Pennsylvania gaming policy requires minimum rules for blackjack games dealt in the state. For six and eight-deck games, which is all that we found in the state, games must pay 3:2, stand on soft 17, offer surrender, and allow double down before or after splitting. Re-splits, including aces, are up by individual house rules.
Most Pennsylvania casinos will only permit players to split pairs into three hands, except aces, which may only be split one time. Some Pennsylvania casinos are a little looser on the split rules. Assume that pairs may only be re-split one time, except aces, unless otherwise noted.
In May 2021, we visited fourteen Pennsylvania casinos. The list below shows what we found in terms of minimum bets and rules, just as we do in our Las Vegas Blackjack Survey. We also have blackjack surveys for nearby Atlantic City, Maryland, and West Virginia casinos.
We found three different blackjack variants in Pennsylvania. Spanish 21 is popular throughout the state. We found Down Under Blackjack at Mohegan Pennsylvania and Parx Casino, and Free Bet Blackjack at Wind Creek.
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Pennsylvania blackjack games by casino
Note that the minimum bet we show below is what we think it will be during most hours of the day. The level of business may make the minimum bet go up if it is busy and down if it is slow.
This section only covers blackjack. Our Pennsylvania Table Games Survey lists the other pit games.
Harrah’s Philadelphia
There are three types of blackjack dealt at Harrah’s Philadelphia. Six and eight-deck games have standard rules on the floor and start at $15. There is also $15 Spanish 21. High limit blackjack uses six decks and starts at $100.
Hollywood Casino at Meadows
There is one blackjack game dealt at Hollywood Casino at The Meadows. It starts at $10, uses six decks, and has the standard state rules. Pairs may only be re-split one time, except aces, which may not be re-split. There are high limit tables with the same rules.
Hollywood Casino at Penn National
Eight-deck blackjack and Spanish 21 are dealt at Hollywood Casino at Penn National. The traditional games offer the minimum state rules. Both start at $10 or $15.
Hollywood Casino: Morgantown and York
Hollywood Casino York and Hollywood Casino Morgantown both opened after our Pennsylvania casino road trip. Eight-deck blackjack is dealt. We feel that it is safe to assume that its blackjack limits and rules mirror the Penn National location described above.
Lady Luck Nemacolin
There is one type of blackjack game at Lady Luck. It uses six decks and the standard state rules. The minimum bet is usually $10 or $15.
Live! Casino Philadelphia
Three blackjack games are dealt at Live! Casino Philadelphia. The eight-deck and Spanish 21 games start at $15. Six decks are dealt in the high limit salon for $100. Standard state rules are used.
Live! Casino Pittsburgh
Live! Casino Pittsburgh has three different types of blackjack games. The game on the floor uses eight decks and starts at $10. The high limit version has a $100 minimum bet when it is open. It uses six decks. Spanish 21 is offered with a $10 minimum bet. The state rules apply to all games.
Mohegan Pennsylvania
Six-deck blackjack, Down Under Blackjack, and Spanish 21 are dealt at Mohegan Pennsylvania (Mohegan Sun Pocono). All start at $15. Standard state rules are used.
Mount Airy
There are three types of blackjack games at Mount Airy Casino. For $10 or $15, players may choose between Spanish 21 and eight-deck blackjack. For $50 or $100, there is a six-deck blackjack game in the high limit room. Blackjack pays 3:2 and the dealer stands on soft 17 at all tables. Surrender is available in the standard games. Pairs may be split up to four hands, except aces, which may only be split one time.
Parx Bensalem
Parx Bensalem has three blackjack options. All start at $10 or $15. There is six-deck, eight-deck Spanish 21. The standard state blackjack rules are used.
Presque Isle
There are two types of blackjack games at Presque Isle. Both have the standard state rules. Blackjack on the floor is typically $10 or $15. It uses eight decks. A six-deck game is available in the high limit room during peak hours.
Rivers Philadelphia
Rivers Philadelphia deals three blackjack games. The eight-deck games are traditional and Spanish 21. Both start at $15. You can get a six-deck game for $100 in the high limit salon. All Rivers blackjack games use the standard state rules.
Rivers Pittsburgh
Rivers Pittsburgh has the same rules as the Philadelphia one. Spanish 21 and eight-deck blackjack start at $15. A six-deck game is in the high limit salon for $100.
Valley Forge Resort
Valley Forge Resort offers a typical Pennsylvania variety of blackjack. Spanish 21 and eight-deck blackjack start at $15. Six-deck blackjack is $100 in high limit. A rule disclosure at Spanish 21 notes that players may not hit split aces. All pairs may only be split into three hands at traditional tables. This includes aces.
Blackjack pays 3:2 at all Valley Forge blackjack tables. The dealer stands on all 17’s. Surrender is available.
Wind Creek Bethlehem
Wind Creek offers four blackjack options. There is eight-deck blackjack, Spanish 21, and Free Bet Blackjack on the casino floor. These games all start at $25. There is a six-deck game in the high limit salon that has a $100 minimum bet. Aces may be re-split one time in the standard games. All blackjack tables pay 3:2, stand on soft, and surrender.