Introduction
Blackjack may not be one of the oldest casino table games, but it is for sure the most popular one. You would be hard-pressed to find a gaming establishment that can legally feature it but opts not to. That is so thanks to it having a super simple ruleset, a low house edge, and the fact that it can generate massive profits for operators via high-roller tables.
Sadly, New York has a somewhat restrictive view of casino-style gaming. In 1998, the Indian Gaming Regulatory Act allowed tribal territories to develop gambling venues in the state. Yet, it was not until 2013 that laws got passed allowing the operation of commercial casinos. Thus, now both tribal and commercial New York casinos with table games with twenty-one live table action.
Currently, officials are running interactive gaming surveys to determine if they should allow online blackjack for real money for their residents. Can you play online blackjack in New York is a phrase with a massive search volume. This option is now only available on foreign-based platforms. Whether or not New York-operated sites will soon appear is a topic for another day. Below, we inform you of what casinos are in New York state with twenty-one live tables.
How to Play Blackjack
As mentioned above, blackjack is a pretty straightforward game that is thrilling and allows for strategy use. Those that have never come in contact with it should grasp the following:
- Blackjack gets played with a standard 52-card deck.
- Most tables shuffle six decks together, meaning that three hundred and twelve cards are in play.
- The aim is to beat the dealer by getting a card total as close as possible to twenty-one, without going bust, going over this figure.
- Face cards count as tens, while Aces are worth one or eleven, depending on which is more beneficial.
- Both you and the dealer get dealt two cards each at the start of every round. You keep both of your cards face down while the dealer has one of his with its face up.
- You can decide to play the cards you have been given or ask for more.
In short, that is about it.
Best Casinos For Blackjack In New York
The New York State Gaming Commission oversees the operation of twelve brick-and-mortar casinos and racinos. Most of these features no table games or only automatic ones. There are an additional fifteen tribal gaming venues that the state does not regulate. These offer most casino-style gambling products found at top-end Las Vegas locales.
· Akwesasne Mohawk Casino — Located on State Route 37 in Hogansburg, the Akwesasne Mohawk Casino has been up and running since 1999. It houses thirty game tables, including multiple single-deck and double-deck blackjack ones. You can also find a Spanish 21 table on this casino's gaming floor.
· Seneca Niagara Casino and Hotel — This venue became operational in 2002 when the Seneca Nation converted the Niagara Falls Convention and Civic Center into a casino. The tribe did so to compete with Ontario's Fallsview Casino Resort and Casino Niagara. It features more than sixty table games, of which a few are blackjack and Spanish 21 ones.
· Seneca Allegany Casino and Hotel — Founded in 2012, Seneca Allegany Casino is a gambling resort in Salamanca, on Seneca Allegany Boulevard. It features the same table options as the Seneca Nation's Niagara establishment.
· Turning Stone Resort and Casino — Opened in 1993 on Patrick Road in Verona, The Turning Stone Resort and Casino boasts a gaming floor of 120,000 square feet that hosts over eighty table games. Classic blackjack, double-deck blackjack, and Spanish 21 are on offer here.
· Del Lago Resort and Casino — The Del Lago is a rare commercial establishment that features live croupier action in the Empire state. That is why many consider it the best casino in New York. Remember, you can always play online blackjack for real cash at offshore sites. However, if you want an authentic table experience, the Del Lago is an apt choice. It offers sixty-six table games, of which many are blackjack ones with varying minimum bet limits.
Five Perfect Blackjack Strategies
Blackjack has a reputation for being the favorite casino product for high-rollers and experienced players due to the perception that its mastery can lead to long-term profits. It is a fact that with the use of an optimal strategy, you can lower the default blackjack house edge from 2% to as low as 0.5%. That involves memories a vast chart of the best moves in any given possible scenario. Naturally, we do not have the space needed to detail all of them here, so we have picked out five rudimentary ones that you must remember. They are:
- Split a Pair of Eights and Aces — You should do this regardless of what the dealer holds. The math shows that you will lose less money by splitting eights instead of hitting a hard sixteen. We do not even have to get into why it is beneficial to split Aces.
- Hit a Hard Twelve Against a Dealer's Two or Three Up-card — Do not chicken out in this situation. The reality is that against a croupier's two or three up-card, you will lose money in the long haul whether you hit or stand. That said, you are less likely to lose money by asking for more cards when holding this combo.
- Double Down on a Hard Eleven — Basic strategy dictates that a complicated eleven is the most substantial hand you can have, as you cannot go bust if you choose to hit.
- Double Down on a Ten When the Dealer Has a Nine or Less — You are always the favorite when you hold a two-card ten, and the dealer has a hand consisting of a nine or less.
- Never Make the Insurance Bet — Avoid the insurance wager at all costs. Many consider it a sucker bet, as its house edge is 5.8% in single-deck games.
If you want to get proficient at blackjack, the best course of action is to Google a strategy chart, attempt to memorize it, and test out your skills at an online casino utilizing a demo-play option. Playing for fun on the internet will get you ready when you hit physical locales and have to stare a dealer in the eye when getting your cards.
To Wrap Up
When it comes to dealer blackjack in New York, the best options are tribal casinos or the Del Lago Resort. All other establishments either feature electronic twenty-one machines or none at all. Offshore online casinos are always an option, as these platforms feature live croupier action that suits players of all-sized bankrolls. That said, it may not be long before New York state passes a law allowing companies based in the states to offer interactive gaming services to locals, including RNG and live dealer blackjack.
About the Author
Shelly Schiff has been working in the gambling industry since 2009, mainly on the digital side of things, employed by Safest Betting Sites. However, over her eleven-year career, Shelly has provided content for many other top interactive gaming websites. She knows all there is to know about slots and has in-depth knowledge of the most popular table games. Her golden retriever Garry occupies most of her leisure time. Though, when she can, she loves reading Jim Thompson-like crime novels.
