Has the king of all gambling cities lost it’s title when it comes to blackjack? There’s buzz going around here and there about how you “can’t get a good game in Las Vegas anymore.” At first thought, one would find that hard to believe, but if minimum bet plays into the equation, it’s a claim at least worth investigating.

So what’s the problem? The dealer hits on soft 17 in almost every casino, the cries echo. True? Not quite. Many, if not most, MGM-owned casinos with a minimum bet of at least $25 (if you’re really worried about finding a good game, you should be able to afford a $25 table) have a stand on soft 17 rule.

But the complaints don’t stop there. “Every online blackjack casino is 60% penetration if it’s a shoe game.” And it’s these type of blanket statements that are worse than assumptions. This isn’t true. In fact, any player at the $25 level will find a fairly regular 75% penetration on a standard 6-deck shoe. Besides, it’s not like Atlantic City is any better. And if you’re in the United States looking for a game, where else are you really gonna go? I suppose you could try your luck up in Reno.

The whining goes on, we’ll cap it there, but here are a few other topics that pop up that can make or break whether a game is “good” for some players.

Can you double split? This rule certainly changes the odds in favor of the player if you’re allowed to do so.

3:2 on blackjack? You’d think this would be a standard, hell a staple, at all casinos, but depending on a few factors (number of decks for one), you can end up with a 1:1 payoff on blackjack. This cripples the advantage for the player, and is an understandable reason for moving on.

I know for many, the price point itself is a determining factor. $25 IS too high for many, and they rightfully demand the same payoffs for a lower minimum bet. Some players, mostly casual, want a $10 table. They can be found in Vegas still (don’t bother looking for $5 on the strip anymore, at least at night), but you’ll probably have to hike it on down to Fremont street.

I’ll finish by passing along a friendly piece of advice to anymore in this situation. Word is Borgata in Atlantic City is one of the few places to hit every option we just went through. If you’re in the area, give it a try.