Rocky Gap Casino Blackjack Rules

Rocky Gap Casino is located in Rocky Gap State Park, Maryland. So if you are wondering about the title, you read it right. It’s rare to see a casino in the center of what we would otherwise consider a “nearby attraction.”

Open our facebook page open our twitter page Open our instigram page Jump to contact page. Rocky Gap Casino Resort 16701 Lakeview Rd NE Flintstone MD 21530. Reservations 800.724.0828. Points and Rocky Gap Rewards Club membership are non-transferable. Rocky Gap Rewards Club cards are the property of Rocky Gap Casino Resort and must be returned upon request. Proper Rocky Gap Rewards Club card insertion prior to play is the player’s responsibility. Rocky Gap is not responsible for lost, stolen or misplaced cards.

Response from Wanda H, Guest Relations Manager at Rocky Gap Casino Resort. Responded 3 weeks ago. Thank you so much for the review and feedback. We strive to provide legendary guest service and we look forward to your next visit. W9307JFjenny wrote a review Sep 2020.

But the casino is in the attraction, so if you love the great outdoors combined with a Vegas-style gaming experience, you can’t go wrong when you venture about two minutes across the Pennsylvania border and into Rocky Gap State Park.

And if you are wondering, Rocky Gap Casino Resort is exactly as the name implies: A hot vacation destination that is far more than just your average casino. So if you are ready to take the ultimate vacation complete with scenery, golf, a spa, and more, don’t look further.

Let’s explore why this gem is one of Maryland’s best casinos.

Rocky Gap Casino Resort Overview

You could classify Rocky Gap Casino Resort as a mini-casino given the small number of slot machines and table games. You are looking at roughly 665 real money slots and video reels along with 17 tables. The hotel comprises 198 rooms and suites, and if you need it, outdoor entertainment.

You are also looking at four complete dining options, golf outings, spa services, and many nearby attractions that are just walking distance from the resort. Such attractions include a 243-acre lake, an amphitheater, and more.

Rocky Gap Casino Resort Gaming

Rocky Gap Casino Resort’s gaming options include a variety of slots and table games, along with lottery games. So if you are into playing the lottery, this is a great place to try your luck and perhaps even win the jackpot.

Your most popular slot machines include Wheel of Fortune, Dragon Link, Lightning Link, Wicked Wheel, and more of your favorite classic plus new, state-of-the-art options.

You will also find denominations that range from penny bets to $25 high-stakes rollers.

Oh, and it’s also worth mentioning the venue won the Best Slots of 2019 Award from Strictly Slots Magazine. So if you are a reader, you may already find yourself familiar with the gaming floor at Rocky Gap Casino Resort.

While you are only looking at a dozen and a half table games, you will find some of the most popular here at the casino. The most popular games on deck include Lucky Ladies Blackjack, Double Deck Pitch Blackjack, Roulette, Bonus Craps, Three Card Poker, Mississippi Stud, and Ultimate Texas Hold ‘em.

Are you an avid lottery player?

Step up and see if you can be the next big winner in the State of Maryland. Featured lottery games include Pick 3, Pick 4, Mega Millions, PowerBall, Scratch Offs, Keno, and Racetrax.

Rocky Gap Casino Resort Dining

Are you ready to dine and drink at Rocky Gap Casino Resort?

You are looking at four spectacular dining options that you will want to return to again and again throughout your stay at the resort.

You can place a guaranteed wager that you will have a great time every time you visit the Signature Bar & Grill. Here, you will find more than just magnificent views of the surrounding landscape, live entertainment from April to October, and premium sports viewing of those Pittsburgh Steelers and Baltimore Ravens.

Fresh food is always rocking and rolling at this venue, so immerse yourself in the fun atmosphere and catch breathtaking scenic views when you dine outside. Or if you want to watch the big game, take the food inside and cheer your favorite team on to victory.

Next up is LB’s Place, which the locals will tell you is Western Maryland’s best casual restaurant. And perhaps even the best if you count Southern Pennsylvania and Eastern West Virginia in that mix.

Order your favorite American classics like steaks, burgers, salad bowls, flatbreads, and more. Oh, and if you know the State of Maryland to any degree, it’s that they are famous for those crab cakes. So if you want the best crab cakes in the region, LB’s has what you are looking for.

Enjoy the rolling hills with outdoor dining in the spring and summer months. And don’t forget to pair your favorite food with one of the most carefully selected wine lists out there. Just a single experience here will tell you why the locals keep coming back for more at LB’s.

And if you still can’t keep away from the slots, don’t sweat. They have a video poker bar at the venue, so take your coffee, sandwich, and desserts over to try your luck at the reels. Given the blatant convenience, you may have just found your favorite dining venue at Rocky Gap Casino Resort.

Looking to shout “Here’s to the Good Times” as loud as you can? On the Rocks is the place to meet cool new people, locals, or to just gather with family and friends. And best yet, it is located right on the casino floor, so you don’t need to go far to raise your glass after a day of casino gaming or hiking on the trails.

Rocky Gap Casino Resort Promotions and Events

Rocky Gap Casino Resort’s Promotions are at their best when you join the One Card, All Access True Rewards Program. If you play at Golden Entertainment-owned locations often, and there are dozens of them out there, signing up for the program is a simple decision.

You are looking at the finest way to earn points for playing your favorite slot and table games before redeeming them at any Golden Entertainment property. So if you play at Rocky Gap Casino Resort but don’t redeem, you can always redeem them elsewhere.

Beneficial, right?

The more you play, the more points you earn for outstanding benefits and casino comps. So what are you waiting for? Sign up today and take advantage.

And don’t forget to take part in those dozens of promotions, whether they are seasonal, monthly, or ongoing. There are literally a dozen of epic promos going on here at Rocky Gap, so check out what’s happening and play accordingly.

The latest and greatest live entertainment at Rocky Gap Casino Resort features world-class acts you don’t want to miss out on. Whether it’s your favorite artists in music or comedy, brace yourself for shows you won’t want to miss.

The live entertainment is a fantastic way to wind down after a day of gaming at the casino. Or if you checked out the rest of the resort or the state park, end your day with the greatest acts in the entertainment industry.

Hotel Accommodations and Nearby Attractions

Are you looking to stay at Rocky Gap Casino Resort?

Look no further, because this venue boasts over 200 rooms and suites featuring contemporary decor and modern amenities.

Embrace your weekend getaway or weeklong escape from the rat race by taking advantage of the full-service spa and other fantastic perks you won’t find anywhere within the viewing area.

Head over to the 24-hour fitness center for an intense workout if the trails didn’t already put your body in complete fatigue mode. Hit the indoor swimming and whirlpool for much-needed relaxation and if you’re too tired to dine out, take advantage of your room service perk.

The above is just a handful of amenities you can expect during your stay at Rocky Gap Casino Resort.

Oh, and are you looking to explore the area?

As mentioned many times in this post, you have an entire state park to explore.

You’ve tried the rest of the golf courses around. Now try your hand at the best.

And explore Rocky Gap State Park after your game of golf. You will find the manmade Lake Habeeb, a 243-acre lake featuring white, sandy beaches to spend the entire day.

Rocky Gap Casino Blackjack Rules And Regulations

Rent some kayaks, canoes, and paddle boats to complete your experience, and if you are an avid fisher, you will love the variety of fish you can catch in this lake. They allow boats of all sorts on the lake 24 hours a day, so if you got one and wish to bring it along, feel free.

Hit the trails if you are looking for the ultimate cardio workout experience of your life. One of which will lead you to Evitts Mountain. So if you are up for a challenge, definitely hit the Evitts Homesite Trail.

Conclusion

If you are looking for a complete vacation destination that involves more than just a casino resort, Rocky Gap Casino Resort is your place. As you now know, it is more than just a casino resort; you have an entire state park at your disposal.

You really can’t beat what you will find here at the Pennsylvania—Maryland line, so if you live within a reasonable distance, Rocky Gap is a must-visit.

Have you visited Rocky Gap Casino Resort and did you explore the magnificent state park on which it sits?

Let us know in the comments.

Blackjack is supposed to be one of the easiest casino games to beat. After all, it features a low house edge in comparison to most games.

However, you still may find yourself struggling to book winning sessions on a consistent basis. Even when you are winning, your profits can drain out as you continue playing.

In these cases, it really helps to know why you have such a tough time beating blackjack. Below, I’ll discuss 5 reasons why the dealer keeps kicking your butt along with how you can change things around.

1 – The Dealer Acts Second

Some gamblers have adopted an extreme strategy that involves mimicking the dealer. Their thought process is that if the dealer wins most of the time, then they can at least match the croupier by playing by the same rules (I.e. hitting until a hard or soft 17).

The same gamblers are dead wrong on this strategy! Mimicking the dealer results in a massive 7% house edge. But why?

The croupier doesn’t win just because they play by a strict set of rules. In fact, being forced to hit until a soft/hard 17 actually lowers their chances of winning.

Instead, the dealer’s biggest advantage comes from acting after you. They deal the cards and wait for you to play your hand before doing anything else.

If you bust out, then you automatically lose. Meanwhile, the dealer beats you without ever having to make a decision.

The casino tries to soften the blow by giving you extra actions that the dealer doesn’t enjoy. You can split pairs and double down when rules permit.

These special privileges help when you’re trying to reduce the house edge. But they still don’t allow you to totally overcome the dealer’s advantage.

2 – Not Everybody Bothers With Blackjack Strategy

One of the most-entertaining parts about blackjack is that it features in-depth strategy. You can improve your chances of winning by knowing how to act in each situation.

Here’s an example of a tricky blackjack scenario:

• You hold a pair of 9s.
• The dealer’s upcard is 7.
• You split these 9s in most situations.
• However, basic strategy calls on you to stand in this specific instance.

There’s one right way to play the above situation and multiple wrong ways. You’ll run into these types of decisions again and again in blackjack.

You won’t automatically know how to deal with tricky situations. That said, a basic blackjack strategy chart can do wonders for your results.

These charts, which are extremely easy to find by the way, show the correct move for every situation. As long as you can read a color-coded chart, you can play perfect blackjack.

Nevertheless, many gamblers still don’t bother to take the two minutes it requires to find one of these charts online. They instead think that they’ve already mastered the game through experience alone.

Most gamblers can play reasonably well as long as they don’t try mimicking the dealer. But they’ll still surrender anywhere from 2% to 4% edge by ignoring strategy.

3 – Blackjack Games Move Fast

It seems like the casino already benefits quite a bit from the dealer acting second. But as I’ll discuss later, you can still lower the house edge to 0.5%–or even less in certain cases.

The problem, though, is that casinos can still beat you badly even if they only have a tiny advantage. Blackjack games are built to move fast so that the house can capitalize.

More action creates more entertainment when you’re gambling. However, it also leads to bigger losses over time.

You might still not feel like taking breaks and slowing the game down after reading this. After all, the point of blackjack is to have fun rather than trying to minimize your losses. But the fact remains that the casino wins more money, on average, when you’re exposed to more hands.

4 – The Rules Are in the Casino’s Favor

As I covered before, casinos give you special options that the dealer doesn’t have access to. Doubling down and splitting in the right situations give you a better chance at beating the dealer.

Even still, any competent casino will still ensure that they skew the rules in their favor. They tweak each rule to ensure that they at least hold a small advantage.

Of course, you can counteract this to some degree by looking for tables with the best rules. Even then, though, you’re not going to find any games that give you the edge.

Some casinos use tricky moves to fool you into thinking that your chances of winning are better. For example, they’ll offer single-deck tables with 6:5 natural blackjack payouts.

A single deck reduces the house edge by 0.59% when compared to the common 8-deck games. However, the 6:5 natural payouts boost the house advantage by 1.39% compared to 3:2 payoffs.

You know to look for this rule and avoid it in the future. But you’re still going to face other rules that increase the house edge.

Las Vegas Casino Blackjack Rules

5 – Casinos Boot Card Counters

Card counting is the most-popular way to gain an edge over the casino in any circumstance. In fact, blockbuster movies have been made about the subject.

However, casinos don’t just let you walk into their establishments and make easy money. They’re private businesses and they have the right to stop you if they think you’re counting.

You might feel that this is unfair when considering that the casino can take your money but is afraid to lose. But every gambling jurisdiction, except for Atlantic City, allows the house to boot counters.

It’s still possible for you to evade casino detection and make money. But you’ll find camouflaging your play to be much more difficult than simply learning card counting.

What Can You Do to Beat the Dealer in Blackjack?

You can see that you’re up against a lot when trying to win blackjack profits. Luckily, you can boost your chances of success by following the tips presented below.

Look for Games With Favorable Rules

Casinos have slowly added more and more rules that favor themselves. The house edge now pushes 2% in some gambling establishments—even when you use perfect playing strategy.

Fortunately, you don’t have to settle for these terrible games. You can still find fair real money blackjack tables both online and in land-based casinos.

The main thing you want to look at before placing a bet is the table felt. Specifically, you need to ensure that natural blackjacks pay 3:2 instead of 6:5. This is lone rule improves your chances of winning by 1.39%.

You can also look for one or more of the following rules that reduce the house edge:

• Single-deck 8-deck blackjack – Lowers house edge by 0.59%
• Double down on any total vs. doubling on 9 through 11 – Lowers house advantage by 0.25%.
• Dealer stands on soft 17 vs. hitting – Lowers house edge 0.2%.
• Double down after splitting (DAS) – Lower the house edge or advantage by 0.17%.
• Re-splitting aces – This reduces the house advantage by 0.08%.
• Late surrender – This lowers house advantage by 0.07%.

Learn Blackjack Strategy

It never ceases to amaze me how many blackjack players refuse to learn strategy. The same gamblers are basically throwing money away by not putting their pride aside.

You merely need to find a strategy chart through Google to get started. You can probably complete the search within 15 seconds.

Land-based casinos don’t want you slowing down the action by referring to your chart on every single hand. But if you’ve already practiced online first, you won’t have to look at the chart so often.

Try Card Counting

Earlier, I discussed how the main challenge associated with card counting is getting away with it. Casinos almost everywhere have the legal right to throw you out for counting.

But you should still consider this advantage gambling method if you’re truly serious about blackjack. You can use card counting to gain an edge over the house ranging from 0.5% to 1.5%.

You might be surprised to know that learning how to count cards isn’t that difficult.

Conclusion

The dealer’s biggest advantage is that they get to act second. Assuming you bust out, then they automatically win before even flipping over their hole card.

The croupier also benefits from the lack of common blackjack strategy knowledge and rules skewed in the house’s favor. If they deal at a fast speed on top of this, then you’ll really have some trouble winning.

Rules For Blackjack

Nevertheless, you can still improve your odds by learning strategy and seeking favorable rules. You might even try your hand at card counting to see if this helps too.