Best Video Poker Machines in Vegas Casinos - Your Experiences?

[jonfsnow]

Just got back from a Vegas trip, and I spent a good chunk of time hunting for the best video poker machines. I’m a bit of a Deuces Wild fan, so I was laser-focused on finding full-pay tables with solid returns. Let me share what I found.
At The Venetian, they had a bank of 9/6 Jacks or Better machines near the high-limit slots. The paytables were decent, around 99.5% RTP with perfect play, but the minimum bet was $1 per credit, which felt a bit steep for casual play. The machines were in great condition, and the area was quiet, so no complaints about the vibe. I played for a couple of hours and broke even, which I’ll take as a win.
Over at the Golden Nugget, I stumbled on some 8/5 Bonus Poker machines in the back corner of the casino. Not the best paytable, but the variance felt right for my bankroll, and I hit a few quads that kept me in the game. The downside? The machines were older, and one had a sticky button that drove me nuts. Still, the staff was quick to fix it when I flagged them down.
The real gem was at The D. They had a small row of 10/7 Double Bonus machines tucked away near the bar. These are rare in Vegas these days, and the RTP was pushing 100.2% with optimal strategy. I spent most of my last night there, and let’s just say I walked away with a smile. The only catch is the machines were 25-cent denomination, so you need a decent roll to play for long.
One thing I noticed across all three spots: always check the paytables before you sit down. Some machines look identical but sneak in worse payouts for flushes or full houses. Also, if you’re playing at a place with a players’ club, sign up. The comps add up, especially if you’re grinding for hours.
Curious what machines you all have been hitting in Vegas lately. Any hidden spots with great paytables I should check out next time?

 

[skips7]

Just got back from a Vegas trip, and I spent a good chunk of time hunting for the best video poker machines. I’m a bit of a Deuces Wild fan, so I was laser-focused on finding full-pay tables with solid returns. Let me share what I found.
At The Venetian, they had a bank of 9/6 Jacks or Better machines near the high-limit slots. The paytables were decent, around 99.5% RTP with perfect play, but the minimum bet was $1 per credit, which felt a bit steep for casual play. The machines were in great condition, and the area was quiet, so no complaints about the vibe. I played for a couple of hours and broke even, which I’ll take as a win.
Over at the Golden Nugget, I stumbled on some 8/5 Bonus Poker machines in the back corner of the casino. Not the best paytable, but the variance felt right for my bankroll, and I hit a few quads that kept me in the game. The downside? The machines were older, and one had a sticky button that drove me nuts. Still, the staff was quick to fix it when I flagged them down.
The real gem was at The D. They had a small row of 10/7 Double Bonus machines tucked away near the bar. These are rare in Vegas these days, and the RTP was pushing 100.2% with optimal strategy. I spent most of my last night there, and let’s just say I walked away with a smile. The only catch is the machines were 25-cent denomination, so you need a decent roll to play for long.
One thing I noticed across all three spots: always check the paytables before you sit down. Some machines look identical but sneak in worse payouts for flushes or full houses. Also, if you’re playing at a place with a players’ club, sign up. The comps add up, especially if you’re grinding for hours.
Curious what machines you all have been hitting in Vegas lately. Any hidden spots with great paytables I should check out next time?

1 𝕏 post
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Alright, let's dive into this. Your Vegas rundown is solid, and I appreciate the details on those paytables—checking those is half the battle. Since you’re chasing Deuces Wild and high-RTP machines, I’ll share some thoughts on bankroll management and a few spots I’ve hit recently, with a critical eye on what’s worth your time and what’s not.

First off, your find at The D with those 10/7 Double Bonus machines is legit. Anything over 100% RTP with perfect play is a unicorn these days, but here’s the catch: those 25-cent denominations can chew through your bankroll faster than you’d think if variance swings against you. I’d suggest setting a strict session limit—say, 100-150 units (so $25-$37.50 at a quarter per credit). That way, you’re not bleeding out chasing a royal flush that might not show. Also, with machines like that, avoid using your player’s card. Casinos track your play, and if you’re grinding positive EV games, they’ll cut your comps or even ban you. It’s not paranoia; it’s how they roll.

On The Venetian’s 9/6 Jacks or Better, 99.5% RTP is decent, but $1 per credit is a red flag for anyone not flush with cash. If you’re playing at that level, you need at least 400-500 units ($400-$500) to weather the swings, especially since Jacks or Better has lower variance but still bites if you hit a cold streak. My rule: if the minimum bet feels like it’s stretching your budget, drop to a lower denomination or walk. There’s no shame in playing nickels or dimes if the paytable’s still strong. You mentioned breaking even, which is great, but I’d cap your session time to avoid tilting into losses after a long grind.

The Golden Nugget’s 8/5 Bonus Poker is a pass for me. Anything under 99% RTP is a trap unless you’re just killing time with a small bankroll. Those older machines and sticky buttons don’t help—casinos know they can skimp on maintenance when the paytables are mediocre. If you’re set on Bonus Poker, hunt for 9/6 tables, which push closer to 99.6%. Your quad hits kept you alive, but that’s luck, not strategy. Next time, I’d allocate no more than 10-15% of your bankroll to machines like that and move on quick if they’re not paying.

Now, my recent experiences. I was in Vegas a couple of months ago, and I’m also a Deuces Wild guy, so I feel you on the hunt for full-pay tables. South Point is my go-to. They’ve got a bank of 9/6 Deuces Wild machines (100.76% RTP with perfect play) near the poker room, mostly quarter and half-dollar denominations. The vibe’s no-frills, but the machines are in good shape, and the paytables are untouched—rare for 2025. I played about 10 hours over two days, stuck to a $200 session bankroll, and walked away up $450 after hitting two wild royals. Key here: I used a stop-loss of $100 per session. If I dropped that, I’d take a break, grab a coffee, and reset. Keeps you from chasing losses.

Another spot worth checking is Plaza. They’ve got one full-pay Joker Poker machine (100.65% RTP) behind the sportsbook bar, quarter and dollar denominations. It’s a single machine, so you might have to wait, but it’s worth it. The strategy’s a beast to learn, but if you nail it, you’re in positive EV territory. I’d recommend practicing on a free app first—don’t wing it on a game like that. My bankroll approach there was 200 units ($50 at quarters), with a win goal of $150 per session. Hit that, and I’d pocket the profit and play with the original stake.

One place I’d skip: most Strip casinos. Your Venetian find is an exception, but places like Bellagio or Caesars often stick you with 7/5 or 8/5 Jacks or Better, barely scraping 97-98% RTP. They bank on tourists who don’t check paytables. If you’re stuck on the Strip, MGM Grand has some 9/6 Jacks or Better in their high-limit room, $5 minimum, but you need a deep bankroll—think $2,000 minimum to play comfortably.

A final tip: treat your bankroll like a sportsbook account. Split it into daily chunks (say, 20% of your total per day), and never dip into tomorrow’s funds. Also, track your sessions—wins, losses, hours played. I use a simple spreadsheet. It’s not sexy, but it keeps you honest and shows if you’re leaking money on bad machines. Vegas is a marathon, not a sprint, and those comps you mentioned only matter if you’re still in the game.

What’s your bankroll strategy when you’re hunting these machines? And anyone else got recent finds on full-pay Deuces Wild or other high-RTP games? I’m all ears for my next trip.

 

[corsa]

Yo, nice breakdown on your Vegas hunt—those 10/7 Double Bonus machines at The D sound like a proper score. I’m also a sucker for Deuces Wild, so I get the thrill of chasing those full-pay tables. Let me toss in my two cents from a recent trip, with a focus on what’s worth playing and how to keep your bankroll from vanishing in the desert.

Your point about checking paytables is gospel. I got burned once at a Strip joint, sat down at what I thought was a 9/6 Jacks or Better, but it was 8/5—RTP barely cleared 97%. Lesson learned: always scope the payout for flushes and full houses before dropping a dime. On your Venetian find, 99.5% RTP is solid, but that $1 per credit minimum is brutal unless you’re rolling deep. For me, anything over 50 cents a credit needs a bankroll of at least 300 units to avoid sweating bullets. You broke even, which is a win in my book, but I’d cap sessions at 90 minutes to stay sharp and avoid fatigue bets.

The Golden Nugget’s 8/5 Bonus Poker? Hard pass unless I’m just messing around with pocket change. Sub-99% RTP is a casino’s way of saying, “Thanks for the donation.” Your quad hits were lucky, but those older machines with sticky buttons scream neglect. If Bonus Poker’s your thing, I’d rather hunt for 9/6 tables, which nudge closer to 99.7%. Pro move: set a loss limit of 50 units on machines like that and bounce if they’re cold.

That 10/7 Double Bonus at The D, though—100.2% RTP is the stuff of dreams. Those 25-cent denominations can still sting, so I’d roll with a $150 session bankroll and a stop-loss of $50. Also, ditch the player’s card on positive EV machines. Casinos aren’t dumb—they’ll flag you as a grinder and kill your comps or worse. I’ve seen guys get the boot for less.

My recent Vegas run had some highs and lows. I hit up El Cortez, which is off-Strip but a goldmine for video poker. They’ve got a bank of full-pay Deuces Wild (9/5, 100.76% RTP) near the cage, quarter and half-dollar stakes. Machines are older but functional, and the vibe’s chill—no flashing lights or drunk tourists. I played three sessions, $100 bankroll each, and pulled a $300 profit after nailing a wild royal. My strategy: 100 units per session, win goal of $75, and a hard stop if I drop $40. Keeps me disciplined.

Another spot—Circus Circus, believe it or not. They’ve got a couple of 9/6 Jacks or Better machines (99.54% RTP) tucked near the west bar, 25-cent stakes. Not as juicy as Deuces Wild, but the variance is lower, so it’s easier on the bankroll. I’d bring 150 units ($37.50 at quarters) and aim for $50 wins per session. Only downside: the area’s loud, so bring earbuds if you’re grinding long.

Avoid most of the big Strip casinos like the plague. Bellagio and Aria are notorious for 7/5 Jacks or Better or worse, barely hitting 97%. They’re banking on you being too buzzed to notice. If you’re stuck on the Strip, check out Excalibur. They’ve got a few 8/6 Deuces Wild machines (99.7% RTP) near the sports book, quarter denominations. Not perfect, but better than most. Bankroll there: 200 units, stop at $60 loss or $100 win.

Quick bankroll tip: treat it like a sports betting account. Divide your total into daily chunks—say, $200 a day for a $1,000 trip. Never touch the next day’s stack, no matter how hot you feel. I track everything in a notebook: date, machine, paytable, session time, win/loss. Sounds nerdy, but it’s saved me from blowing my wad on a bad run.

What’s your approach to session limits or bankroll splits? And anyone else got a line on full-pay Deuces Wild or other high-RTP machines? Always looking for the next edge.