Gold Strike Casino Resort is an MGM Rewards property in Tunica, Mississippi — about 30 miles south of Memphis, Tennessee. Tunica's casino market has contracted significantly from its peak, but Gold Strike remains the best option for video poker in the area, with MGM Rewards integration and reasonable pay tables.
The Tunica Market Today
Tunica once had nearly a dozen casinos; several have closed over the years as competition from surrounding states increased. Gold Strike is one of the surviving properties, alongside Horseshoe Tunica (Caesars) and a few smaller operations.
The reduced competition has mixed effects for video poker players. Fewer casinos means fewer choices, but the remaining properties maintain competitive offerings to keep their player base from driving to Biloxi (5 hours south) or other markets.
Video Poker at Gold Strike
Gold Strike's gaming floor includes video poker in several areas:
- Jacks or Better and Bonus Poker at quarter and dollar denominations
- Double Bonus and Double Double Bonus variants
- Bar-top video poker with standard pay tables
- High-limit electronic gaming area
The high-limit area at $1+ denomination is your best bet for competitive pay tables. 9/6 Jacks or Better is available here, which is the standard target for advantage-minded players.
Main floor pay tables are decent — 8/5 Bonus Poker is common at quarter denomination, which at 99.17% return is playable.
MGM Rewards Value
Gold Strike's main strategic advantage is MGM Rewards integration. Your Tunica play contributes to the same tier status and point balance used at:
- Bellagio, MGM Grand, and other Las Vegas MGM properties
- Beau Rivage (Biloxi)
- Borgata (Atlantic City)
- MGM National Harbor, MGM Springfield, etc.
For Memphis-area players who also travel to Las Vegas or Biloxi, Gold Strike sessions are an efficient way to maintain or build MGM Rewards status. The play volume required for meaningful rewards is lower than at Las Vegas properties, because Tunica's lower cost of living translates to lower play thresholds for room and dining comps.
Is Gold Strike Worth the Trip?
From Memphis: Absolutely. It's the closest casino to Memphis, and the 30-minute drive makes it practical for regular sessions. The combination of decent pay tables and MGM Rewards makes it the best video poker option in the Memphis metro.
From farther away: More debatable. If you're driving 3+ hours, Biloxi offers more casino choices, better pay tables, and a more complete resort experience (Beau Rivage). Gold Strike is best as a local/regional option rather than a destination.
Mississippi tax advantage: Like all Mississippi casinos, Gold Strike benefits from Mississippi's lack of state income tax on gambling winnings.
Tips
Check Horseshoe Tunica too. Horseshoe (Caesars Rewards) is the other major property in Tunica. Compare pay tables and promotions between the two before committing to a session. Maintaining accounts at both gives you MGM and Caesars network reach from a single market.
Play during promotions. Tunica's remaining casinos run frequent multiplier events and free play offers to maintain their player base. Check the MGM Rewards app before visiting.