The year’s Best of Las Vegas Poll, conducted by the Las Vegas Review-Journal, awarded the El Cortez Hotel and Casino the Reader’s Pick for Best Blackjack in 2009. It certainly comes as no surprise to fellow locals. The El Cortez has had some of the best gaming odds in the city since they opened their doors back in 1941.

The El Cortez has held true to the original version of Blackjack, also known as “21,” which is full pay at 3:2 odds. Most of the other Las Vegas casinos have already adopted the newer and safer for the house type of odds in Blackjack, which is 6:5. That is, you get $6 for a $5 bet rather than $7.50 for a $5 bet. I think I’ll stick with the original myself.

Most locals would agree, too, as proven by the voting that occurred for the Review-Journal’s poll this year. Plus, the El Cortez is still dealing single-deck Blackjack. Just another way that they give their players the best chance possible to gamble AND win!~LMM