Atlantic City's casinos are split between two areas: the historic Boardwalk (facing the ocean) and the Marina District (on the bay side). For video poker players, the two districts offer different experiences, different operators, and sometimes different pay table strategies.
The Boardwalk Properties
The Boardwalk is Atlantic City's original casino corridor. Properties include:
- Caesars Atlantic City (Caesars Rewards) — Large video poker floor with standard variants. The high-limit area offers better pay tables at $1+.
- Tropicana (Caesars Rewards) — Solid video poker section in a more casual environment. Good bar-top options.
- Hard Rock Atlantic City — Converted from the old Trump Taj Mahal. Modern gaming floor with decent video poker variety.
- Ocean Casino Resort — The newest Boardwalk property with a large, updated gaming floor.
- Resorts Casino — Smaller and older, but sometimes offers competitive promotions to attract players.
The Boardwalk's advantage: walkability. You can check pay tables at multiple casinos on foot, moving between properties in 10-15 minutes. This makes it easy to compare and play wherever the best value is.
The Marina District
The Marina is a short drive or jitney ride from the Boardwalk:
- Borgata (MGM Rewards) — Atlantic City's premier casino. The video poker floor is the best in the city, with competitive pay tables in the high-limit room and a wide selection of variants. Borgata consistently draws the most serious video poker players in AC.
- Hard Rock Hotel & Casino (formerly Golden Nugget side) — Nearby the marina area, another modern option.
Borgata's advantage is quality — it's the best single property in Atlantic City for video poker. The MGM Rewards integration makes it valuable for players who also play at MGM properties in Las Vegas.
Pay Table Comparison
Atlantic City's video poker pay tables are generally better than Pennsylvania's (which has much higher gaming taxes) but worse than Las Vegas locals casinos.
| Property | Best JoB Pay Table | Where | Network |
|---|---|---|---|
| Borgata | 9/6 (high-limit) | Marina | MGM Rewards |
| Caesars AC | 9/6 (high-limit) | Boardwalk | Caesars Rewards |
| Tropicana | 8/6 (floor) | Boardwalk | Caesars Rewards |
| Hard Rock | 8/5 BP (floor) | Boardwalk | Unity Rewards |
| Ocean | 8/5 (floor) | Boardwalk | Ocean Rewards |
The high-limit rooms at Borgata and Caesars are where you'll find 9/6 Jacks or Better. Main floors across the city are typically 8/5 Bonus Poker or 8/6 Jacks or Better.
Which District to Choose
Choose the Boardwalk if: You want multiple casino options within walking distance. The ability to compare three or four properties in an afternoon is valuable for finding the best current promotions and pay tables.
Choose the Marina (Borgata) if: You want the single best video poker property in Atlantic City. Borgata's combination of pay tables, service, hotel quality, and MGM Rewards integration is unmatched in AC.
Do both: Atlantic City is small enough that you can easily visit both districts during a weekend trip. Use Borgata as your primary play property and walk the Boardwalk to compare alternatives.
Tips for AC Video Poker
New Jersey has no state income tax on gambling winnings. Unlike Pennsylvania, your video poker winnings in New Jersey are not taxed at the state level (federal taxes still apply). This is a meaningful advantage for players who live in the Philadelphia area and can choose between PA casinos and Atlantic City.
Room rates vary dramatically. Weekday rooms at AC casinos are often very affordable (sometimes under $50). Weekend rates can be 3-4x higher. For maximum video poker value, play midweek when rooms are cheap and promotions are often better.
Check for Caesars Rewards offers. With three Caesars properties on the Boardwalk (Caesars, Tropicana, Harrah's Resort), the Caesars Rewards network has strong presence in AC. Multiplier events at these properties can add meaningful return.