The Best Casinos to Gamble and Win in the Las Vegas Strip

Tips for Gambling on the Las Vegas Strip

The gambling on the Las Vegas Strip keeps declining. There are more triple zero roulette wheels than ever before.

Video poker paytables are mostly unplayable except at the highest limits, and most of the blackjack in the puts pays 6/5.

Considering all the above, here are some things we recommend if you gamble in Las Vegas:

• Join the Casino’s Players Club

  Get the most for your play by joining the casino’s players club. This tracks your play and pays slot points that may be used for comps and free play.
  
  It may also qualify you for comps like free food and hotel rooms. This can help offset some of the bad odds.

• Look for 3/2 Over 6/5 Blackjack

  Most Las Vegas Strip blackjack pays 6/5 today. However, savvy players know you don’t have to settle for bad games.
  
  The Strat and Treasure Island deal 3/2 blackjack under $25. It can be as low as $10 at The Strat. Most MGM Resorts casinos have $25 3/2 blackjack, including Excalibur, Mandalay Bay, New York-New York, and Park MGM.

• Skip Video Poker Unless You Play High-limits

  With only a few exceptions, Las Vegas Strip video poker under the $5 denomination holds two to five percent. There is no reason to give action to bad paytables when casinos like Gold Coast, Orleans, Palace Station, and South Point are nearby.
  
  Downtown video poker is also far superior to the Strip. If you play $5 or higher, check out the high-limit slots room at Caesars Palace where 9/6 Jacks or Better and 9/7 Triple Double Bonus are available.

• Watch Roulette Zeros

  Over one-third of Las Vegas Strip roulette wheels are now triple zero. Those tables have a 7.69% house edge. Double zero tables hold 5.26% on all bets, except the basket, which is 7.89%. Single zero roulette only has a 2.7% house edge.
  
  European Roulette also holds 2.7%, except the even money bets drop to 1.35% because half is returned when the pill lands in the zero pocket.
  
  You must not break the bank to play Las Vegas single zero roulette. It starts at $15 at Plaza and $25 at The Strat. That is the same as many triple zero tables on the Strip.

• Avoid ATMs

  Take your money out of your bank at home before heading to Las Vegas. There are multiple reasons for this. It is easy to go on tilt and run to the ATM to chase losses. This can lead to massive losses that can bust your budget.
  
  Most Las Vegas ATMs charge $8 to $12 per transaction in addition to whatever the issuing bank charges in fees. That is too much to pay to get your money. Plan ahead, stick to a daily budget, and leave your ATM card at home.

• Take Max Craps Odds

  Craps odds are the best bet in the casino. There is no house advantage.
  
  You increase your chances of winning by lowering your Pass Line and Don’t Pass as well as Come and Don’t Come bets to leave enough chips to take max odds behind them when chips move to a number.
  
  If you play the Field, avoid most Caesars casinos, as 12 only pays double. All MGM Resorts casinos and most others pay triple on a field 12.
  

• Play Craps Over Crapless Craps

  Crapless craps is dealt by over half of Las Vegas Strip casinos. Some, like the Strat and Luxor, often open crapless craps tables before traditional ones.
  
  These tables have no don’t bets. The shooter cannot lose on the come out roll. A 7 wins on the Pass Line and Come.
  
  All other numbers, including the 2, 3, 11, and 12, become the point. The Pass Line and Come have a 5.38% house edge at crapless craps. In traditional craps, the Pass Line holds 1.41%.