The casinos located along Boulder Highway are often called the Boulder Strip. This is the area between downtown Las Vegas and Henderson. It was the main route from Arizona before the completion of the US 95 highway that runs parallel to Boulder Highway.
The Boulder Strip offers low limits and quality video poker. Most of the player clubs are generous. Players earn comps and cash back faster when compared to Las Vegas Strip casinos. Part of the reason for this is the competition in an area that does not draw many tourists. There are only so many local gamblers in the area.
Las Vegas guests may want to consider staying on the Boulder Strip. That is because the gambling is better, as well as the hotel rates and dining prices. It is a good way to visit Las Vegas without having to spend a lot of money doing so. Many casinos run shuttles to the Las Vegas Strip and downtown from Boulder Highway. Safety can be a concern at night. It is never a good idea to walk between these casinos. We recommend taking a cab or shuttle.
Boulder Station
Boulder Station is located near U.S. 95 and Boulder Highway. It is owned by Station Casinos. The Boarding Pass players club is used at Boulder Station. This gives players 0.3% in cash back, free play or comps when playing slots or video poker.
Boulder Station is home to the best video poker in Las Vegas. Players will find full pay Deuces Wild and Joker Poker in $.05, $.10 and $.25 denominations. Double Bonus, Double Double Bonus and Loose Deuces are spread in $.05, $.10, $.25, $.50 and $1 denominations.
Boulder Station has a large table game selection that is comparable to the Las Vegas Strip. This includes 19 blackjack tables. Players will find $3 blackjack dealt out of a continuous shuffle machine that pays 6-5. This is even money for 3 and $4 bets. Most of the other tables are $5 double deck blackjack games where players may double before and after splitting. There are a few $5 6-5 single deck games.
Craps and roulette are available with a $5 minimum. All roulette wheels at Boulder Station have two zeros. Craps is 10 times odds where the Field pays double on 12. Other table games include Three Card Poker, Ultimate Texas Hold’em and EZ Pai Gow Poker, a commission-free version.
Arizona Charlie’s
Arizona Charlie’s is located just south of Boulder Station. It is owned by Aces Entertainment, the same company that owns Stratosphere. The AcePlay card is used for comps and slot points.
There are three types of blackjack at Arizona Charlie’s. There is a $3 shoe game where players may surrender, re-split aces and double down before and after splitting. The double deck game permits double down before and after splitting, as well as re-split aces. There is also a single deck game where double down is only allowed on 10 and 11. The minimum bet is $5 at the single and double deck games. The dealer hits soft 17 at all blackjack games at Arizona Charlie’s.
The video poker at Arizona Charlie’s Boulder is some of the worst on the block. The best game is 15/9 Deuces Wild, which returns just under 99%.
Sam’s Town Casino
Sam’s Town is located at the corner of Nellis and Boulder Highway. It is owned by Boyd Gaming and uses the BConnected players card.
The blackjack at Sam’s Town is the worst on Boulder Highway. Players may not double down after splitting at any of the traditional tables. This is only available at the Super Fun 21 games. There are $5 six-deck shoes and $10 double deck tables.
Craps offers 20 times odds. The Field bet pays triple on 12. Roulette tables have two zeros.
There are four video poker games that return more than 100% at Sam’s Town. They are full-pay Deuces Wild, Double Bonus, Double Double Bonus and Loose Deuces.
Sam’s Town offers a live keno lounge and poker room. The poker room spreads low limit cash games and tournaments. This includes a weekly $1-$5 Seven Card Stud game. It is the only one of its kind left in Las Vegas. There is also spread limit Texas Hold’em and fixed limit Omaha High/Low.
Eastside Cannery
Eastside Cannery is located on the far south end of Boulder Highway before it goes into Henderson. It was recently acquired by Boyd Gaming. It will use the BConnected players card once that acquisition is finalized. Eastside Cannery is the newest casino in the area. It replaced Nevada Palace in 2008.
There are four blackjack games at Eastside Cannery. There are single deck versions of standard blackjack and Super Fun 21. There are also double deck and six-deck games where players may double down before and after splitting. The minimum bet for all blackjack tables is $5.
Craps is offered with 10 times odds at Eastside Cannery. The Field pays triple on 12. Roulette is spread with two zeros. There is also Commission-Free Pai Gow Poker. Like the blackjack games, each of these has a $5 minimum bet.
The video poker at Eastside Cannery is great, although not quite as friendly as Boulder Station and Skyline Casino, both located a short distance away. Full-pay Double Bonus is spread. There is 9/6 Jacks or better that returns 90 coins on a straight flush. That puts the payout right at 100%. There is also 100% 10/6 Double Double Bonus where the straight flush is cut to 40 coins for each one bet.
