Video Poker Or Slots: Our Anniversary Showdown At The Santa Fe Station Casino Las Vegas!

 

Last night, my wife and I celebrated our wedding anniversary the only way two Las Vegans know how: dinner at one of our favorite spots, then straight to a casino (Santa Fe Station) to donate a little money back to the local economy. She settled into her beloved video poker, and I made a beeline for my old flame, Dragon Link. I hit a sweet $$$$ bonus almost immediately, which meant I spent the rest of the night doing what every married man eventually learns to do: watch my wife play while pretending I’m not itching to chase another bonus!

But here’s the question players always ask: which machine is better for walking away a winner, video poker or slots? Which one delivers more fun, more control, more adrenaline? And are we really just choosing based on our personalities? The strategist versus the dreamer. The math‑mind versus the “let’s see what happens” gambler. The player who wants to grind out an edge versus the one who wants fireworks and a chance at a monster jackpot.

Vegas wants you to believe it’s all random. Players know better. They (we) want answers!

Video Poker: The Thinker’s Game

Video poker is the machine for players who like to feel in the driver’s seat. It rewards patience, discipline, and a little bit of math‑nerd swagger. You make decisions every hand—hold this, dump that, chase the draw, lock in the sure thing. The pay tables are right there in your face, and if you know what you’re looking at, you can actually spot the good machines from the bad ones. That’s why so many grinders swear by it: the volatility is lower, the bankroll lasts longer, and the wins, while not always explosive, come with a sense of earned satisfaction. It’s the closest thing to “skill” you’ll find on a casino floor without sitting at a blackjack table.

Slots: The Pure Entertainment Machine

Slots, on the other hand, are the neon‑lit roller coaster of the casino world. No decisions, no strategy, no math, just pure anticipation and adrenaline. You’re not playing the machine so much as you’re riding it. The bonuses, the sound effects, the mini‑games, the chance at a life‑changing jackpot… It’s all engineered for maximum dopamine. Slots are for the dreamers, the escapists, the players who want to be surprised. They’re also for the folks who don’t want to think, they want to feel. And when a slot hits, it hits with fireworks!

{My Take}

So Why Do I Play What I Play?

Me? I’m a Dragon Link guy. I like the spectacle, the bonus rounds, the hold‑and‑spin drama, the feeling that the next orb might be the one that lights up the whole screen. I know the math isn’t in my favor. I know video poker is the smarter long‑term play. But gambling isn’t always about being smart—it’s about being alive in the moment.

My wife plays video poker because she likes control. I play slots because I like chaos. And honestly, that’s the beauty of a casino floor: every machine matches a personality, even mine!

In the end, both games can treat you right or break your heart. The trick is knowing who you are when you sit down! Video Poker or Slots?

What an awesome way to celebrate!

Gary England

Vegas Survival School: The Comedy of How I Ended Up Teaching Tourists And Gambling Newbie's How Not to Go Broke!

 Years ago—back when the old Hilton Sportsbook still had that “vintage Vegas” aroma of cigar smoke, cheap cologne, and crushed parlay tickets—I ran a YouTube gambling show. Every week I’d sit there predicting sports scores like I had a crystal ball (I didn’t) and interviewing professional bettors who made me look like I was still learning how to shuffle a deck of cards!

Shockingly, the show did well. After a few seasons in, a major U.S. publication hired me to ghostwrite gambling content. That’s right—someone actually said, “Let’s pay this guy to talk about betting.” And I said, “Absolutely, before you change your mind.”

Fast‑forward to early 2024. I wandered back into writing about travel and casinos, mostly because I enjoy casino games a little too much. Slots, table games, poker—you name it, I’ll play it. At this point, I’m basically a gamble‑holic writer who loves the action, the stories, and the occasional miracle win that keeps you believing that the universe might actually like you!

I’d post pictures of my slot machine adventures—some wins, some losses, and a few “don’t ask” moments. My publisher saw the photos and said:

“Gary, it’s time you spilled the real secrets. Tourists need help. Beginners need help. Honestly, the casinos need help too.”

And they weren’t wrong.

After decades in Vegas, I’ve collected more insider tips, pit‑boss wisdom, and “you didn’t hear this from me” stories than any sane person should have. I’ve learned how the games work, how the players think, and how the casinos smile politely while taking your money.

So, I struck a deal with a publisher: I’m writing a weekly—or bi‑weekly if I’m not too busy losing at slot machines, 21, or poker—column called "A Gamble-Holic Writer's Guide To Casino Gambling 101." It’s for beginners, tourists, and anyone who wants to walk into a casino and walk out with at least some of their bankroll still alive.

Because at the end of the day, I’m just a guy who loves casino games, loves writing, and loves helping newbies avoid the classic “I lost my rent money, but the buffet was good” disaster.

If my advice helps you win a few chips—or at least lose them slower—then hey, I’ve taught you a thing or two! Maybe!

{My Take}

At the end of the day, I’m just a casino‑loving, slot‑spinning, card‑slinging gamble‑holic writer trying to help the newbies to gambling, and the rookies in Vegas keep their wallets intact. If I can teach even one tourist not to chase a slot machine like it owes them money or convince one beginner that blackjack isn’t played with “vibes,” then I’ve done my job. Stick with me, and maybe—just maybe—you’ll walk out of the casino with more money than you walked in with. Or at least with a good "should a' would a' could a' been a' win story!

Good Luck!

Gary England

Which Casino Games Can Be Played Professionally: Easy Money You Think?

Besides writing, If you know me. You know that I'm heavy into the gambling scene in Las Vegas.

Over my 26 years living here, I've experienced pretty much every aspect of gambling life, including lessons from pro gamblers and pro poker players. I've covered blackjack, poker, and slot tournaments. I've covered and have played in the World Series of Poker. I've interviewed the top professionals in many of the games that Las Vegas has to offer. And the slot machines in Vegas have been a learning experience for me. 

Over the years, I've written many articles about these games and a blog or two (Or A Hundred) about which games have the best odds of winning and which games someone could actually make a living at playing. 

Today's blog is about which casino games can be played professionally.

Several casino games can be played professionally, meaning skilled players can gain an edge over the house or other players. Enough edge to make a living at playing them.

Here are my top 5 games that you can cash in on if you have the edge.

Poker.

Poker is played against other players, not the house, making it one of the best games for professional play. Skilled players can consistently profit by making mathematically sound decisions, reading opponents, and exploiting weaknesses.

Blackjack (Card Counting)

Using card counting, shuffle tracking, and advantage play techniques, skilled players can gain a small but consistent edge over the casino (usually 0.5%–1.5%). However, casinos actively monitor and ban card counters.

Sports Betting (Arbitrage & Handicapping)

Professional bettors (or "sharps") analyze statistics, betting lines, and trends to find +EV (expected value) bets. Some use arbitrage betting to guarantee profit by wagering on different odds across multiple sportsbooks.

Video Poker (Perfect Strategy & Promotions)

Certain video poker variations, such as "9/6 Jacks or Better," offer over 99% return with perfect strategy. When combined with casino comps and promotions, players can turn a small profit.

Craps (Controlled Shooting – Highly Controversial)

Some claim to have mastered controlled dice shooting (also called dice setting) to influence the outcome slightly. While debated, a few players have profited this way.

Other Games.

Add Baccarat to this list of casino games that it's possible to make a living at. There's really no strategy or skill involved. And with some of the best odds in the casino. Many players make money with this game.

Also, Slot Machines, if you have nerves of steel and a big enough bankroll.

In my opinion. Poker, Blackjack, and Craps rule!

While poker and blackjack are the most viable long-term options, the other games can also be profitable under the right circumstances.

Good Luck!

GE