Editor's note: Part 1 of this article appeared in issue #166.

This month I continued my search for blackjack gold in Laughlin Nevada. All the casinos, except for the Tropicana, are located on the banks of the Colorado River, and are connected via the river taxi. The cost for the taxi is $4 one way or $15 for an all-day pass and it is an enjoyable, relaxing way to visit all that Laughlin has to offer.

As you roll into town, the first casino you see on the left is the Riverside Resort Hotel and Casino. Established in 1966, the Riverside was the original hotel and casino in Laughlin.

The main gaming pit at Riverside offers breathtaking views of the majestic Colorado River. They offer the following table games: Roulette, Craps, Three-Card Poker, Let-It -Ride, Pai Gow Poker, Ultimate Texas Hold’em, and Blackjack. In addition, a non-smoking casino offers Blackjack, Roulette, Three-Card Poker, and Let-It-Ride.

Riverside Casino West is Riverside’s latest gaming area, and can be accessed by either the 560-space adjacent parking garage, or via the skyway crossing over Casino Drive that connects the main casino.

The South Tower non-smoking gaming area has over 270 multi-denomination slot and video poker machines. Riverside west boasts over 180 machines, and the main casino claims hundreds of machines.

In addition, there is a ten-table poker room, with beautiful views of the majestic Colorado River and surrounding mountains, thanks to the floor to ceiling glass wall. All limits of Texas Hold’em and Omaha is offered.

The Riverside offers more single-deck blackjack than any other Laughlin casinos. I am happy to report that they still pay 3:2 for regular blackjacks on all of their tables. There are twelve single-deck games and five shoe games. The rules for both games are dealer hits soft seventeen, and double down on 10 and 11 only. Table limits are $5-$1000 and penetration is good for both the single deck and shoe games; the house advantage is 0.44% for single deck and 0.94% for the six-deck shoe games. Single deck is definitely the game to play here.

The Aquarius Casino Resort is next door, located at the heart of the Laughlin Riverwalk, a colorful district of shopping dining and nightlife destinations. This desert gem overlooks the Colorado River from all angles, and it is the recipient of eight prestigious 2012 "Best Of" awards. The Aquarius offers over 1,250 slot and video poker machines, plus a state-of-the-art race and sports book.

The 57,000 square foot casino offers Craps, Mini Baccarat, Roulette, Big Six, Let-It-Ride, Three-Card Poker, Pai Gow, Crazy 4 Poker, Ultimate Texas Hold’em, and of course, Blackjack.

The blackjack offered here are single-deck, double-deck, and six-deck shoe games. Single deck is a waste of time, as blackjacks are paid 6:5. There are two double-deck games with H17 rules; no doubling after splitting, and you cannot re-split aces. The house edge is slightly over a half percent, and the penetration is about 60 percent give- or-take a few cards. The table limits are $25-$1000 most of the time, with the minimum going down to $15 sometimes during the swing shift.

There are about ten tables of six-deck shoe games; unfortunately, a few pay the dreaded 6:5. Other than that nothing to write home about, Hit seventeen rules no doubling after splitting, and no re-splitting aces. House advantage is .76% for the 3:2 payouts, and a whopping 2.12% for the 6:5 games. Table limits are $5-$500 and the cut card is placed one and a half decks deep.

Up next is the Edgewater Hotel and Casino, and is also located along the banks of the mighty Colorado River. The main casino offers 40,000 square foot of gaming action, complete with Blackjack, Craps, and Roulette, Three-Card Poker, High Card Flush (a new game), Let-It-Ride, and Pai Gow Poker. There are 1,053 hotel rooms, of which 80% are non-smoking. The hotel is roughly 26 stories high.