC, however, doesn’t offer the aforementioned locals casinos with amazing blackjack odds.
But Atlantic City also has its positives regarding blackjack. First off, you’ll be playing in style no matter where you go. This town doesn’t have any true dive casinos like Vegas does.
It also prevents gambling establishments from banning you just because you’re counting cards. AC is the only major gaming destination with this card-counter-friendly law in place.
Looking at everything as a whole, I have to give Las Vegas the edge when it comes to playing blackjack. However, I’m more impressed with Atlantic City’s blackjack scene than I expected to be.
Conclusion
Las Vegas boasts the best blackjack action anywhere. It showcases more variations and tables than Atlantic City or any other town for that matter.
If you’re serious about finding the most-favorable blackjack odds, then you should visit Sin City. Vegas has the most to offer blackjack enthusiasts.
However, Atlantic City makes for a nice alternative if you can’t make it to Sin City. This East Coast gambling hub offers plenty of tables and decent rules.
Assuming you’re into advantage play, then you’ll also appreciate the fact that AC casinos can’t ban you for counting cards.
If you’re trying to figure out the best place for your next gambling vacation, then Atlantic City and Las Vegas are no doubt on your list. Even if you’re willing to travel outside the United States, these are two of the biggest names in casinos and gambling and offer amazing opportunities for anyone passionate about this pastime and industry.
Though located in two very different parts of the United States, and with very different environments, anyone who visits can expect a luxurious experience, great opportunities to enjoy classic casino games and amazing hotel resorts that make your stay as relaxing or exciting as you like them to be!
Historic Ties to Casinos and Gambling
Atlantic City hasn’t always been a hotspot for casinos and netticasinos. In fact, gambling was only legalized in the state of New Jersey after a referendum vote in 1974, with casinos being approved two years later. The referendum decision meant that casinos could only originally be built in Atlantic City, and at the time, Nevada was the only other state in America with legal casinos. So, Atlantic City quickly grew as the alternative to Las Vegas and to this day remains one of the best places to gamble in the United States.
Vegas, however, has a much longer history. Gambling was introduced to the region in the late 1800s, driven largely by the wealth of those involved in the California gold rush. It was in 1931, however, that Las Vegas really began to grow, and in the 1970s, hotel-casinos and resorts were established that made it the huge phenomenon it is today.
Where Are You Coming From?
One key consideration when you’re thinking about your next gambling adventure is the distance between your home and your destination. While most people are happy to travel if the vacation is going to be amazing, there’s no reason to go further than necessary!
Las Vegas is located in Nevada, on the Western side of the United States, just one state over from the coastal state of California. If you’re traveling from Western states like Washington, Oregon, California, Arizona or Idaho, then Las Vegas is certainly the best option for you. Atlantic City, however, is located on the Eastern coast of the United States and is surrounded by much smaller states than Arizona. If you’re traveling from the East coast, or perhaps even from Europe, Atlantic City is much more reachable for most people.
Your decision ultimately comes down to whether you believe Atlantic City and Las Vegas are on par with one another when it comes to casinos and hotel resorts!
Hotels and Resorts
When it comes to hotels and resorts, Atlantic City and Las Vegas have lots to offer. In terms of fame, however, Las Vegas probably wins this one. The famous Las Vegas Strip is home to recreations of the Eiffel Tower, grand water fountains, and even a giant Statue of Liberty, all of which belong to casino hotels and resorts. In total, there are more than 150,000 hotel rooms in Las Vegas – meaning you’ll have a lot of choices and will never go without a place to stay.
That isn’t to say Atlantic City doesn’t have a lot to offer. The largest hotel on offer features 2,4000 rooms and is spread out across four towers – with the Havana Tower being the most recent and modern.
Casinos
With regards to the number of casinos available, Vegas wins this one again – though that isn’t necessarily an indicator of how good a time visitors have. Las Vegas is home to more than 130 different casinos, all of different sizes and quality. The MGM Grand and New York New York are classic casinos most tourists will want to visit, but there are plenty of smaller casinos that aren’t so different to what you might expect in any other city.
Atlantic City has some amazing casinos on offer, too. The Hard Rock Hotel Casino and Ocean Casino Resort are two popular options that are often compared to the MGM Grand. There’s also the Tropicana Atlantic City, a casino and resort that is right next to the beach.
Weigh up these three considerations, and you’ll know the place to visit. If beaches are important to you, Atlantic City wins hands down. For more casinos and resorts, Las Vegas wins.