Sexy Blackjack
May 12, 2009
This is one party pit you simply cannot blame me for playing.
While I was hanging out Downtown this weekend, I noticed the following sign:
Gold Spike $3 Sexy Blackjack
Gold Spike $3 Sexy Blackjack
Naturally, I was intrigued.
How could I not be? It was called “$3 Sexy Blackjack”.
I have been playing table games every now and then at the Gold Spike since the new Grand Opening, but this is the first time I have been there since the new “sexy” moniker.
Does it live up to its name?
In my opinion, yes … but to be honest, it hasn’t really changed from a month ago.
They simply came up with a new marketing name for the product. They wanted to get in on the “party pit” trend, and “Sexy Blackjack” sounds pretty cool. Cheesy and silly like Las Vegas itself, but cool nonetheless.
The dealers are attractive, casual, chatty, and very friendly. Imagine hiring the hot coed that lives next door to come over and deal cards to you and 4 of your buddies. This is very much what the Spike feels like these days.
$3 Sexy Blackjack Dealer
$3 Sexy Blackjack Dealer
$3 Sexy Blackjack Dealer
$3 Sexy Blackjack Dealer
$3 Sexy Blackjack Dealer
$3 Sexy Blackjack Dealer
$3 Sexy Blackjack Dealer
Fortunately, this is genuine, low-limit, real Blackjack. No 6:5 nonsense. You don’t pay any kind of premium to play in here, and the drink service is quick and friendly. It’s not like they have a lot of tables to attend to. It’s pretty intimate with a great deal of personal attention.
“Sexy” Blackjack is a shoe game that hits soft 17, but three bucks per hand and hot chicks make this an extremely attractive place to play. From a gaming standpoint, I can’t find anything wrong with it.
I pulled the pit dude aside today, and talked to him about what I thought they had done with the casino. “Did you see this place last year?” he asked me half-embarrassed. I informed him that I had indeed been to the Spike over the years, and we both exchanged horror stories about the old joint, and the promise of the new one. He was obviously proud of what has become of the place … as well he should be.
Of course, eye candy will only carry you so far. Gaming is still gaming. Girls are good, but money is better.
I went back and forth between the two tables, giving both dealers a little action. They were both $3 tables, and I spread my bets anywhere from the minimum to about $15. In a nice comeback from the weekend, I had a great run.
I finished off my last hand of the evening with an 8-3, double-down, K against a dealer Ace where her hole card was an 8.
When I got back home, I counted up, and lo and behold … after tips at the tables, the waitress, and the cage, I arrived home with 69% more money than I left with. That’s right, I got sixty nine at the Sexy Blackjack Pit. What can I say? I’ve got it going on like that.
Binion’s taketh away, and the Gold Spike giveth. You never know when you are going to run hot and cold.
Now, are there any caveats at all?
To be honest, the only thing I would be concerned about is the size of the pit and the times of operation. You don’t want to come here with a big crowd, because you may not all get seats at the same time. There are still only two Blackjack tables and one Roulette table, and they still do not open until 5pm. Crowds run from sparse, to full. Let’s face it, it doesn’t take many people leaving or arriving to change the vibe of the joint quickly.
Unfortunately, I have yet to see any real action at the Roulette table. It’s just not a locals kind of game, so I am going to go out on a limb and opine that they may change it to another BJ table, or perhaps even Craps. Then again, once more tourists find the Spike (as they surely will), the wheel of steel may finally get some action.
It could happen. Summer is just around the corner, and the Spike is still in the process of getting its mack on.
So far, so good.
Anyway, if you never thought you would hear the words “Sexy” and “Gold Spike” in the same sentence, you are not alone.
I’m here to spread the good word, though. The gospel if you will.
Gold Spike $3 Sexy Blackjack
Good limits, good odds, great drink service, new tables, and cute/sexy women can indeed be found at the Gold Spike as I type this.
I’ve said it before, and I’ll continue to say it all the damn time.
Being here is everything.
Written by Disco Stu on May 12, 2009 at 11:38 pm
WANT. That is all.
I look forward to seeing them again next month. They are very nice, approachable dealers and anyone would have a great time playing there. The fact that they are all attractive only adds to the new found appeal of the Spike.
Written by Jinx on May 13, 2009 at 6:24 am
If you take the first photo and make it a little glitzier outfit, I would have guessed you took a picture of that virtual blackjack game with the where it’s all computerized with the taped dealers.
Written by Pi on May 13, 2009 at 7:14 am
They’ve got the right idea, but seriously, they have a lot of competition. I doubt I’d go that much out of my way to gamble there.
Written by Andrew on May 13, 2009 at 12:09 pm
Not too bad indeed. Loved that last shot of the dealer!
Written by huddler on May 13, 2009 at 2:21 pm
How would they react if a couple folks sat down and were playing $200-$500 per hand? Do they only see very low limit action in there? Would you get mugged when you left the joint?
Written by Rex on May 13, 2009 at 3:45 pm
How would they react? They would be freaking thrilled.
The main pit guy is familiar with me, the site, etc … and I told him that we might hit the place up during the June fest. He was really happy about it.
I will cement things with him before we invade the place, but they would welcome your play with open arms, and perhaps a few other perks.
It is mostly low limit action normall. I was joking with the dealer about the fact that there were no black chips in the tray.
Given that there will be 10-20 of us there … I would put odds on being mugged as very, very low.
Even alone, the neighborhood is not as bad as it used to be.
That being said, I would not walk to the Spike at midnight by myself with nice clothes and a couple G’s in my pocket.
If you have a couple of people with you, though it’s all good.
It’s just two short blocks to the Fremont Street canopy.
I think playing there is a good idea. It’s the same game as Bellagio, but with far more appreciation and recognition for the customer.
Customer gratitude is becoming a bit of a lost art in this town.
Written by wrxrob on May 13, 2009 at 7:50 pm
Great review of the Spike. I only wish they would improve their video poker. Having a party pit with REAL blackjack is a great start.
Written by blueboar on May 13, 2009 at 10:53 pm
I’ve walked that area in both daylight and at night. Both in a group and alone.
I would echo what Rex said. It’s not a “bad” neighborhood. But it’s kind of lonely at night.
There’s almost no foot traffic at midnight and only some vehicle traffic. And you’re about a medium long block away from where there’s liable to be other people.
So if you’re going to walk that alone, at night, you definitely want to be aware of your surroundings.
Even so, I’d say the walk is easier than a walk to the Western and back by yourself at night. (Which is something I do not recommend for most people.)
Written by Gary Stein on May 14, 2009 at 8:28 am
I don’t frequent downtown b/c I prefer the strip, but as blueboar has said, the key is to be aware of your surroundings. Don’t be there alone if possible, especially if you’re a female and it’s dark. I agree that it’s fine during the day. Don’t flaunt your money, look like you don’t have any, the less you look like you have, the less likely you’ll draw attention.
Written by hugitout on May 14, 2009 at 8:33 am
The new spike’s looking good. Lol @ playing $200-$500 per hand. I think you’ll get every person’s attention there and they would be waiting on you hand and foot. You would be king of the spike.
Written by Huddler on May 14, 2009 at 11:25 am
Lets say we go there and play, but I dont want to walk back to Fremont. Would I be able to hail a cab there?
Written by blueboar on May 14, 2009 at 11:58 am
@Huddler — They’d probably need to call one for you. You’d also need to tip well (which I know you do) as it’s only a block back to Fremont.
Written by georgette on May 15, 2009 at 9:03 am
Their drink service was quick and the cocktail waitress was very friendly and spot on, we never had an empty drink! It was aslo fun to play there, since I am a beginner and dont really know the rules of the game yet, I didnt feel intimidated at all.
Also a plus for the ladies, the bathrooms are clean and have granite counters and cool faucets.
Cant wait to hang out there and just have a good time with a fun bunch of people
Written by SPRUNT on May 15, 2009 at 10:14 am
If we end up playing there for a night, I think we’ll need to have a “beginner’s” table and a Huddler table. I’d hate to be on 3rd base betting $3 a hand and take the dealer’s bust card causing someone to lose $300.
Or we could just sit back and drink a bit.
Written by jerkface on May 19, 2009 at 1:48 pm
Sexy Blackjack sounds like something Borat would have called Alan Keyes.