Poll : 01 December - 14 December 2010

Analysis

Thanks, as always, to everyone who took part in this survey. It's no great surprise that the Palms was such a clear winner; that's what Anthony Curtis' recent report revealed, too, backed up by Gaming Control. (But our offer remains open to any property who thinks their machines are looser and would like us to carry out an independent comparison.)

We based the voting options on vpFREE2's Best Video Poker listings, but in hindsight your top "Other" picks, including Main Street Station and Four Queens, should have been included, too, and many of you used the "Other" option to vote for them. Now, as always, here's some of your email feedback:

• "Main Street Station. When I was last there in September they still had 9/6 Jacks or Better at 25 cents at the bar and on the floor.  Of course, you had to look to find the machines, but they were there."
• "I chose the Orleans because I am always comped for rooms & food.  They don't have any 100% video poker machines, but when I have gone to casinos that have them, I get a card, play 100% VP, but never hear from them."
• Clarion Hotel & Casino (formerly the Greek Isles)."
• "I’m waiting to see the results so I’ll know where to play. It’s a changed landscape now."
• "We think the Fremont has the best video poker in Vegas. They are the ONLY casino with full-pay Pick 'Em poker. They also have Triple Bonus Plus Poker at full pay for quarters and many 9/6 DDB, 9/6 Jacks or Better, and 8/5 BP. We have seen a ton of royals and aces hands over our stays there. I've been coming to Vegas for 28 years now and seen the so called '[Best' tag at a lot of different places. Much like what happened at Casino MonteLago at Lake Las Vegas: They open up with great games and schedules and then pull them out after everyone starts to play and enjoy the place. The Fremont just leaves things alone and that's what counts for us."
• "In your latest poll what to you mean by 'best video poker'? Do you mean the highest return, or the one that I like the best? For example, one of my favorites is the 8/5 Bonus Poker slant tops in the high-limit room at Planet Hollywood (only during the day, when they play music I like). Now, perhaps I could play elsewhere and get a slightly higher return, but what if I do not like the other casino as much? Is this better or worse? Remember, I’m on vacation and my goal is to have fun. I’m willing to give up 0.5 % in return if it makes for a more enjoyable overall experience. For the professionals who play VP for a living, I guess that return is everything, but for me the experience, the ambiance of the casino, the benefits of the players club, and a whole host of other factors (music, drink service, eye candy, etc.) all factor into the evaluation of what is 'best'." [Ed: Well put. That's what we call "utility."]
• "Red Rock has the best selection of DDB, both FP & positive, on the nicest machines (all slant tops and new) in Vegas. Orleans is my second choice for all FP DDB. As you can guess, I only play DDB."
• "My vote is for the Fremont. Big variety of machines, plus outstanding and super-friendly employees makes it even more pleasant."
• "Tuscany, for nickel poker."
• Red Rock! Only place I ever won on video poker."
• "I've given up trying to find reasonable VP pay tables in Las Vegas. As I travel up and down I-15, I often stop in at Mesquite, where the Eureka casino has a large selection of full pay machines, even at the bar, where normally you wouldn't expect to find full pay. The nearby Virgin River casino also has a small section of full pay machines."
• "I see that Four Queens is not on the list at all. I like it for the $0.25 10/7 DB VP progressives and the 9/6 Jacks or Better with .31% cashback, plus comps, and for which players with the ACG coupon can get 2X points (up to 500 points) per year.
• "Tuscany - we have had good luck there."
• "Overall, I think Main Street Station has the best video poker.'
• "I really don't think any casino has good video poker returns. It is more like a smoke and mirrors illusion.
• "Four Queens. I’m not sure this poll will be appreciated by VP Aps. Don’t think most will want any more competition. Should be interesting, though."
• "Cal club - best slot returns and great players comps."
• "Four Queens has full pay Double Bonus with a progressive on the Royal. Best I've seen."
• "Main Street Station. It is unfortunate that they have chosen to sorta crap all over the LVA, but the VP is still very good." [Ed: No comment now... But we will!]
• "I voted "Other" because, for my money, I like 4 Queens the best. I know it doesn't have all the best games in town, but they do have a large bank of 10/7 Double Bonus machines that are rarely filled. They have good cocktail service, a great location, the slot club gives me a good amount of comps, and most of all, I've had great luck there." [Ed: And who could ask for anything more?!]
• "How could you overlook Main Street Station with their many full-pay machines and Score with Four promotion?"
• "The California downtown has the best payback that I've seen. There are lots of machines and plenty of people to fill them, so sometimes it's hard to get on one."
• "If you include cashback (and you should), and are willing to play at the one-dollar level, the best video poker return is at the Four Queens."
• "How could you not put Red Rock on the list!  They have tremendous pay tables. Furthermore, the largest video poker inventory I have ever seen."