Video Poker in Downtown Las Vegas
By Donald Catlin

I was recently in Las Vegas to attend Frank's World Craps Championship. This was a very successful event and you can read about it in Frank's July 31st article on this web site. I'll have some observations on it in a future article. Anyway, after the event I stayed in downtown Las Vegas for a few extra days and spent some of my time poking around trying to find decent Video Poker. Is there any? The short answer is not very much. Here is what I did find.

I only looked at the casinos along the main part of Fremont street so I know nothing about California, Gold Spike, or El Cortez. I couldn't find any full pay Deuces Wild at any casino. I also could not find any full pay machines at Fitzgerald's, Binion's, or the Golden Gate. That said, here is what I did find.

Plaza - There are four $1 9/6 Jacks games on Game King machines located directly in front of the Blackjack Pit.

Las Vegas Club - There are two $1 10/7 Double Bonus games here. One is located in the rear of the casino at the end of a bank of machines near the coin cage. The other is located in the third bank of machines as you enter the southwest door and walk north.

Four Queens - There is a bank of 25 cent 10/7 double bonus machines on the south wall of the casino toward the west side. These have been there for some time.

Golden Nugget - There is a bank of $1 Triple Play 9/6 Jacks on the walkway to the South Tower. If you can afford $15 a shot this is a great game.

Fremont - There are two 9/6 Jacks on the west side of the casino. Look for the phrase "Player's Edge" on the front of the machine.

There may be more good machines than reported here but I sure couldn't find them. See you next month.