Orleans

The theme at the Orleans is more Disneyland than French Quarter. Still, the locals don’t seem to mind, mostly because the Vegas-style action is very real. Located very close to the Strip (and within a five-minute walk of the Palms), the Orleans is one of the few casinos at which locals and tourists happily mix in every part of the operation. The rooms aren’t especially exciting, but they’re kept in good condition and by no means offensively designed. In any case, it’s hard to grumble at these prices. The 11 restaurants run the casino-dining gamut, including steak and seafood (Canal Street), prime rib (Prime Rib Loft), buffet (French Market), Mexican (Coasta Cantina) and Koji’s Chinese-Japanese fusion—right on down to a TGI Friday’s.

Entertainment comes courtesy of the Orleans Arena, home of hockey’s Wranglers and arena football’s Gladiators; the Century Orleans 18 cinema; and the 70-lane bowling center. You might occasionally find Bourbon Street-style jazz or modern rock in the 999-seat Orleans showroom, though country and nostalgic rock are the norms.

But the gambling is the main draw for locals, with the casino offering lively, low-limit action. The poker room is one of the best in town, with ""bad-beat jackpots"" (awarded to the player who loses with a very big hand) and regular tournaments. The blackjack is mostly double-deckers that pay 3:2 for naturals.