Visitreno

[mycran]

What kind of BJ do they have the Cal Neva? Didn't play any there on our last trip. I have only played 6 deck, double anything, hit s17, no surrender. cards dealt face up. Never played where you touch the cards before. Also does anyone know of any Spanish 21 tables in town? Thanks Wynn

[BC Dave]

I haven't too much experience with BJ at any particular Reno casino. My friends who do, like the Cal Neva for their $3 tables and used to like the old Siena. They also say some of the best rules were out at the Western Village in Sparks. Stan has made some comments on BJ at the Cal Neva in his trip reports.

I may have seen Spanish 21 at the Silver Legacy but can't be sure.

[stan_allen]

Ah, you are in for the best that Reno has to offer. Cal-Neva is THE spot to play Blackjack, in my humble opinion, because it's the only place that consistently has three-dollar minimum tables.

There are a total of three places in Cal Neva to play Blackjack; one in building one, one in building two, and one on the upper level. That last one hardly ever seems to be in operation when I'm there; maybe it's open on the weekends?

In any case, building two usually seems to have more space, and more availability for those three-dollar minimums. In addition, there's usually a choice of either shoe or single- or double- deck, though I feel as though the shoe games tend to be five-dollar minimums, but that may be a false impression.

Rules are also fairly generous, though not totally ideal: re-splitting is usually either restricted or not allowed, splitting aces is a once-only deal, and doubling may be restricted to 9,10, or 11 - but even these details get a little hazy, so don't quote me, but that's generally what I've found - keep in mind that I'm usually there on Monday and Tuesday nights, so things could be quite different on a Friday or Saturday, though the most recent time I actually was there on a Saturday - a couple of years back - I noticed that even then, three-dollar tables were open for business at Cal-Neva.

You will indeed see a couple of "Super Single Deck" tables, which you should stay away from, and those tend to be bundled into the building one cluster, which is another reason to skip directly to building two.

Dealers always check hole cards on tens or aces, for those of you who give a damn about such distinctions.

This isn't a "touch-free" game like some of those in Vegas; you are actually allowed to hold your cards, and you scratch them on the table to indicate a hit, but turn 'em all up for doubles, splits, and busts. Slide cards under your chips to stand. Use only one hand to touch the cards; your other hand should be nursing your drinks, anyway. For those of you who don't drink, fondle your chips.

What else is there to say? That's all I can think of; enjoy the very best Blackjack in Reno!

[mycran]

Thanks for replies BC and Stan. Is building number one on Virginia and 2nd street ,the western one? Or do I have them backwards? Do you recall if naturals pay 3:2 or 6:5?

[stan_allen]

"Building One", as I call it, is the one whose facade faces Virginia street, where there's an all-way pedestrian light cycle.

If, instead of going inside, you walk along the Cal-Neva on second street, you'll see the little alleyway on your right separating Buildings one and two.

My advice is to go in the main entrance that faces Virginia, as described above, so you can at least see the first round of tables. Then start walking towards the back, go out the doors, cross the alley, go in the other doors, and enjoy the superior tables.

And the "Super Single Deck" tables I cautioned about are the ones that pay only 6:5 for a natural, and so you should avoid them. I don't recall ever seeing one of those in building two, which is another reason I prefer that area.

The "Super Single Deck" tables are marked as such by little placards, and the "Rules" also confirms it. Don't burn your bankroll at those!

Have fun!

[JD]

For anyone that'll be there Oct 12:

Cal Neva Free Bingo tournament

http://hosted.verticalresponse.com/922781/c1b202330c/1669523045/7d7772ea28/

"This Saturday starting at 10 a.m.
Just bring a copy of this email to the Best Bet Club by 9:00 a.m. on Saturday, October 12, 2013 for your free entry."