Unlike many casinos on the Vegas Strip, The Cromwell recently added a slew of player friendly games. Most casinos on the Vegas Strip have been consistently downgrading their gaming over the past five years or so. Most blackjack games on the Vegas Strip that have a minimum bet under $25 will only pay 6:5 for a natural blackjack.

Currently, casinos must pay 3 to 2 on a blackjack, meaning a $10 bet would win $15. The new rule lowers that payout to $12. Gaming consultant Bill Zender says the 6 to 5 payout works in Vegas because tourists are there to gamble. Why You Should Avoid 6-to-5 Blackjack Games By Henry Tamburin There's an awful blackjack game that is spreading like wildfire in casinos throughout the US. The game is played with a single deck of cards (that’s the come-on) and when a player gets a blackjack, he is paid at 6-to-5 instead of the traditional 3-to-2.

The Cromwell went the other direction. The casino built on the bones of Barbary Coast and Bill’s Gambling Hall recently added blackjack games that pay 3:2 when a player is dealt a natural blackjack. They didn’t just add a couple of green chip tables. Caesars Entertainment flipped the script by switching most of the tables to the player friendly payouts.

The 40,000 square floor at The Cromwell is one of the smallest on the Vegas Strip. The majority of the blackjack games on the main casino floor now pay 3:2 instead of 6:5 you’ll find at most casinos the area. There are approximately 20 blackjack tables offering the better payout for players that are dealt a natural blackjack.

6 To 5 Blackjack Payouts

Most of the blackjack games at The Cromwell have eight decks but there are a few double deck blackjack games. Best of all is that midweek minimum bets are $15 or $10. There aren’t many casinos on the Vegas Strip that offer a 3:2 blackjack for less than $25. The eight deck games have an approximate house edge of 0.64%. The double deck games have an approximate house edge of 0.52%. House edge is based on playing with perfect basic strategy.

Don’t just dive into a blackjack game expecting to be paid 3:2 when you’re dealt a natural blackjack. Make sure you read the rules of the table before sitting down. There are still blackjack games at The Cromwell that pay 6:5 when a player is dealt a natural blackjack. This more than triples the house edge for each game.

More Great Gambling At The Cromwell

Caesars Entertainment didn’t stop with blackjack when improving the gaming rules at The Cromwell. They also added a single zero roulette game and EZ baccarat. Double zero roulette has a house edge of 5.25% according to the Wizard of Odds. Single zero roulette only has a house edge of 2.70%. Both games are available so make sure you look at the layout before choosing a game.

3 To 2 Blackjack

They also built a new sportsbook in the eastern part of the casino near the valet entrance. These new games are in addition to the best craps odds in Las Vegas. The Cromwell is the only casino in Las Vegas currently offering 100x odds on craps. The casino also offers six video poker machines with 25 cents 9/6 Jacks or Better and some other full-pay returns.

Blackjack 3 To 2 Vs 6 To 5

When The Cromwell opened they offered a few blackjack games that paid 3:2 when I player was dealt a natural blackjack. Those quietly went away on the main casino floor. Even though the 6:5 blackjack tables were often full the casino operator decided to improve the games for players.

3 To 2 Or 6 To 5 Blackjack Tables

The Cromwell has been one of my favorite casinos to gamble on the Vegas Strip since it opened. The environment is lively and the dealers and pit bosses are among the nicest on the Vegas Strip. The addition of blackjack games that pay 3:2 will definitely have me move some of my action from Pai Gow and video poker to blackjack.