10 Best Readers' Choice Awards

I was asked to be one of the "experts" to submit choices for USA Today's 10 Best Readers' Choice Awards. I put in a suggestion for all the Vegas and gambling related polls.

For Best Las Vegas Casino and best Player Reward Program I submitted the South Point. I strongly feel they offer the best value for the money. A downside is the location is close to nothing.

For Best Casino Outside Las Vegas I chose Cactus Pete's. This was a tough one. For years I would have said the Venato in Panama City, but Panama instituted a tax on cashing in chips and I have an unofficial word as of very recently they closed down. It isn't that Cactus Pete's is amazing, but I just couldn't think of anywhere better. Cactus Pete's is a quirky friendly place that I would recommend to anyone going through Jackpot, not that there is much else to choose from.

For best casino restaurant I think I picked the Triple 7 Brew Pub, where we have had many WoV gatherings. It's certainly the most affordable place on the list. I must admit that Hugo's Cellar and the Top of the World are good too.

I wonder if I was allowed to pick more that one thing per category. I'm one of only three "experts," but they have about a dozen choices for each category.

If you're going to vote the contest, of course, vote your heart, but I do submit for your consideration you consider the more affordable options that I submitted to them.

The question for the poll is which is your favorite Vegas casino?

Quote: Wizard

The question for the poll is which is your favorite Vegas casino?

Things can change quickly, more quickly than I get out to Vegas. But based on the past umpteen trips I have taken, my favorite is...........



Close to the Strip.

Good drink service.

Good daily deals in the Slot Club.

Great pricing at the buffet.

Great value at the buffet.

And if VPFREE2 is still up-to-date, best in class Deuces Wild.

Movie Theatre.

Mango Smoothies.

HEY, my choice isn't in the voting list ? What the heck ? Who do I lash out to about that ? OnceDear, I assume (?).

Also, the poll list is NOT alphabacized alphabetcized alphabetized put in order starting with A and ending with Z ! What the heck are you doing, OnceDear ?.

I don't really have a favorite casino. But hard rock is nice. Hot people. Good food. Cool decor. Close to stuff.

Out of Vegas casino is even harder. The Aviation club was the GOAT but its closed. Pachanga is nice, I guess though the rip you off at every turn.

I think you made a poor choice on restaurants. I've learned that this is a bit unusual, but I like to have something special when I travel, not the same stuff I can get at home.

That pub is fine but totally generic. I realize though that many many people just want their hamburger or chicken strips.

I'd go with Culinary Dropout. It is pretty affordable and they have creative and delicious dishes you cannot get back in Cousinhump, Alabama.

If extremely budget conscious maybe the BBQ at Ellis. A little less novel. But a crazy bargain and not everyone has good BBQ regularly. Craft beer. World's best root beer. Not a great choice for people from BBQ meccas tho.

If you want to splurge a little, Raos at cp. It doesn't cost anymore than a comparable place off the strip. Many of the dishes are uncommon. Food is great. Service is great. A cool and memorable decor.

From the list given, I chose Bellagio, although I have never spent/wagered a dime there! Love the fountains and the Conservatory, though!

I have never made it down to South Point, but it's on the to-do list for my next trip. This may sound crazy, but I'd have to say my favorite LV casino (though I have only been there twice) is Jokers Wild in Henderson. I'm probably also letting the fact that I hit my only RF in Vegas there influence my decision :), but I like the smaller, out-of-the-way joints. I have found JW to have relaxed and friendly vibe. Granted, the only times I have been there have been in the mornings, when they are not very busy.

But, you just can't beat $1 craps ($2 on the weekends). Where else can you place the 9 for $2.50? And their $2.49 breakfast deal is an excellent value.

Agreed with South Point for best casino. By best casino I'm assuming for ploppies and people who don't AP for a living. South Point is pretty much on point with generous cashback, high returns on VP (slots I'm not sure but I'm assuming high returns). Very easy points system ($1 coin in - 1 point, 1000 points = $3), their sportsbook is 24/7 which is a HUGE advantage if you frequently bet there, or need to take money out or put money in. Their promotions are easy to understand, and double point days are actually worth something in terms of +EV.

Their restaurants are pretty affordable, and run from low end to high end dining. Micheals is one of my favorite restaurants to go during December when they run the 2x points redemption.

Overall the place is run very well. I don't know how profitable this place is but I don't understand why more casinos aren't run like South Point.

I’m curious about people’s criteria for judging “best casino”. Personally, I don’t consider the decor, clientele, parking, or other non-gambling related factors but others may consider those aspects more important than the fact that 3:2 is not offered, or that their roulette wheel has three green spaces.

Were the “D” and GN the only Downtown options? As for nonLV casino’s, did any Asian joints come to mind?

I've never really been a ploppy to a significant degree. Before I got a job at a casino I thought betting $25 a hand at blackjack was insane degeneracy.

So from that perspective odds are not very important. If I was still a rec who visited Vegas once in a while my gaming budget would be less than $100. I wanna stay at a cool place with hot girls close to other stuff and great food.

Even if you gamble bigger I'd say the main issue is comps. You're flushing your money down the toilet. I'd rather get a steak out of it than it taking 8 minutes longer.

To my eaier point here is Avacado toast with salmon at culinary drop out.

This is something you can post on Facebook and will remember for a while. $15.

Culinary dropout is for people who open a bag of potato chips and only eat 5 chips then put it away. I ordered some food there once and got like a kid's serving for $35.