There are two Arizona Charlie’s casinos in Las Vegas. One is on Decatur Blvd between US 95 and Charleston. The other is on Boulder Highway between Boulder Station and Sam’s Town. Both are owned by American Casino and Entertainment Properties. The same company owns Stratosphere just north of the Las Vegas Strip and Aquarius in Laughlin.
Both Arizona Charlie’s casinos have small hotels. The Decatur one has 258 hotel rooms. The one on Boulder Highway has 301 rooms. The casinos are more places that locals gamble than somewhere tourists stay for a vacation.
Arizona Charlie’s Tables and Games
There are three types of blackjack games at Arizona Charlie’s. All games hit soft 17. There is no high limit area at either Arizona Charlie’s location.
One is a six-deck Free Bet Blackjack game. This game gives players a free split on any pair that does not represent 10’s, as well as a free double down on 9, 10 and 11. The free double down even applies after splitting. In exchange for this, the dealer pushes any player still in the hand if 22 is made. The limits are $5 to $500. The house edge is 1.02%.
There is also a $5 to $500 double deck blackjack game. Players may double down on any two cards and after splitting. Aces may be re-split if an ace is drawn again. The house edge is 0.33%.
There is a six-deck shoe game. It is hand shuffled. The limits are $3 to $300. Players may double down on any two cards and after splitting. Re-split aces are also permitted. The house edge is 0.46%.
AcePlay for Frequent Blackjack Players
AcePlay is the players club used by both Arizona Charlie’s casinos, Stratosphere and Aquarius in Laughlin. Comps earned at one location must be redeemed at that location. The same goes for mailers.
The system is a bit old compared to the more modern Las Vegas players clubs. Blackjack players should ask for a comp from the pit boss at the table. The play does not really generate comps, but it does get players some mailers. There are no hosts at Arizona Charlie’s so always make sure to ask the pit for a comp when you are done playing.
What’s Different?
Arizona Charlie’s offers a rule in double deck that is nearly impossible to find these days. Players can re-split aces. The same rule also applies to its shoe game and Free Bet Blackjack. The $3 shoe blackjack minimum at the shoe game and $5 double deck with double after splitting and re-split aces are almost entirely unique to Arizona Charlie’s.
The Inside View
Arizona Charlie’s on Decatur and Boulder Highway are both grind joints. These are low end casinos that offer very low table limits. If you can tolerate the atmosphere, the games are as good as it gets in the Las Vegas locals market. The casinos are safe, but they are among the smokiest places you will find in Las Vegas. Even the poker room at Arizona Charlie’s Decatur still allows smoking. That is how bad it is. The poker room at Arizona Charlie’s is the last poker room in Las Vegas that still permits it.
The $5 double deck game gets dealt down to about 30 cards. The re-split aces rule on the double deck game is among the last places in Las Vegas that still offers it. M Resort is the only other group that still permits it. Neighboring Boulder Station just dumped this rule from its double deck and shoe games, leaving Arizona Charlie’s carrying the crown for the best blackjack game on Boulder Highway.
The shoe goes through 4.5 to 5 decks before a hand reshuffle. The $3 minimum bet with the great rules makes this the best low roller game in Las Vegas.