VEGA5Las Vegas, Nevada

Las Vegas · Casinos & Games

Know the Floor

Which casino to choose, which games offer the best odds, and what to say when you sit down for the first time.

Casino Guide · By Vibe & Budget

Bellagio

Mid-Strip

Classic High Roller · $25–$50 tables

Best for: Poker & Baccarat

The Bellagio poker room is among the world's most respected — serious players, well-run tournaments, and a room that commands its reputation. Baccarat high-limit areas are equally prestigious.

Skip if: You want $5 or $10 blackjack. It doesn't exist here.

Aria

Mid-Strip

Modern & Serious · $25 tables

Best for: Poker Room

The Aria poker room hosts WSOP Circuit events and attracts strong regular players. The main casino floor is clean, well-maintained, and runs fair games with contemporary slot banks.

Skip if: You want a festive, high-energy session — the floor can feel clinical.

The Venetian

Mid-Strip

Mid-Range, Welcoming · $15–$25 tables

Best for: Blackjack

One of the better spots for decent table minimums in a luxury setting. The casino is vast enough that lower-minimum tables exist if you look. Good mix of game variety and atmosphere.

Skip if: You dislike walking — the sheer size means real distance between games.

Paris Las Vegas

Mid-Strip

Relaxed, Tourist-Friendly · $10–$15 tables

Best for: Craps

A genuine mid-range casino with lower minimums than its Strip neighbors. Good for beginners learning the floor — the craps tables stay accessible, and the crowd is forgiving.

Skip if: You're expecting Wynn-level polish. This is charm, not luxury.

El Cortez

Downtown

Downtown, Old School · $3–$5 tables

Best for: Video Poker

The best video poker odds in Nevada. El Cortez still runs full-pay machines with positive expected value for optimal-strategy players — a genuine anomaly on the Las Vegas casino landscape.

Skip if: You want Strip proximity. Downtown is a rideshare or Fremont Street Experience detour.

Golden Nugget

Downtown

Downtown Luxury · $10 tables

Best for: All-Round Downtown Play

The flagship of Downtown combines reasonable minimums with a surprisingly elegant environment. The pool has a shark tank. The restaurant is excellent. A full casino with local regulars and tourist energy.

Skip if: You need the full spectrum of Strip table game variety — selection is tighter here.

Game Guides · Odds & How to Play

Every game on the floor is beatable differently. Here's the honest breakdown of house edge, skill level, and the rules worth knowing before you sit down.

Blackjack

+

The best odds of any table game when played with basic strategy. Find a table that pays 3:2 on a natural blackjack — 6:5 tables significantly increase the house edge and should be avoided.

House edge: 0.5% with basic strategy

  • —Always split Aces and 8s — no exceptions
  • —Never split 5s or 10s
  • —Double down on 11 against a dealer's 2 through 10
  • —Basic strategy is a printable card — casinos allow it at the table, use it
  • —Stand on soft 17 or higher; the dealer must hit soft 17 at most tables

Craps

+

The most social game on the floor. When a table runs hot, the crowd energy is unlike anything else in the casino. The pass line and free odds bets offer the lowest combined house edge of any casino game.

House edge: 1.41% (pass line) · 0% on odds bets

  • —Stick to Pass/Don't Pass and Come/Don't Come bets as a beginner
  • —Always take maximum free odds behind your pass line bet
  • —Avoid proposition bets in the center of the table — house edge exceeds 10%
  • —Watch a few rolls before joining — the rhythm becomes obvious quickly
  • —Dealers welcome beginners; don't be embarrassed to ask about the bets

Video Poker

+

Full-pay Jacks or Better and Deuces Wild machines return over 99% with correct basic strategy. The solitary nature makes it ideal for beginners who want to learn without social pressure.

House edge: Under 0.5% on full-pay machines with optimal play

  • —Find 9/6 Jacks or Better machines — the pay table is visible on screen
  • —Always hold a Royal Flush draw over a made flush
  • —Never break a full house chasing a Royal Flush
  • —Download a strategy chart app before your trip — it's legal to use at the machine
  • —El Cortez Downtown has the best full-pay machine selection in the city

Roulette

+

The simplest game on the floor — pure chance. American roulette wheels have two green pockets (0 and 00). Always find a single-zero European wheel if available; the house edge is almost halved.

House edge: 2.7% European · 5.26% American

  • —Always seek out European (single zero) wheels — they exist on the Strip if you look
  • —Stick to even-money bets (red/black, odd/even) for session longevity
  • —Inside bets (specific numbers) pay much more but drain bankrolls faster
  • —No betting system changes the underlying math — the house always has its edge
  • —Some Strip casinos offer French roulette with the 'La Partage' rule, halving the edge further

Baccarat

+

The Banker bet is one of the best wagers in the casino — lower house edge than most alternatives despite a 5% commission. No skill or strategy required beyond bet selection.

House edge: 1.06% Banker · 1.24% Player

  • —Always bet Banker — the 5% commission still makes it the mathematically superior bet
  • —Never bet Tie — house edge exceeds 14%
  • —No decisions required from players once bets are placed
  • —Low-minimum mini-baccarat tables exist on most casino floors
  • —High-limit baccarat rooms cater to the city's biggest gamblers — don't wander in without knowing the minimums

Slots

+

The most accessible game in the casino and the widest variance in house edge. Downtown Vegas and locals' casinos typically pay better return percentages than high-traffic Strip locations.

House edge: 3–15% (varies widely)

  • —Join the Players Club before you spin a single reel — every dollar earns comp points
  • —Higher denomination machines ($1+) typically offer better return percentages
  • —Set a session budget before you sit — slots are the fastest way to lose track
  • —Progressive jackpot slots carry lower base return rates to fund the jackpot pool
  • —Video poker usually offers better expected value than comparable-denomination slots

Golden Rules · For Every Visit

01

Join the Players Club first

Every casino offers a free loyalty card. Slot play, table games, and dining all earn points redeemable for comps. Don't gamble a dollar without one.

02

Set a session budget before you sit

Decide what you're willing to lose before the adrenaline starts. When that number is gone, leave the table. The next session starts fresh tomorrow.

03

Learn basic strategy before the trip

For blackjack and video poker, basic strategy is a printable card that's legal to use at the table. Ten minutes of study materially improves your expected return.