Caesars Entertainment and MGM Resorts each operate about one-third of Las Vegas Strip casinos, including everything from Caesars Palace and Harrah’s to the south end. Both companies offer unique games and amenities. Here are how the casinos that operate under each company compare for blackjack and table games, video poker, and players clubs.
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Blackjack rules and limits
Blackjack is the most popular table game. There are several major differences between Caesars Entertainment and MGM Resorts blackjack rules and limits.
Most MGM Resorts casinos deal a $25 3/2 blackjack game at some point during the week. The exceptions are Luxor, where it is only available in the high-limit room, and Aria and Bellagio, where it is usually $50 but may be $25 during the slowest hours.
Only one Caesars casino regularly deals $25 3/2 blackjack. It is offered on a table or two near the salon at Planet Hollywood. All other Caesars casinos require $50 for a 3/2 game, though you may find one for $25 during the slowest hours at Caesars Palace.
All MGM six-deck blackjack tables permit surrender and re-split aces. Most Caesars casinos don’t permit aces to be split more than once. The exceptions are the high-limit games at Caesars Palace, Horseshoe, Paris, and Planet Hollywood.
Most MGM salons have double-deck blackjack that stands on soft 17. No Caesars casinos have this game. All Caesars double-deck games hit soft 17. Most don’t even permit double down after splitting. Caesars Palace is the exception.
The only category where Caesars beats MGM is at the $50 limit. Flamingo and Harrah’s deal stand on soft 17 six-deck games at that limit. Flamingo and Harrah’s have the only 3/2 Free Bet Blackjack tables on the Strip. These hit soft 17 and are available in the high-limit table room.
Blackjack Advantage: MGM Resorts
Craps and crapless craps
All Caesars and MGM casinos offer 3-4-5 times maximum odds at traditional craps tables. MGM wins this category because the Field pays triple on 12 at all its casinos. Caesars Palace is the only Caesars casino that pays triple on a field 12.
For crapless craps, MGM sticks with 3-4-5 times. Caesars is 1-2-3-4-5 times, meaning the 2 and 12 are only single odds and the 3 and 11 are double.
Craps Advantage: MGM Resorts
Roulette tables
MGM Resorts blows away Caesars in the roulette category. Both groups deal double and triple zero roulette at every Las Vegas casino. The single zero tables are where the main difference is found.
Aria, Bellagio, Cosmopolitan, Mandalay Bay, MGM Grand, and Park MGM all deal single zero roulette. Bellagio and MGM Grand each have a table in the pits where the minimum bet can be as low as $25 or $50. The other MGM casinos start at $100. All these games are European Roulette. This means the la partage rule is in effect. Players receive half of even money bets when the pill lands on zero.
Caesars Palace is the only Caesars casino with single zero roulette. It does not have la partage. The minimum bet is often $100 or $200. Caesars Palace is the only Las Vegas casino with video triple zero roulette.
Roulette Advantage: MGM Resorts
$5 table games
MGM does not have any $5 live table games. Most Caesars casinos have a $5 table at slow hours. This includes Cromwell, Flamingo, Harrah’s, Horseshoe, Linq, and O’Sheas. You may even find a $5 table at Planet Hollywood early in the morning. These tables are poker games that require raises, like 3 Shot Poker, Crazy 4 Poker, DJ Wild, Let It Ride, Mississippi Stud, and Three Card Poker. Ultimate Texas Hold’em occasionally falls into this category.
$5 Table Game Advantage: Caesars
Video poker
Caesars Palace offers the best high limit video poker game in Las Vegas. That is 9/7 Triple Double Bonus. It also has 9/6 Jacks or Better. Triple Double Bonus is available in $25, $50, and $100 denominations. Jacks or Better starts at $5. That is where the good video poker ends at Caesars.
Most MGM Resorts Casinos have at least 8/5 Bonus Poker and/or 9/7 Double Bonus Poker at $5 and higher denominations. Cosmopolitan and MGM Grand have 9/6 Jacks or Better in the high limit slots room.
Video Poker Advantage: It depends
Players clubs
Several years ago, Caesars Rewards would have won this in a landslide. However, that program has deteriorated in recent years. Las Vegas Laurel Lounges are lost, and the Diamond Plus drinks were taken away from some players without notice in the middle of the year. Players complain about the level of offers available based on play compared to previous years.
MGM Rewards is not great. However, it has not repeatedly changed the rules after making promises about perks to players. It appears to offer the average player about the same level of perks. Individual offers vary greatly based on play between the two companies, so the players clubs tie.
Players Club Advantage: Tie
