Most Las Vegas casinos are operated by large corporations with multiple properties. While the outsides may be different, the casino floors tend to be nearly identical when under the same company. The casinos listed below are independent of the large gaming companies and offer players a unique gaming experience.
Total Access Club and Vegas Advantage Super Fan members had access to this article before publication. You too can gain early access to Vegas Advantage articles and more through Patreon for as little as $5 per month! Annual subscriptions are now available for a discounted rate.
Vegas Advantage is supported through memberships, sponsors, and advertisements. If you or someone you know has a gambling problem, call 1-800-GAMBLER.
Unique Las Vegas Strip casinos
Wynn, Encore, Circus Circus, Treasure Island, and Strat offer the most unique gaming experiences on the Las Vegas Strip. Here are the reasons why I feel that way.
Wynn and Encore
In my opinion, Wynn and Encore are the most unique Las Vegas Strip casinos. Each is operated by Wynn Resorts. The two casinos have the same address and are connected by a shopping corridor.
On the casino floor, Wynn and Encore are the only two properties on the Strip with Blackjack Switch. Wynn is the only Las Vegas casino with two Casino War tables.
Encore was the last Las Vegas Strip casino to add triple zero roulette. It seems to open that table only after all the double-zero ones. Wynn and Encore have 17/7/5 Joker Poker, which is one of the best Las Vegas Strip video poker pay tables at the $0.25 and $0.50 denominations.
The service at Wynn and Encore is second to none. It is always a luxury experience.
Circus Circus
Circus Circus is another world away from Wynn and Encore in terms of luxury, it is unique in its own way. It is the only Las Vegas Strip casino with two Roll to Win Craps games. It is also the only one with Double Exposure Blackjack.
Circus Circus is the only Las Vegas Strip casino with coin slots. There are $0.25, $1, and $5 reels.
The amusement park and midway are unique to Circus Circus. This includes the Adventuredome. Players can get comps for these amenities.
Treasure Island
Phil Ruffin owns both Circus Circus and Treasure Island. This casino is the only one on the Las Vegas Strip that offers $10 3/2 blackjack. It is also the only one with 3/2 $15 double-deck blackjack.
The Strip’s only 3/2 stadium blackjack is at Treasure Island. It is $1 during the week and $3 on weekends. The stadium machine has the only video Three Card Poker in Las Vegas. It has a $2 minimum bet.
The high-limit salon starts at $50. In this room, players will find the only $50 double-deck blackjack that stands on soft 17 and the only $50 European Roulette in Las Vegas.
The Strat
The Strat has a few unique features. It is one of just two Las Vegas Strip casinos with $15 3/2 blackjack. You may even find it for $10 during the slowest hours.
Strat is the only Las Vegas casino with more crapless craps tables than traditional ones. It is usually the only casino to open crapless craps first. At 10 times odds, Strat offers the highest crapless craps odds in Las Vegas.
The tower at Strat also makes it unique. This includes the three amusement rides and SkyJump. Active casino players can easily get comps to the tower and rides, excluding SkyJump.
Unique Downtown Las Vegas Casinos
There are four downtown casinos that stand out to me in the pack of 12. Those are Circa, El Cortez, Golden Nugget, and Plaza.
Circa
Circa stands out for having the world’s largest sportsbook. Video poker is available on two levels of rails. It also has a massive pool area with sports viewing and table games. Its high-limit salon has the only blackjack game in downtown Las Vegas that stands on soft 17.
El Cortez
There are several unique features on the El Cortez casino floor. It is home to the only 3/2 single-deck blackjack in Las Vegas. At $10, its baccarat has the lowest minimum bet in downtown Las Vegas. It has more coin video poker games than any other Las Vegas casino.
Golden Nugget
Golden Nugget has the largest selection of $5 table games in Las Vegas. This includes Lucky Cat Blackjack, Crazy 4 Poker, Let It Ride, Mississippi Stud, Three Card Poker, and Ultimate Texas Hold’em. Note that the Lucky Cat Blackjack game requires a $2 side bet, making it the worst blackjack game in Las Vegas at the minimum bet.
Golden Nugget has the last Fortune Pai Gow Poker table in downtown Las Vegas. It also has the last live poker room in the area.
While not related to gaming, Golden Nugget has the largest restaurant selection of any downtown casino. It has more high-end restaurants than all other downtown Las Vegas casinos combined. Comps are easily earned to these venues.
Plaza
Plaza has several unique gaming options. It has the only nonsmoking bar in Las Vegas with 99% and better video poker. That is at Sand Dollar Lounge. It just opened an outdoor video poker bar and a nonsmoking BC Slots area.
The full-pay Joker Poker at Plaza is the best video poker game in Las Vegas. It is the last casino with full-pay Deuces Joker Wild. The only bingo room in downtown Las Vegas is at Plaza.
Most Liberal 21, which plays like Super Fun 21, is only found at Plaza. It also has the only single zero roulette table in downtown Las Vegas that doubles as having the lowest minimum bet for the game in the entire market. Plaza is the only casino with 235 Stud.
Unique Las Vegas locals casinos
Most Las Vegas locals casinos are part of large gaming companies. There are a few independent ones that offer unusual features.
South Point
South Point stands out among all Las Vegas locals casinos. It offers the best overall bar video poker. Its players club has the highest return in the locals market for video poker points. It also has $5 3/2 blackjack nearly 24/7.
Skyline
Skyline is the only Las Vegas locals casino with coin video poker and slot machines. It also has the last 2/4 fixed limit hold’em game in Las Vegas. The classic shrimp cocktail is still $3.45.
Emerald Island and Rainbow Club
Emerald Island and Rainbow Club are in downtown Henderson. These casinos have the same owner. Both offer some of the best video poker in the entire Las Vegas gaming market. This includes 10/6 Double Double Bonus Poker (99.96% version) and 16/10 Deuces Wild on Triple Play, Five Play, and Ten Play. The denominations are $0.01, $0.02, and $0.05. Up to 30 coins may be wagered per line.
Emerald Island and Rainbow Club don’t offer free play mailers. However, there are endless promotions. Active players can eat every meal for free each day.
