I just read in Anthony Curtis' Las Vegas Advisor (Sept., 2005) that for the fiscal year ended June, 2005, for the state of Nevada, the "blackjack win was down 3.6%". This is in spite of the fact that all other category wins were up. I found this somewhat disturbing although not suprising. Casinos around the country (not just Nevada) have been replacing BJ tables with slot machines and what I call "odd ball games" - 3 card poker, let it ride, etc.. At the same time, they have been stiffining the BJ rules (and using automatic and continuous shuffling machines) to the point where many players simply stopped playing or are having problems finding decent games. The casinos are gradually killing one of their most profitable games. They'll probable blame it on "lack of interest". I hope the planned TV programs on BJ tournaments reverse this trend. We need more tables with better rules, not less tables with bad rules. I guess the casinos just don't get it. All things considered, I'm afraid blackjack is in for a rough ride ahead. :sad:
