Vegas strip blackjack is a type of blackjack game that is a bit friendlier to the player than the original variation of blackjack is. In most normal blackjack games, the dealer is required to hit a soft seventeen. However, in Vegas Strip Blackjack, the dealer must stand on seventeen, regardless of whether it is soft or hard. With the dealer being required to stand on a soft seventeen in Vegas Strip Blackjack, the house edge shifts by .22% in favor of the player when compared to standard blackjack.
When playing Vegas Strip Blackjack, the game is typically played with six decks of cards. Additionally, when a player hits blackjack in Vegas Strip Blackjack, he is paid out at a three to two rate. If the dealer shows an ace as his up card in Vegas Strip Blackjack, the players are each offered insurance, which pays out at a two to one rate if the dealer has blackjack. In the event the dealer holds a ten as his up card, he will peak at his down card, but insurance will not be offered. The fact that the dealer peaks when he has a ten as an up card in Vegas Strip Blackjack gives a slight edge to the player, as peaking prevents the players from splitting pairs or doubling down, because when a dealer has blackjack, the hand immediately terminates.
When playing Vegas Strip Blackjack, you should employ the optimal blackjack strategy that you would normally play in a regular blackjack game. Just as is the case in standard blackjack, when a player is dealt a pair, the hand may be split. Players should follow the optimal strategy guidelines for splitting paired hands. Likewise, players may double down in Vegas Strip Blackjack. Additionally, players may double down after they have split their hands in Vegas Strip Blackjack, providing the split hand was not aces.
When the player wins a hand of Vegas Strip Blackjack, the winning player is paid even money on their bet. A player wins a hand of Vegas Strip Blackjack if their hand is higher than that of the dealers, without exceeding twenty-one. Insurance pays out two to one in Vegas Strip Blackjack. In order to purchase insurance, a player must put up the same amount as their original bet. When the dealer and the player tie (except when the dealer has blackjack), the original bet is returned to the player.