- Best Video Poker Machines In Las Vegas
- Best Video Poker Machines To Play In Vegas
- Best Video Poker Machines In Vegas
- Best Video Poker On Strip
- Playing Video Poker In Vegas
If you can take one look at a photograph of Downtown Las Vegas in all its vintage glory, and still tell me The Strip can hold a candle to what Sin City used to be, I can’t help you.
Despite my personal inclinations though, pale imitations of European landmarks paired with faux luxury at sky-high prices does appeal to a certain crowd. It must, with most of the 42 million visitors who made the trip to Las Vegas last year confining their entire experience to The Strip.
And hey, I don’t mind seeing a cool show like Absinthe, superstar talents like Celine Dion, or the latest culinary masterpieces from Michelin Guide acclaimed celebrity chefs. Who doesn’t, right?
- WHERE TO PLAY DEUCES WILD VIDEO POKER IN DOWNTOWN LAS VEGAS At one point, downtown Las Vegas was THE place to go for the best odds on slot machines, video poker and table games.
- At the best casinos for video poker players in Las Vegas it’s possible to find machines that pay in excess of 100% with perfect play. Note those words ‘with perfect play’–most of the 100%+ payback machines.
What I won’t do anywhere on Las Vegas Boulevard, however, is play video poker.
The two best games available in Las Vegas are Full Pay Deuces Wild (FPDW – 100.76%) and Kings or Better Joker Wild (KBJW-100.65%) but they are only available at Locals Casinos and do not earn a standard video poker earning rate. Their pay tables are over a 100% theoretical return so if you’re only concerned about the base game, seek these. A Station Casinos exclusive, our Triple Pay Deuces video poker machines offer an incredible 99.9% payback. 100% Payback Video Poker From Deuces Wild to Double Double Bonus Poker, Station Casinos has more 100% payback machines than anyone in the entire Las Vegas. With a friendly gaming floor that’s home to more than 1,000 slots and video poker machines, it’s no wonder locals voted Fiesta Rancho the Best Video Poker in Las Vegas. Whether you prefer multi-hand, triple play, or 99.8% payback, Fiesta Rancho offers all of your favorite video poker variations in spades.
Simply put, The Strip is where video poker bankrolls go to die. Thanks to corporate consolidation within the gambling industry – MGM Resorts and Caesars Entertainment combine to operate 17 of the 30 casinos lining The Strip – players are left to the mercy of the house.
As you might suspect, casinos in the Silver State aren’t exactly known for their merciful ways. After all, they didn’t haul in $11.9 billion in gambling win last year alone by taking it easy on players.
As you might suspect, casinos in the Silver State aren’t exactly known for their merciful ways. After all, they didn’t haul in $11.9 billion in gambling win last year alone by taking it easy on players.
Video poker players bear the brunt of it too, because the ubiquitous Game King machine from IGT allows casinos to tinker with the pay table as they see fit.
Instead of offering a video poker variant’s “full pay” table – or the precise payout structure that creates the game’s highest payback percentage for the player – most casinos on The Strip reduce key payouts.
By changing the 9/6 full pay table in Jacks or Better, for example, the game’s standard 99.54 percent house edge falls off a cliff:
Jacks or Better Pay Table Comparison
TABLE | PAYBACK |
9/6 | 99.54 percent |
9/5 | 98.45 percent |
8/6 | 98.39 percent |
8/5 | 97.30 percent |
7/5 | 96.15 percent |
6/5 | 95.00 percent |
Playing basic strategy a 9/6 version of this video poker classic offers a perfectly reasonable – and even beatable when comps are factored in – payback percentage of 99.54 percent. That leaves a house edge of only 0.46 percent for players to overcome, which is right on par with the best skill games like blackjack.
But as the payouts are downgraded – through slight adjustments to the key pays on a full house and/or flush – Jacks or Better becomes nothing short of a travesty. If I wanted to battle against an unbeatable house edge of 5.00 percent, I’d splash around on a pure game of chance like double-zero roulette, not the ultimate strategic thinker’s game Jacks or Better.
And this pay table conundrum affects all the other variants as well whenever you play on The Strip:
Deuces Wild Pay Table Comparison
TABLE | PAYBACK |
25/15/9/5/3/2 | 100.76 percent |
25/15/11/4/4/3 | 99.96 percent |
25/16/10/4/4/3 | 99.73 percent |
25/15/9/4/4/3 | 98.91 percent |
20/12/10/4/4/3 | 97.58 percent |
20/12/9/4/4/3 | 97.06 percent |
25/16/13/4/3/2 | 96.77 percent |
20/10/8/4/4/3 | 95.96 percent |
25/15/10/4/3/2 | 94.82 percent |
Double Bonus Poker Pay Table Comparison
TABLE | PAYBACK |
10/7 | 100.17 percent |
9/7/5 | 99.11 percent |
9/6/5 | 97.81 percent |
9/6/4 | 96.38 percent |
8/5 | 94.19 percent |
7/5 | 93.11 percent |
Double Double Bonus Poker Pay Table Comparison
TABLE | PAYBACK |
10/6 | 100.07 percent |
9/6/4 | 98.98 percent |
9/5 | 97.87 percent |
8/5 | 96.79 percent |
7/5 | 95.71 percent |
6/5 | 94.66 percent |
To get a taste of how hostile The Strip has become for sharp video poker players, just realize that you can no longer find a single full pay Deuces Wild machine and its famous player edge of 100.76 percent – anywhere on Las Vegas Boulevard. Not a single machine mind you, even in the best high-limit rooms where whales typically get the best odds in exchange for dumping serious sums.
Even so, I know there’s plenty of players out there who are cut from my mold. Maybe it’s nostalgia over the good old days, or just the frugal nature of grizzled veteran gamblers who prefer savings over spectacle, but Downtown Las Vegas still calls out to a significant segment of the video poker community.
Who am I kidding… it’s mostly due to Downtown’s abundance of full pay machines covering all the most popular variants.
On that front, this is a piece dedicated to the five best places to play video poker on fabulous Fremont Street in the Downtown district.
1 – The Plaza Hotel & Casino
An iconic fixture of the Downtown skyline since 1971, the Plaza has the highest payback percentage on Fremont Street thanks to its low-limit 1-Pair Joker Wild machines:
The Plaza’s Best Video Poker Options
VARIANT | FULL PAYBACK | COIN DENOMINATION(S) |
1-Pair Joker Wild | 100.65 percent | 25¢, 50¢ |
Double Bonus | 100.17 percent | 25¢, 50¢¸ $1 |
Double Bonus Plus | 99.76 percent | 25¢, 50¢, $1 |
Bonus Deluxe | 99.64 percent | 25¢, 50¢¸ $1, $2 |
Jacks or Better | 99.54 percent | 25¢, 50¢, $1, $2 |
Bonus Poker | 99.17 percent | 25¢, 50¢, $1, $2, $5 |
Deuces Joker Wild | 99.07 percent | 25¢, 50¢, $1, $2 |
Double Double Bonus | 98.98 percent | 25¢, 50¢, $1, $2 |
The beauty of video poker at the Plaza is variety, as you’ll find more than 225 machines covering 10 different variants – almost all of which offer full pay tables.
2 – California Hotel & Casino
If you prefer the value-packed action found at Boyd Gaming properties, the California is your home away from home when playing Downtown.
Along with full pay Double Bonus and it’s sweet 0.17 percent player edge, video poker at the California spans the spectrum from nickel stakes to five bucks a coin:
California’s Best Video Poker Options
VARIANT | FULL PAYBACK | COIN DENOMINATION(S) |
Double Bonus | 100.17 percent | 25¢, 50¢, $1 |
Not So Ugly Ducks (Deuces Wild) | 99.73 percent | 5¢, 10¢, 25¢, 50¢ |
Super Double Bonus | 99.69 percent | 25¢, 50¢, $1 |
Triple Double Bonus | 99.58 percent | 25¢, 50¢, $1 |
Jacks or Better | 99.54 percent | 25¢, 50¢, $1 |
Loose Deuces Wild | 99.20 percent | $1, $2, $5 |
Bonus Poker | 99.17 percent | 5¢, 10¢, 25¢, 50¢, $1, $2, $5 |
Double Double Bonus | 98.98 percent | 25¢, 50¢, $1 |
3 – El Cortez Hotel & Casino
The Strip keeps adding new casinos every year, but if you want to play at the oldest continuously operated gambling hall in Sin City, the El Cortez is the ticket.
Constructed in 1941, the El Cortez looks and feels like you’ve gone back in time to a bygone era. That antique vibe can be found in the video poker parlor too.
El Cortez’ Best Video Poker Options
VARIANT | FULL PAYBACK | COIN DENOMINATION(S) |
Double Bonus | 100.17 percent | 25¢ |
Super Double Bonus | 99.69 percent | $1 |
Double Deuces Wild | 99.62 percent | 25¢, $1 |
Triple Bonus | 99.59 percent | 25¢ |
Bonus Deuces Wild | 99.45 percent | 25¢ |
A-C-E-S Bonus | 99.40 percent | 25¢ |
If you couldn’t tell, Bonus-based games are the specialty at El Cortez, so head here to hunt for those high-paying four Aces with a kicker jackpots.
4 – Downtown Grand Hotel & Casino
Originally opened in 1964 as the Lady Luck Casino, the newly renovated Downtown Grand is like a little slice of The Strip transported to Fremont Street.
Except for the full pay video poker machines, that is, which are led by the relatively obscure “Super Aces” version of Bonus Poker:
Downtown Grand’s Best Video Poker Options
VARIANT | FULL PAYBACK | COIN DENOMINATION(S) |
Super Aces (Bonus Poker) | 99.94 percent | 25¢, 50¢, $1 |
Jacks or Better | 99.54 percent | 25¢ |
Bonus Poker | 99.17 percent | 25¢, 50¢, $1, $2, $5 |
Double Double Bonus | 98.98 percent | 25¢, 50¢, $1, $2, $5 |
In case you’re unfamiliar with Super Aces, this game is just Bonus Poker with a premium jackpot payout of 2,000 coins (on a max-bet) when you land four of a kind in Aces.
Conclusion
Downtown Las Vegas is where it all started, from Benny Binion hosting the first World Series of Poker, the world famous $0.99 shrimp cocktail, and 100x Odds bets on the craps table. Legends were born there, million-dollar bankrolls were built and burned through in a day, and the world’s gambling capital emerged like an oasis in the Mojave Desert sands. The old drag on Fremont Street has seen better days to be sure, but if you’re a sharp video poker player, historic venues like the ones listed above are the most beautiful sight in Sin City.
There are rumblings Las Vegas is about to get its video poker bars, and its groove, back soon. (Update, 9/17/20: Bars will reopen at 11:59 p.m. on Sep. 20, 2020.)
Bars (that don’t serve food) have been shut down for weeks due to the pandemic, including the most important bars, ones with video poker.
Let’s just say we have some pent-up demand.
While some bars have found workarounds, like free-standing video poker away from the bar, it’s just not the same, and video poker fans are champing at the bit to have their favorite places back online again.
Drink or video poker at the bar, dangerous. Drink at a table next to the bar, you’re good. There will be a quiz.
Here, then, are 11 places we’re going the moment Las Vegas has its video poker bars back again.
1. Vue Bar at The D
This is at the top of our list of favorite video poker bars. The machines are generous, the bartenders are friendly and they pour liberally from the bottle. Pretty much a trifecta of video poker bar greatness.
Vue Bar has gotten a little competition from the new Bar Canada, but Vue still has our heart. And possibly liver.
2. Whiskey Licker Up at Binion’s
When Whiskey Licker Up opened at Binion’s, there was no video poker. We changed their mind. There are four machines at one end of the non-revolving bar, and there’s something magical about that spot. Bonus: Epic chicken tenders.
We’re only telling you about this spot because we know you’ll relinquish your machine if we show up. Ahem.
3. Front Yard at Ellis Island
Front Yard barely had a chance to get rolling before the closures hit. While the restaurant at Front Yard is open, we need the bar back! Pours from the bottle (no guns), a great atmosphere, awesome food menu and outstanding value make Front Yard a must-do near The Strip.
Try the pretzel, it’s as big as your mother-in-law.
4. View Bar at Strat
This one’s a gem we sometimes refer to as our home away from home. View Bar at Strat is all the things we love about a video poker spot. We’ve rarely had a losing session on their machines, the drinks and service are excellent, and the food (served from the nearby PT’s Pub kitchen nearby) is top notch. Another video poker bar, Remix, is great, too, if food isn’t one of your requirements. Tri card poker.
Remember when people could play video poker sitting next to each other? Weird.
5. Lobby Bar at Mirage
We don’t play at Lobby Bar a lot, but when we do, it’s mostly for nostalgia. Lobby Bar at Mirage was the first video poker bar in Vegas that used drink monitoring via a voucher system. Drink monitoring has become pretty universal in Vegas now, but sometimes we play at Lobby Bar just to chat up the bartenders and beat the house to remind them who’s boss.
Gibson online casino. Furnace at Downtown Grand probably should’ve had this spot on our list. You’re welcome, Mirage.
6. Prohibition Bar at Golden Gate
Prohibition Bar at Golden Gate is a glorious stretch of everything Vegas. Long pours, good games and a view that’s hard to beat. (Two words: Dancing dealers.) Golden Gate is a tad loud, but if you’re in the mood, it’s hard to find a better spot to settle in and flex those quads.
A day without bartenders Valeria and Spyder barely qualifies as a day.
7. West Bar at Park MGM
![Video Video](https://www.usaonlinecasino.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/12/Luxor-1-1024x576-1.jpg)
Best Video Poker Machines In Las Vegas
The bar is recognizable to many, even if the name isn’t. Used poker machines. This petite casino bar at Park MGM is the quintessential casino bar, and has just the right amount of comped drinks (you have to use a players card now), socializing and service. Park MGM reopens Sep. 20, 2020, and we suspect our bars will be back by then, so we can’t wait to visit West Bar at the first opportunity.
Park MGM is going smoke-free, another reason to drop some cheddar here.
8. Palace Bar at Four Queens
It’s not fancy, but Palace Bar at Four Queens downtown is nevertheless epic. We’ll always have a special place in our heart for Palace Bar, as it was where we got our first and only royal flush, ever. Honestly, all the video poker at Four Queens is great, including at another casino bar, Kings Bar, and inside Chicago Brewing. We can’t wait to return.
Who doesn’t want to play video poker at their wedding reception?
Best Video Poker Machines To Play In Vegas
9. Longbar at The D
Longbar has a lot going on. It’s loud as hell. There’s a lot of sports. There’s flair. There’s testosterone. There’s the energy of the table games nearby. The people-watching is off the charts. Oh, and there’s also video poker. Longbar is the undisputed center of the action on Fremont Street, and seeing it without people has been a daily gut punch. We need our Longbar like a pack needs a fanny. Or something.
10. SG Bar in Summerlin
We had to include one for the locals, and SG Bar is one of our absolute favorite locals joints to drink, play, drink, eat and drink. Although, not always in that order. SG stands for “Sierra Gold,” from Golden Entertainment, owners of The Strat. The atmosphere is a notch above the typical PT’s or Sierra Gold, and SG Bar just does everything right. It’s about 15 minutes west of The Strip, and the minute bars open again, we’ll be there downing pot stickers and foolishly giving up full houses to go for four-of-a-kinds.
SG Bar is always happy to see you.
11. Chandelier Bar at Cosmopolitan
Best Video Poker Machines In Vegas
Last, but not least, is the jewel of The Strip. Chandelier Bar isn’t so much a video poker bar as an experience. The gorgeous surroundings and liberal drink vouchers make this spot a vital part of any visit to Las Vegas. Vegas won’t really be Vegas again until we can play video poker at Chandelier Bar, so let’s make it sooner than later.
Chandelier Bar at Cosmopolitan is the fancy by which all other fancy is measured.
So, that’s our itinerary for when video poker bars open up in Las Vegas again.
We’d love to hear about your favorite places to play.
For the record, Boar’s Head Bar at Main Street would’ve been on our list, but the casino isn’t open yet.
Has the closure of video poker bars influenced your decision to visit? Can you scratch your itch playing video poker on the casino floor?
Best Video Poker On Strip
Not that itch, the metaphorical one.
Playing Video Poker In Vegas
Let’s get video poker bars open again in Las Vegas. These machines aren’t going to “one jack off” themselves!