On February 7, 2024, we visited eight casinos on the south end of the Las Vegas Strip. This included Tropicana. This is our last survey for that property. It closes on April 2, 2024.
While the Super Bowl is this weekend, the Strip was quiet. The crowds had not yet arrived.
Unlike last month when machines were missing from four casinos, only one Shoot to Win craps machine was unavailable on this walkthrough. At MGM Grand the machine was out of order. It was also offline during our October visit.
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Tropicana
Tropicana was its usual dead self. The pit only had a couple of players. The craps table was open but idle. Half the table was closed as there was only a dealer on one side. Most open games in the pit had $10 minimum bets, including craps, double zero roulette, Heads Up Hold’em, and 6/5 blackjack. The 3/2 double-deck blackjack table was $25.
Near the table game pit, electronic table games still had $3 minimums. Options include 6:5 blackjack, craps, and 00 roulette.
MGM Grand
MGM Grand had lower minimum bets at many tables. Ultimate Texas Hold’em started at $10. It’s been over a year since we saw a table game there that low. The 3/2 blackjack tables on the floor were $25. These are often $50. The other games were either $15 or $25.
In the salon, the six-deck blackjack game was $100 when it is often $300. The double-deck game was $300 when it is usually $500.
MGM Grand has a large selection of electronic table games. This includes two interconnected stadiums, heads-up games, and some multiplayer options. Games have $3 or $5 minimums. However, the Bally upright 00 roulette machines can be played for a $1, $2, or $5 minimum. These machines are near the poker room.
The stadium craps no longer pays triple on a field 12. It now pays double like the other electronic craps games.
Park MGM
Park MGM always has lower limits than expected for a Strip hotel in this tier. The 6/5 blackjack and Free Bet, as well as 000 roulette, started at $10. The poker pit games were $15, except pai gow poker, which was $25. Craps and crapless craps were $15. The 3/2 blackjack is still $25.
The salon deals 3/2 double-deck and six-deck blackjack that stands on soft 17. There is also baccarat and European Roulette there. The minimum for these games is $100.
At Park MGM, electronic table game options include heads-up and multiplayer games. Multiplayer blackjack now has the larger Interblock side bet menu including KK, QQ, JJ, 7s, A-2, Match, Pair, Poker 3, and 19+. The game minimum is now $3, down from $5. Dual Wheel 00 roulette also has a $3 minimum while all other options are $5.
Aria
The minimum bets at Aria began at $25. This included all poker pit games, double and triple zero roulette, 6/5 blackjack, no commission baccarat, and all dice tables. All high limit tables were $100, including stand on soft 17 two and six-deck blackjack.
Aria has a large selection of electronic table games. This includes a stadium, heads-up games, and multiplayer machines. Most games have a $5 minimum. The exceptions are Big Six for $3, Baccarat for $10, and a Bally 00 roulette upright that short pays on a straight and split bet. It has $1, $2, and $5 minimums.
The Lucky Shooter side bet is no longer available on the heads-up craps game. However, it is still offered on the stadium version. The multiplayer craps machine that was being installed during our October visit, was already off the casino floor.
New York-New York
New York-New York continues to be a value casino. Poker pit games start at $10, except pai gow, which is usually $25. The 6/5 blackjack tables are also $10. Triple zero roulette and 6/5 Free Bet Blackjack are usually $15. Double zero roulette is a consistent $20. The 3/2 blackjack on the floor starts at $25. Baccarat is no longer dealt at New York-New York.
Electronic table game options include a stadium, two heads-up games, and four multiplayer machines. Stadium games have a $3 or $10 minimum. All other ETGs are $5.
Excalibur
The construction is finished at Excalibur. The moving sidewalk at the entrance even worked.
There is now a new center bar with the typical MGM video poker, which is in the 96 to 97 percent range. The pit now surrounds the center bar.
The 6/5 blackjack and poker pit games like Three Card Poker start at $10 and go up to $15 when busy. Dice tables, roulette, and 6/5 Free Bet Blackjack start at $15. Pai gow poker and 3/2 blackjack are usually $25.
Excalibur offers a couple of heads-up games, some multiplayer machines, and a stadium. The Lucky Shooter side bet is no longer available on the heads-up game but is still offered on the stadium. Games have $3 or $5 minimums. Note that the multiplayer blackjack game pays even money on blackjack. Also, the progressive side bet is no longer available.
Luxor
The moving sidewalks between Luxor and Excalibur are now operational and the escalators from the casino floor to Mandalay Bay reopened since our last visit.
The 6/5 blackjack, 000 roulette tables, and Three Card Poker start at $10. At $15, craps, crapless craps, 6/5 Free Bet Blackjack, and Ultimate Texas Hold’em are available. Double zero roulette is $20. There is no 3/2 blackjack or baccarat at Luxor unless the salon is open, which seems to be only during the busiest hours.
There were a few electronic table game changes. Golden Ball roulette is now offered as a heads-up game. The multiplayer machine is missing from the casino floor. Also, a new roulette side bet, Lucky Ball, is offered on a bank of heads-up machines. Most ETGs have a $3 or $5 minimum. The Bally 00 roulette uprights offer increments of $0.25, $0.50 and $1.
Mandalay Bay
Our last stop was Mandalay Bay. The cheapest table games were 6/5 blackjack and triple zero roulette. Both were $15. Double zero roulette was $20. Craps, crapless craps, I Luv Suits, Three Card Poker, Ultimate Texas Hold’em, and 3/2 blackjack were $25. Pai gow poker is now $50.
There are four games in the high limit room. Each starts at $100. The options are baccarat, European Roulette, double-deck blackjack, and six-deck blackjack. All salon blackjack stands on soft 17.
Like Luxor, Mandalay Bay traded multiplayer Golden Ball 00 roulette for a heads-up version. It also offers heads-up Lucky Ball 00 roulette.
Electronic table game options include a stadium, heads-up machines, and multiplayer games. Most games start at $3 or $5, except for Big Six. It has a $1 minimum on the stadium.
