Caesars Palace is an iconic Las Vegas casino, and it's known for its upscale atmosphere. This is a place with plenty of high limit games, so come prepared to spend some money. Poker players can enjoy a 16-table poker room that offers a daily tournament schedule. A race and sports book give players a vast array of games to watch and bet on, plus private booths with their own individual screens. You can also try out the newest in skill-based games with games like Cannonbeard's Treasure, a combination of cards, skill and naval warfare. Numerous restaurants, an A-list of entertainers and an upscale shopping mall are also on the grounds of the hotel, in case you decide to give Lady Luck a break for a while.

Recommended for Casinos because: With a wide array of games, a race, sportsbook and their own sports betting app, Caesars gives players plenty of ways to win.

Terrisa's expert tip: New games from Gamblit Gaming offer interactive gaming, including a new take on poker. The two to four-person game starts with two cards and when the rest of the deck is shown, players have to grab the cards they need for a good hand.

The El Cortez in Downtown Las Vegas has been around for decades, long before mega-sized casinos and ATM machines. The property's history includes Ben 'Bugsy' Siegel, who was once a partial owner. Today the vintage casino attracts patrons who want a taste of Old Vegas. Gamblers will find a large selection of low-limits games, a casual atmosphere, and a large supply of colorful customers who keep the vibe authentic. Perhaps most notably, gamblers can also find single and double deck blackjack. Las Vegas got its start Downtown, thanks to places like the El Cortez. Today, it's still a reason to make the trip to Fremont Street.

Mar 23, 2017  The Las Vegas Strip is known for its larger-than-life buffets, blinding neon lights, topless pool parties and high rollers. But for those who love the thrill of gaming, but want a more affordable and less intimidating Las Vegas vacation, so-called “locals” casinos (those frequented by Nevada residents and visitors living within a few hour’s drive) are a great bet (no pun intended!). Where to play jacks or better video poker on the las vegas strip The Las Vegas Strip may no longer be the ‘gambling mecca’ of the world but it still attracts millions of visitors per year. In recent years, the casinos in ‘ Sin City ‘ have been trying to diversify away from gambling.

Recommended for Casinos because: The El Cortez hasn't lost its vintage Vegas ambiance, offering coin-operated machines and single and double deck blackjack.

Terrisa's expert tip: For players who find the newer coin-less gaming machines a little odd, the El Cortez offers over 200 original coin machines, including penny and nickel machines.

South Point's location on the far end of Las Vegas Boulevard means it's not actually a part of the Strip, which is a bonus for visitors. The casino is one of those with aspects that appeal to both residents and tourists, giving its guests the benefits of both lower prices and plenty of amenities. The casino offers a wealth of machine play, with over 2,390 slot and poker machines. The casino floor holds over 60 table games, including all the standards as well as some newer games like Progressive Fortune Pai-Gow Poker, No Commission Baccarat and Three Card Poker. A poker room, bingo room and a race and sports book round out the gaming options here.

Recommended for Casinos because: With a massive number of slot and poker machines, South Point's casino is a great choice for players who prefer machine play.

Terrisa's expert tip: The South Point's Arena and Equestrian Center hosts events throughout the year. Check the website for coming events that feature horses of all kinds and rodeo-style performances.

This beautiful resort on the far west side of the city is one of those Vegas casinos that attracts both locals and tourists. Boasting thousands of slot/video poker machines and table games including blackjack, baccarat, craps, poker and roulette, the casino at Red Rock Resort is sure to have everyone's favorite game; there's even a 610-seat bingo hall (with a non-smoking section) and a keno lounge. Non-smokers can also enjoy a game of poker in Red Rock Resort's smoke-free poker room. A private high-limit room is available for high rollers, a mobile app is available for wagering and there's a 206-seat race and sportsbook with a 96-foot video wall for sports fans to watch and bet on all the latest games.

Recommended for Casinos because: Red Rock's casino has a solid variety of games available, including a few not commonly found at Strip casinos like bingo and keno.

Terrisa's expert tip: In addition to a casino, Red Rock also offers guests plenty of non-gaming activities, like bowling and movie theaters. Downtown Summerlin, with its shops, restaurants and attractions, is also nearby.

The Palms recently underwent a renovation and is proudly reclaiming its reputation as a hip and trendy hang-out. With a location just off the Strip, the casino enjoys a clientele that includes locals as well as visitors. For Vegas casinos, a strong local presence is thought to give the players slightly better odds (although it's worth noting that the house always has the advantage). The Palms claims to have the loosest slots in town, and with over 1,500 machines to choose from, you've got plenty of chances to find a winning one. A generously sized casino floor is filled with a variety of games like Baccarat, blackjack, poker, roulette, and craps. High-stakes games include no-limit Texas Hold'em.

Recommended for Casinos because: The Palms offers players a trendy atmosphere and plenty of places to play in its large casino.

Terrisa's expert tip: If you're looking for low limit games, casinos off the Strip like the Palms are a good bet. With a stronger locals presence, players will find more low-limits tables and many believe the odds are better for properties off the Strip.

Just as you'd expect from a classic Las Vegas casino, The Mirage has the full array of expected games: blackjack, baccarat, craps, roulette, a variety of poker and casino war. Guests can even enjoy non-smoking tables, once an unusual feature in Las Vegas but something more people are requesting. Slots range from a penny per play to $1,000. A full-service race and sports book will let you watch and wager on all the games, which are broadcast on huge 85' HD projection screens. The Mirage's poker room is consistently acknowledged as one of the preferred places to try your hand with Lady Luck, with Hold'em (limit and no-limit), Omaha and 7 card stud available. Buy-ins range from single digits to $1,000+. Tournaments happen throughout the day with buy-ins starting at $65.

Recommended for Casinos because: The Mirage casino offers a wide range of games appealing to both novice and experienced players, non-smoking tables and a mobile app.

Terrisa's expert tip: Along with other MGM properties, the Mirage offers mobile gaming apps. The sports betting app allows guess to place bets no matter where they are on the property.

Best Casino Las Vegas Strip

The D in Downtown Las Vegas has been around for a while. Originally opened as the Sundance, later changed to Fitzgeralds, and now in its latest incarnation as The D, this long-time Fremont Street casino hotel is going stronger than ever. On the first floor, players will find a standard array of table games, slots and video gaming. On the second floor, the vibe is vintage with coin-operated machines. The D's Dancing Dealers® will spice up your game, and when you're in need of a break, LONGBAR offers over a thousand feet of counter, flair bartenders and video poker machines. On the second floor, Vue Bar gives you a great view of Fremont Street perfect for watching the Viva Vision light show.

Recommended for Casinos because: The D's assortment of modern and vintage games ensures players they'll find a table or video game that's just right for them.

Terrisa's expert tip: The D is home to the city's only remaining Sigma Derby machine, a mechanized horse racing game. Located on the second floor with the other vintage games, Sigma Derby continues to be a popular attraction at The D.

The sleek and sophisticated casino at ARIA features more than 150,000 square feet of gaming space, including 1,940 slot machines and 145 table games. Gamblers can test their luck at blackjack, craps, baccarat, roulette, Let it Ride, Pai Gow and Ultimate Texas Hold'em, among other games. A popular spot with poker players, the casino at ARIA has a luxurious 24-table poker room. ARIA also boasts an intimate (and non-smoking) race and sportsbook that can show up to 200 live events at once and displays big events on at least one of its 220-inch TVs, so bettors are never in danger of missing any of the action. You can also use your mobile device for sports betting from anywhere in the state of Nevada when you use the playMGM app offered at ARIA and other MGM properties. Just sign up, fund your account and start placing bets.

Recommended for Casinos because: ARIA is known for its popular poker room, but the casino is home to a wide range of games and a sportsbook.

Terrisa's expert tip: ARIA offers a high-limit slots room called SPIN, which has a separate cage, restrooms and dining area. Players who want to go big on slots will find plenty of options here.

The Golden Nugget has been around since the 1940s, and like a lot of Downtown hotels, it's kept an Old Vegas ambiance. The Golden Nugget is one of the larger, more upscale properties along Fremont Street, and so its casino isn't the cheapest in the area, but it is consistently high-energy. In addition to all the regular table games, you'll find slots, keno, a poker room and a race and sportsbook. A wide array of minimums should give every gambler a price point they can be pleased with. It's not unusual to see crowds around the hot tables on the floor, and it can get crowded at various points. It's a smaller sized casino in comparison to the mega-casinos on the Strip, but it's also easier to navigate and has a more down-to-earth feel.

Recommended for Casinos because: With a lively casino floor and an array of games, the Golden Nugget offers players a wide range of opportunities to test their luck.

Terrisa's expert tip: Sign up for a player's card to get the best value from your play. The Golden Nugget 24K Select card earns points that can be redeemed for free play, food and other purchases.

The Venetian's stunning architecture provides bettors with one of the more memorable gambling environments on the Vegas Strip. Combined with its sister property, The Palazzo, The Venetian offers hundreds of table games in separate areas covering a huge area. Gaming options include blackjack, baccarat, roulette, craps, Pai Gow poker and various novelty games. For guests who prefer playing the one-armed bandit, there are more than 1,000 slot machines to choose from at the Venetian alone. Even when the casino is busy, it's large enough that you never feel crowded. There's also poolside gaming available at The Palazzo, and the Venetian offers mobile gaming for race and sportsbook betting no matter where you are.

Recommended for Casinos because: The Venetian's strikingly designed, large casino is home to a long list of table games, slots and other games of chance.

Terrisa's expert tip: The Venetian's poker room holds two daily tournaments at 12:10 and 6:10 p.m. with buy-ins from $125 to $340. The casino also hosts other poker tournaments; check the website for details on the current offerings.

Tourists often have a hard time finding good returns on video poker when visiting Las Vegas. This is mainly because most of the games on the Las Vegas Strip have a house edge of at least 2%. On top of that, the games at McCarran Airport are far worse than any of the games you’ll find at many Vegas casinos. Serious video poker players will want to stay away from the Strip all together when visiting Las Vegas, or at least take a short taxi ride to find the better games with a higher RTP.

While that is the case, there are still many options available to casino advantage players; you just have to know where to look. Below we’ll go into further detail on how you can find the best casinos to play video poker when visiting Las Vegas.

#1 The D: Best Video Poker Game in Las Vegas

The single best video poker machine in Las Vegas is located at one of my personal favorites; The D. The casino at The D is located downtown on the Fremont Street Experience, which you’ll recognize by the infamous red “D” logo. The game we are talking about is called Loose Deuces Wild and it returns 101.6% on five coins (with perfect play).

There is just one single machine with this game on it at The D, and it’s located on the second floor. All machines found on this level operate on coins. The denomination for this Loose Deuces Wild machine is a measly $.05. If that machine is taken, there is also a 10/7/5 Double Bonus game available in quarters just a few steps away.

Honorable Mention: Video Poker at The M Resort & Casino

We recently decided to add in The M Resort & Casino as an honorable mention. As of 2018, The M has one of the best overall video poker offerings for players among casinos in the Las Vegas area. When considering the 99% payback games available at machines around the resort, including at the bars, The M casino in Henderson is a great choice for video poker players.

There are many 99% machines available in the high limit room as well, with denominations as low as $1. This casino is about 20 minutes off the strip, but is one of the newest properties in Henderson and has one of the most modern layouts among Las Vegas Casinos.

Other Great Video Poker Games in Downtown Las Vegas

The D is not the only place on Fremont Street to find good video poker games that return over 100%. While the Vegas Strip’s positive payback video poker machines are few and far between, Fremont Street has a lot to offer in this regard. Below we have outlined the casinos with positive payback on video poker.

#2 El Cortez Video Poker

The El Cortez offers several $0.25 full pay Deuces Wild machines which have a 100.76% payback. Aside from this, they also spread 10/7/5 Double Bonus Poker in several locations on the casino floor. With this abundance of great options, it is one of the best casinos to visit for playing video poker.

#3 Las Vegas Club Video Poker (Now Closed)

The casino at Las Vegas Club in downtown Las Vegas spreads full pay Joker Poker which has a 100.64% return. All of these games operate on coins and return over 100%, which is much better than those located on the strip. This casino has since been sold, closed and a new property will take its place. For posterity and reference, we have left this in our guide.

#4 Boyd Gaming Video Poker

Two of the three Boyd Gaming properties in downtown Las Vegas offer video poker machines that return over 100%. In downtown Las Vegas, California and Main Street Station have 10/7/5 Double Bonus. These casinos also have a variety of full pay games that return 99.5% or better. Main Street Station has full pay Jacks or Better at the bar as well.

#5 Plaza Las Vegas Video Poker

Best Gambling Casinos On The Strip

It is also worth noting that Plaza Las Vegas recently upgraded all of its video poker machines, many of which now return over 100%. Its best game is 10/7/5 Double Bonus, which returns 100.17%. It also has 9/6 Bonus Poker Deluxe and 9/6 Jacks or Better. Both of these games are located at the bar, which is an added plus.

Vegas Locals’ Casinos with the Best Video Poker

If you are looking to get away from Fremont Street and the Las Vegas Strip, there are many locals casinos that offer 100%+ return video poker machines. All major Station Casinos properties offer video poker games that return over 100%. Red Rock, Santa Fe Station, Green Valley Ranch, Boulder Station and Texas Station are among the casinos that offer these games. Not all machines at these properties have the great returns. The ones that do will be clearly advertised, so they are fairly easy to spot.

The best game on these video poker machines is full pay Deuces Wild. Other great options include 10/7/5 Double Bonus and 10/6 Double Double Bonus. Some of the machines also offer full pay Joker Poker. All games are available in quarters. The Double and Double Double Bonus games are also available in $.50 and $1 denominations.

Palms spreads full pay Deuces Wild, Double Bonus and Double Double Bonus. Sam’s Town also offers these games. All are available in quarters.

Never Use Players Card in Full Pay Machines

When many Video poker players start out, they learn that they should always use a players card when giving video poker action. The games listed above are one of the only exceptions. The reason for this is that casinos will often assume players that play on these devices are experts who are giving up no edge on the game. This can stop all mailers from casinos which means no more free play or hotel offers. For this reason it will do you well to avoid using a players card on these types of machines; even if you have a players card at the casino.

Best Casino Hotels In Vegas

How Can Casinos Make Money Off 100% Video Poker?

Best Casinos In Vegas

Casinos still make money from video poker games that return more than 100%. That is because many players will not play all five coins required for the extra royal flush bonus. Most of the games available require a complicated basic strategy that differs from Jacks or Better. Many players do not put in the time to learn these strategies, and the casinos know this. The Deuces Wild games found on these machines should not be played like a normal game with a lower pay table, since it has a completely different strategy.

Best Local Casino In Vegas

For these reasons, casinos still manage to make money from the games we mentioned in this article. Always make sure to play five coins every hand and learn the proper strategy so that you can play at an advantage on full pay machines. This will result in a theoretical 100%+ return on your play.