Main Street Station Blackjack Tables

The name of this property might lead one to believe it is part of the Station Casinos Group, but nothing could be further from the truth. Opened in 1977, the venue takes its name from its location at 200 Main Street, where the original Union Pacific Railroad Depot once stood. Since 1993, the gaming establishment has belonged to Station Casinos’ archrival Boyd Gaming, who completely remodeled its facilities in 1996. Today, the casino floor covers 27,798 square feet, featuring 19 table games, of which a dozen are devoted exclusively to blackjack.

Main Street Station Tables & Games

Two versions of blackjack are featured at Main Street Station: a $10~$1,000 double-deck game dealt by hand and a $5~$1,000 six-deck game dealt from a shoe. Both versions are played under the same rules. The dealer must hit on soft 17, there is no doubling down after splitting (DAS), re-splitting of Aces (RSA) is not allowed and neither is surrender. Owing to the difference in the number of decks in play, the double-deck game has a House edge of 0.60%, while the advantage is 0.78% for the six-deck game.

Some of the blackjack tables offer the familiar “Bet Set 21” side bet; they are easy to identify by the promotional placards and markings on the table surface. One table is available for Super Fun 21 at stakes of $5~$500, too. The tables to avoid are the ones with a single-deck game that pays only 6:5 for a natural blackjack. As if that rule were not reason enough to stay away, the game pays only 1:1 on any portion of a bet that is not in multiples of five and there is no opportunity to choose even money as an insurance bet when holding a natural blackjack facing the dealer’s Ace.

What’s Different

Main Street Station is frequently the recipient of special honors. Thousands of readers of Casino Player Magazine fill out ballots each year “to name their favorite gaming properties and vote on a wide variety of related categories.” Among the awards won by Main Street Station in 2013 that are relevant to blackjack players were 1^st place for “Casino Where You Feel Luckiest” and “Best Promotions” as well as 2^nd place for “Best Overall Gaming Resort” and 3^rd place for “Best Comps.” In total, the property won a dozen “podium” recognitions in 2013, up from just two in 2012.

B Connected for Frequent Blackjack Players

Because Main Street Station is part of the Boyd Gaming Group, it shares its “B Connected” player’s club with such sister properties as Sam’s Town, the Gold Coast, the Orleans and the California as well as Boyd casinos outside Nevada . The loyalty program offers three levels of membership, each with its “own unique set of rewards and benefits,” from Ruby to Sapphire and Emerald. Perks range from cash back, dining discounts and special pricing on merchandise to room upgrades, priority services, event invitations and more. Blackjack players earn points based on the average amount bet and time played. Ever player also receives an online account for tracking play and identifying new promotions.

The Inside View

Main Street Station has sought to retain the look and atmosphere of the Victorian era; its rooms and gaming hall are adorned with antiques, old photographs and curios. For example, chandeliers from the Figaro Opera House in Paris, France illuminate a part of the slot area and stained glass windows surround the casino floor. One of the oddest artifacts on display here, however, is an actual section of the Berlin Wall; it can be found inside the first floor men’s room, where it is used to mount the urinals. There is absolutely no truth to the rumor that the purpose of the Cold War remnant is to induce gentlemen to imbibe more of the casino’s award-winning $1.75 microbrews, but women report that the ladies’ room attendants are happy to receive tips for signaling when the men’s facilities are empty, so that it’s safe to view the wall without embarrassment.