Video poker is one of the greatest casino games for the player – if you know where to look. While it’s possible to actually play video poker with an advantage over the house, many casinos only spread machines that offer the casino an advantage even if you utilize an excellent strategy. It’s worth pointing out that a lot of these machines still aren’t bad deals for the player, since they offer over 99% returns, and might even be profitable when you consider rewards programs and other perks you might get while playing (those free drinks can really add up).
Online there are almost countless versions of video poker. However, in live casinos there are fewer choices and knowing which ones have the best RTP is important when deciding which one to play. The games you’ll really want to avoid are the true short-pay video poker games, those that offer returns of less than 98%. And if you can find games with pay tables that give you an edge over the house – those with returns of more than 100% – you know you’ve found a place worth spending your money at! In fact, video poker is one of the few places in the casino where a smart player can actually expect to come out ahead in the long run.
Luckily, there are plenty of casinos in and around Las Vegas that are willing to give players a fair shake. Of course, most of these casinos can be found in the Downtown and Off-Strip areas, but we’ve found a couple gems on the Strip, too. We’ve rated casinos based on the variety of video poker games they offer, especially the number of games that offer players who play optimal strategy a chance at returns of over 100%. Here are our picks for the best Vegas casinos for video poker!
Taken on my last trip to the MGM in Vegas, this was my first and only time winning a casino jackpot (sorry for the poor quality photo taken with my very old cellphone)
Fiesta Henderson Video Poker
This Off-Strip casino offers a great selection of full-pay video poker machines that allow players to make a profit – if they play well. Machines that offer over 100% returns include Deuces Wild, Double Bonus, Double Double Bonus and others. Even better, all of these machines have full-pay options starting at the lowest limits, and several have full pay charts at all denominations! No matter what limits you’d like to play at, you’ll find fair, high-paying machines at Fiesta Henderson.
The Palms Video Poker
Though it’s Off-Strip, The Palms is known as one of the nicer casino/hotels outside of the major Strip resorts. That makes it somewhat surprising to see great video poker machines here! There are several different games – including a couple of progressive machines – that offer 100%+ returns for the player. Even better, there are a ton of other games that offer very good returns of 99% or higher. Most of the full pay machines here are at the quarter level, with very little video poker offered below that denomination.
Las Vegas Hilton Video Poker
The Hilton doesn’t have the best video poker in Las Vegas, but it’s definitely our favorite spot on the Strip. Along with plenty of other solid options, they have a few “Loose Deuces” machines that offer 100.15% returns at the quarter and dollar levels. If you want to play at higher or lower levels, you can still find machines offering over 99%, which – while not as fun as knowing you can turn a profit against the casino in the long run – is still better than almost any other game in the casino.
Boulder Station Video Poker
If you don’t mind travelling out to the Boulder Highway, you’ll find an incredible selection of full-pay video poker machines at the Boulder Station Hotel and Casino.
Whether you enjoy playing nickel games or high-stakes video poker, you’ll find a game that offers you returns of over 100%. The best selections are in Double Bonus and
Double Double Bonus, both of which are available at nearly every denomination offered in the casino.
Main Street Station Video Poker
This Downtown casino features one of the widest selections of video poker machines around. Along with several games offering returns of over 99%, there’s a Double Bonus machine – available at the quarter level and up – that will return 100.17% with optimal play. If you want the best video poker action in the Downtown neighborhood, Main Street Station is the place to go.
Honorable Mentions
Of course, these five are far from the only casinos in Las Vegas with great video poker action. Here are a few of the casinos we think also deserve your attention, grouped by the areas you’ll find them in.
Las Vegas Strip Video Poker
- Circus Circus
- Slots-a-Fun
Downtown Video Poker
- California
- El Cortez
- Fitzgeralds
- Four Queens
- Vegas Club
- Western
Off-Strip Video Poker
- Green Valley Ranch
- Palace Station
- Red Rock Casino
- Sam’s Town
- Santa Fe Station
