Best Casinos for New York City Blackjack
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For many years, New York City didn’t have legal blackjack games. NYC residents either had to travel 2+ hours to Atlantic City or resort to underground gambling establishments.
Much has changed within the last decade, though. New Yorkers now have access to local blackjack games, along with those in Atlantic City.
Assuming you live in or around the Big Apple, or if you plan on visiting, you might be interested in enjoying blackjack and other casino games. The following guide covers where to find blackjack action in the city and surrounding areas.
Empire City Casino at Yonkers Raceway
Opened as the Empire City Race Track in 1899, this casino complex boasts plenty of history. It’s located on Yonkers Avenue and is about 15 miles north of Times Square. It’s also the closest New York casino to the Manhattan area.
This racetrack began transitioning to a racino after adding slot machines in 2006. It has continued added more slots and casino games over the years.
Empire City Casino features electronic blackjack rather than the traditional table version. Their electronic blackjack game has both a main terminal and individual terminals.
The main terminal shows the dealer and their hand. Individual terminals, which are what you’d use, show players’ hands and betting options. Minimum bets are $10 per hand.
The good news is that you can look forward to favorable rules with these machines, such as 3:2 natural blackjack payouts. The downside, though, is that you’ll be playing through a machine.
Empire City is currently in the process of obtaining a traditional casino license. They’re slated to receive approval by 2023.
However, MGM Resorts, which owns the casino, is pushing for a traditional gaming license by 2021. Until then, you can enjoy electronic blackjack along with roulette, Three-Card Poker, keno, and slots here.
Resorts World Casino NYC
Opened in 2011, Resorts World Casino is located on Rockaway Boulevard in Jamaica, Queens, New York. It’s just north of the JFK Airport and next to the Aqueduct Racetrack.
Much like Empire City, Resorts World New York only features electronic gaming. However, it provides more blackjack terminals and lower minimum bets.
You only have to wager $5 to play electronic blackjack at Resorts World Casino. You’ll still enjoy 3:2 natural payouts and other fair rules.
This Genting-owned casino also offers plenty other types of electronic table games. Baccarat, Big Six Wheel, craps, roulette, Three-Card Poker, and Ultimate Texas Hold’em are all available here.
Resorts World offers a nice loyalty program too. If you ascend to the Black or Platinum levels, you’ll gain access to exclusive gaming rooms, such as the Baccarat Club or Fifth Avenue Club.
Resorts World Catskills
The first two casinos on this list are actually in NYC. Unfortunately, you’ll need to drive for more blackjack options.
Resorts World Catskills is the nearest option that offers traditional blackjack tables. I use the word “nearest” lightly here, though, because this casino is two hours away from the Big Apple. It’s only about 15 minutes closer than Atlantic City.
If you’re willing to drive the 90 miles to Monticello, you can sit at a real blackjack table—not just an electronic terminal. You’ll also enjoy a scenic drive on the way up.
This gaming establishment isn’t one for the low rollers, though. It requires anywhere between a $15 and $25 minimum blackjack bet. The higher end is required during the evenings and weekends.
With that said, you’ll have both travel time and more money wrapped up in these games. Again, though, Resorts World Catskills offers the closest live blackjack tables to New York City.
Golden Nugget Atlantic City
Thanks to Empire City and Resorts World NYC, you no longer need to venture far from the city to play legal blackjack. Beyond Resorts World Catskills, Atlantic City is the only casino gaming destination within around two hours of NYC.
It’s more like two hours and 10 minutes from city limits. If you’re up for the drive, then you’ll enjoy the best blackjack games in the tri-state area.
Golden Nugget Atlantic City Hotel, Casino, and Marina is the best of the best regarding the house edge. In fact, it offers some of the world’s top blackjack games.
This casino pays 3:2 for natural blackjacks, makes the dealer stand on a soft 17, and allows late surrender. Not many casinos offer late surrender, which lowers the house edge by an additional 0.08%.
The one drawback to Golden Nugget’s tables is that they feature six decks. Even with this being the case, though, their blackjack games only carry a 0.34% house edge.
You will, however, need to ante up $50 per hand to play at these tables. Assuming you’re up for some high-stakes action with the best odds around, then Golden Nugget is worth consideration.
Bally’s Atlantic City Hotel and Casino
Bally’s is another option for quality blackjack in Atlantic City. It features almost as low of a house edge as Golden Nugget at 0.42%.
Its house advantage is a shade higher due to the fact that it doesn’t allow late surrender. However, all of the other rules are the same.
The kicker is that you can play this game for half the price. Bally’s requires a $25 minimum bet per hand. Although not cheap, $25 isn’t bad when considering the 0.42% house advantage.
Furthermore, most other AC casinos charge around $25 a hand anyways. They also feature a 0.68% house edge on average, which is noticeably higher than what Bally’s offers.
Tips for Playing Blackjack in the New York City Area
New York offers a diverse range of blackjack tables when considering the format (live or electronic), stakes, and house edge. With that said, you should make preparations beforehand prior to visiting area casinos.
Prepare Your Bankroll
The minimum stakes in this city aren’t cheap. The lowest you can hope for is the $5 minimum at Resorts World NYC.
Casinos in less-crowded metropolitan areas only charge $1 to $3 per electronic hand. If you visit, you’ll be wagering $10 on each electronic hand or higher. Some casinos only require this amount for live play. Other options, including Resorts World Catskills and various Atlantic City casinos, make you bet between $25 and $50 per hand.
Anywhere you slice it, you should have a decent-sized bankroll before entering area casinos. This way, you’ll last on the tables and enjoy yourself longer.
Sign Up for Rewards
New York City casinos don’t shower you with rewards just for walking through the door. Instead, you need to sign up for the loyalty program first.
You’ll receive a players club card afterward that qualifies you for rewards. When playing electronic blackjack, you can insert this card into a machine and rack up comps.
When playing live blackjack, you’ll need to hand the card to the dealer. The dealer will give your player’s club card to the pit boss, who rates your play.
You’ll then receive an amount of rewards equivalent to your action. Assuming you’re betting $25 per hand instead of $15, for example, then you’re going to receive more comps.
You May Need to Settle for Electronic Blackjack
New York City doesn’t currently offer any live blackjack games. Empire City Casino is working to change this, but they may not be successful for a few years.
The electronic version doesn’t have quite the same feeling as sitting at a real table. Instead, it’s all based on terminals. The upside is that you still get to enjoy the land-based casino atmosphere. Furthermore, you’ll receive free drinks when playing long enough.
However, you’ll need to travel outside of NYC to play the live version. Resorts World Catskills and Atlantic City—both around two hours away—are the closest options.
Consider Online Blackjack
When visiting or living in New York, you don’t necessarily need to visit a brick and mortar casino at all. Instead, you can access many online blackjack sites from the Empire State.
Online blackjack is perfect for when you don’t want to wager $5 or more per hand. This version only requires $1 minimum bets. It also prevents you from needing to pay for an Uber, or drive yourself, just to reach a local casino.
Many mobile blackjack games are also comparable to tables at the Golden Nugget and Bally’s regarding house edge. The average online blackjack game features between a 0.6% and 0.4% house advantage.
Conclusion
New York City isn’t anything like Las Vegas when it comes to blackjack. Thanks to some new casinos, though, it does provide options.
Empire City and Resorts World NYC are the two nearest gambling establishments. Both offer electronic blackjack and are easily accessible by city residents and visitors.
Resorts World Catskills is a good choice if you’re looking for live blackjack and nice scenery. It also features a high-quality resort.
Atlantic City, which isn’t much further from NYC than the Catskills casino, has some of the world’s best blackjack action. Bally’s and the Golden Nugget are especially worthwhile.
Of course, you can always stay home and play online blackjack, too. It provides the lowest stakes and a fair house edge.
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