BJ in Mandalay Bay

[GIBOR365]

I'm going for a first time to LV (Mandalay Bay).
I started to learn basic BJ strategy and was wandering what are the BJ rules at Mandalay Bay? How many decks, H17 or S17, rules of split and doubles, surrender? Just want to know which strategy is better to memorize.

Can I use "cheat sheet " while playing?
What is the minimum bet?

 

[aslan]

I'm going for a first time to LV (Mandalay Bay).
I started to learn basic BJ strategy and was wandering what are the BJ rules at Mandalay Bay? How many decks, H17 or S17, rules of split and doubles, surrender? Just want to know which strategy is better to memorize.

Can I use "cheat sheet " while playing?
What is the minimum bet?

I have never seen a DD game at Mandalay Bay less than $25. They do have lower limit games for 6D, with LS. Last time I was there I got stuck at their 6D game ($10 or $15 min, I think) with good rules and S17 I think. I switched to the DD game (H17) and got even, but on paper the 6D game should have been better.

You can use a little plastic BS card (you can buy in a casino gift shop) at just about any casino in Vegas.

I somewhat remember that stint-- last March, I think it was. I showed so much counter behavior that I had to really cool it for a long while before I felt confident I could launch another attack without being backed off. Stupid really. It's more profitable to simply go to another store. But I did get comped $100 at one of their restaurants for my long play and the wife really enjoyed it--especially the part about it being "free." lol Plus, I did manage to get even.

BTW, for such a comp don't be bashful about asking the pit boss for it.

Most of these higher class casinos will not pay any attention to you if you are just pulling out a thousand or two, and especially will pay you no heed if you are only spreading lightly, but of course you are giving up much if not all your advantage. A few thousand is really chump change in their view, and you would have to attract a pit boss's attention to get them to waste any time on you. Your cover, if you use it, is really for the pit people who generally don't know counting from shine-ola. If they get an eye to watch you, you'll be ID'ed in a flash.

If you're just playing BS, I'd go for the 6D with LS, S17, but scout around for good pen. The HE should be very low.

 

[steve waugh]

Vegas is a tough place to start counting

Vegas is a tough place to learn your art. You would be better off learning and practicing on a computer, home, local casinos rather than try it out there. Even if you are not a threat immediately, they might mark you ( I am not saying they would) as they are sharper than most other places. If you are young, you might have several years of Vegas trips to savour and you would rather be better off being READY than learning at Vegas. Otherwise, backoffs are faster than any other place I know.

Having said that, at bet stakes under $100, you would not have much of an issue anywhere. Since there are plenty of casinos, just keep moving around.

Good luck and have fun.

Waugh

 

[aslan]

Vegas is a tough place to learn your art. You would be better off learning and practicing on a computer, home, local casinos rather than try it out there. Even if you are not a threat immediately, they might mark you ( I am not saying they would) as they are sharper than most other places. If you are young, you might have several years of Vegas trips to savour and you would rather be better off being READY than learning at Vegas. Otherwise, backoffs are faster than any other place I know.

Having said that, at bet stakes under $100, you would not have much of an issue anywhere. Since there are plenty of casinos, just keep moving around.

Good luck and have fun.

Waugh

There are 78 Las Vegas casinos listed in the Las Vegas Advisor. I am an average player, with more winnings than losses over a three-year period and hundreds of hours of play, and have only been backed off once. I attribute this lack of back-offs to my willingness to trade some of my advantage for cover for longevity or laziness, but not to the point of losing. Whatever floats your boat.

 

[StudiodeKadent]

I'm going for a first time to LV (Mandalay Bay).
I started to learn basic BJ strategy and was wandering what are the BJ rules at Mandalay Bay? How many decks, H17 or S17, rules of split and doubles, surrender? Just want to know which strategy is better to memorize.

Can I use "cheat sheet " while playing?
What is the minimum bet?

You CAN use a Basic Strategy chart when playing. I always do. It also helps to slow down play (by taking the chart out to triple-check your play), which in turn means you play fewer hands than the casino assumes (for comp purposes, the MGM Players Club (which services Mandalay Bay) assumes about 70 hands per hour and a house edge of 0.70%.... you are comp'd 40% of your expected loss, calculated with the assumed hands per hour and house edge).

Print out basic strategy charts and keep them with you.

As for Mandalay, I know they are one of three MGM properties (the others being the Monte Carlo and MGM Grand) where you can get fully liberal rules with the dealer standing on soft 17 for less than $25 per hand. During midweek and mornings, you SHOULD be able to find S17 tables with a minimum bet of $15, possibly $10. Be warned that on busy times the table limits will jump to $25 for S17.

On shoe games at all the MGM properties (except Excalibur and Circus Circus) you are allowed to split to four hands, including aces, and late surrender is offered. But always double-check with the dealer.

Table mins at MB are $10 and up. If you're staying for just a weekend, take 50 units (i.e. bets). Any more and I'd advise 80 to 100 units.

 

[Baberuth]

Mandalay Bay the best

Just got back. MB is the best MGM store. Aria second. Already got free room offers from MB and will use next trip.
If you can play 25 min. 2 deck, they were the best, including the Boyd stores, although the minimums there are 5.
Bring the cheat card and use it on all close calls. Some dealers will give the wrong info as will some pits, but it is good cover.
Rat hole greens and reds only.
Orleans is 5 min. and there are plenty of tables.
Peak time is tough every where in Vegas.

Go get 'em! Give us a trip report.

 

[Dyepaintball12]

I definitely disagree. All the M.G.M. properties have good games but MB when it comes to DD is worse than some of the other properties because they H17.

They definitely love giving comp offers though!

Just got back. MB is the best MGM store. Aria second. Already got free room offers from MB and will use next trip.
If you can play 25 min. 2 deck, they were the best, including the Boyd stores, although the minimums there are 5.
Bring the cheat card and use it on all close calls. Some dealers will give the wrong info as will some pits, but it is good cover.
Rat hole greens and reds only.
Orleans is 5 min. and there are plenty of tables.
Peak time is tough every where in Vegas.

Go get 'em! Give us a trip report.

 

[aslan]

I definitely disagree. All the M.G.M. properties have good games but MB when it comes to DD is worse than some of the other properties because they H17.

They definitely love giving comp offers though!

I played there all night last year and made little more than comps--$100 at one of their restaurants. They do have a 6-deck S17, or at least, they did, but the DD is really no better than break even unless you spread big, which you cannot get away with for long.

 

[21forme]

the DD is really no better than break even unless you spread big

Don't know why you say that. It's a good game as long as you play with a max of 2 or 3 other players at the table.

 

[aslan]

Don't know why you say that. It's a good game as long as you play with a max of 2 or 3 other players at the table.

On top of the rules being blah, the pen was not the greatest. I even had the table to myself or one other for extended periods of time. For the most part, it was an exercise in treading water. What got me playing for so long was (1) determination to beat the game, and (2) the sense that the house thought I would fall sooner or later. It was just fun and games, if you like that sort of thing. I did get a $100 comp for my efforts, and I did beat the DD game although for no more than the amount I previously lost at the 6-deck game as I recall.

 

[Dyepaintball12]

On top of the rules being blah, the pen was not the greatest. I even had the table to myself or one other for extended periods of time. For the most part, it was an exercise in treading water. What got me playing for so long was (1) determination to beat the game, and (2) the sense that the house thought I would fall sooner or later. It was just fun and games, if you like that sort of thing. I did get a $100 comp for my efforts, and I did beat the DD game although for no more than the amount I previously lost at the 6-deck game as I recall.

I actually didn't mean comps, I meant offers on-line and in the mail after you play. And the pen is great and set by notch.

 

[aslan]

I actually didn't mean comps, I meant offers on-line and in the mail after you play. And the pen is great and set by notch.

What do you consider great pen at DD?

 

[aslan]

I actually didn't mean comps, I meant offers on-line and in the mail after you play. And the pen is great and set by notch.

It was no better than 60 - 65 % when I played there last March I think it was. With H17 and a high standard deviation at 65%, you have to spread 4X to do more than see-saw and the long positive runs are few and far between. I got stuck early on in the 6-deck S17 game and had to disguise my play for great lengths in the DD game and wong out occasionally, but did well when I finally hit a long run. They must have known I was counting (I was there a long time), but I kept it so much under control that I never reached the threshold where they asked me to leave. I only let all the stops out when it looked like an early and long positive run.