Visitreno

[organgecrush]

Not much new to report since I ate at restaurants I have reviewed previously.

Arrived in Reno Thursday night at 11:00 p.m, 2-8. I had offers from El Dorado Properties for comped rooms, but had to pay tax and resort fees. $21 a night. Not truly comped, but pretty good deal for weekend.

I chose Silver Legacy. I stayed in El Dorado in 2016, and Circus Circus last fall; so I wanted to try SL. My room was their base room, I forget their terminology. It was clean, but quite dated. And quite a bit smaller than my room at Circus Circus last fall. I could tell my Circus room had been recently updated, paint, carpet, fixtures, plumbing. Using that as a base line, my SL room was quite disappointing. And I realize that there are over 1500 rooms at SL, and it takes time to get them remodeled. And I do appreciate the room. It was clean, and comfortable. Just no wow.
When I landed, I hurried to try and catch a shuttle but just missed it, so I had to wait 30 minutes. In that time, Grand Sierra had 3 shuttles come. Although one of them was for air plane crews. But something to consider.

Arrived at hotel at 11:40, checked in and hit blackjack tables in SL. To my extreme disappointment, there was only 1 3:2 blackjack table. All the rest were 6:5. Last fall SL had 4 3:2 tables. Very disappointing. I ended up doing most of my BJ at Circus Circus. Didnt get crushed, but didn't get much ahead. Went to bed at 4:00 am.

Friday, I wanted to explore a property away from Downtown. It was gorgeous weather, about 65 degrees. I decided I wanted In N Out. So I walked from SL to Nuggett in Sparks. Over 3 miles, about an hour to walk it. In N Out was very good. Tried fries animal style, and wan't impressed. Sometimes your can't improve something so simple, french fries.
After lunch, I hit the Nugget. I was very impressed with the property. I stayed there 3 nights in 2012, and found it dated and not much energy. Knowing the property had changed hands, I was anxious to check it out. A black jack dealer told me the new owner owns casinos in Laughlin, made his money in construction, and was worth $4 billion. He is committed to improving the property, casino, restaurants, and hotel rooms. He also said the Ascuoga family were assholes and neglected the property. But I would recommend people to check it out. For a friday afternoon, it was hopping and had more energy than any of the down town properties.
I took Uber back to SL, was only $12.
Friday afternoon and night was just wandering around down town. Played BlackJack at all 3 El Dorado properties, Cal Neva and Sands. The depressing 6:5 tables at El Dorado properties have kind of forced me to hang more at Sands and Cal Neva, which is fine with me. Had prime rib at Copa room at sands. Good, not outstanding.
Saturday was more blackjack downtown; watch and bet on college basketball. William Hill sports books at Silver Legacy and Circus Circus are great. I still think the Circus sports book is a low traffic gem. Easy to get to betting windows, always good seat to watch. I played a poker tournement at SL, which I enjoyed but didn't win any money. Lunch was at Canters Deli. Which good. But I much prefer Manhattan Deli at Atlantis.
I had a ticket for Dennis Miller at Silver Legacy. Which was quite disappointing. I have not attended a headliner show at SL. I was surprised their headliner room is basically a convention hall, with chairs brought in and bleacher style seating in back. I have seen shows at El Dorado, which has much better and appropriate venue. I can imagine the disapointment of headline acts to perform in a ballroom, especially music acts. Then Dennis Miller put one of the worst efforts I have seen from a headline act.
Before he took the stage, they rolled out a podium. He walks up and says, "I apologize, I have been working on some other projects, and don't have material ready for this show. He spent 60 minutes reading off of 8" x 11" sheets of paper, and checking his watch every 10 minutes. When he hit an hour, he abruptley said good night and walked off.
I have seen SL promoting this show since December, so he should have had plenty of time to have an act. Just a poor effort, and very disrepectfull to an audience. the show looked sold out, so I am guessing around 1,000 in attendance.
Dinner was hidden pizza, very good. Hard to beat it for wanting a quick bite. More black jack at Circus Circus. 6 am, time to go to bed. I had breakfast at SL coffee shop. Very good omlette.
Sunday after waking up, walked around downtown had lunch at SL buffett and used up meal comps.
Pretty basic trip by myself. Good time, left town down a few hundred dollars. But was reinforced in my preference for Reno over Vegas. Much less people, easier comps, much cheaper. And it just feels better.
I do think I will either stay at Nuggett or Grand Sierra next trip. I like the variety of walking to all of the down town properties when I want a change; but I want to stay at one of the larger more complete resorts. Of course, I have no gambling history except for down town properties, so I will be paying my own way somewhere else. But it might be worth it for something different that I may be missing out on.

[IOWActuary]

Excellent TR! Does Silver Legacy still have the 3:2 6D DA#?

[organgecrush]

[spdmrcht]

2 things. DM has always been a A H.
For 2$ seniors can buy a 24 hr. Bus ticket that will
take you any where in Reno, Sparks. as many times
as you want. Glad you had Fun.

[SeahawkSiren]

Thanks for the trip report!

Interesting about your room at SL vs. Circus last year. I had thought all of the rooms at SL were already updated but maybe not. I just received my March mailer from the Eldo/SL/CC properties and it states they are working on room remodels at all 3 properties so we shall see what happens with that.

Yeah, I know the SL shuttle at the airport runs twice an hour, at 15 and 45 minutes each hour. Leaves SL at 00 and 30 minutes each hour.

I love SL sports book. But there are long lines for sure sometimes, especially during football season. Will have to check out the Circus sports book.

Wow, Dennis Miller show sounds like a total dud. Talk about zero effort!

Glad you liked Hidden Pizza. Love that place!

Thanks again for the report! Always nice to hear from another who prefers Reno over Vegas, and for a lot of the same reasons you do. Much less people, way better comps, cheaper, and just the vibe in general. So much more laid back. Reno rocks!

9 more days until my turn in Reno (not that I'm counting)!

[IOWActuary]

[BC Dave]

Glad to hear they're keeping up appearances over at the Sparks Nugget. I think that that BJ dealer there may have been a little harsh in his description of the Ascuaga family. It's a great property and I have always enjoyed my visits there. https://www.cdcgamingreports.com/commentaries/the-nugget-of-john-ascuaga-a-sad-ending-to-a-noble-career/ Sorry to hear that Dennis Miller gave such a poor show - Sounds like he treated it as a contractual obligation and nothing more.

[SeahawkSiren]

[IOWActuary]

[organgecrush]

[organgecrush]

[SeahawkSiren]

I definitely agree about the bathrooms. If any of them have been redone I haven't been in a room where that is the case.

When SL did their last updating from what I've seen it was only cosmetic things like replacing the bedding, carpeting, tv sets, etc. The bathrooms definitely need to be redone. Maybe that will happen on this next round of remodels.

Like you, I am not in the room very much so it is not anything that is bothersome for me. But with all the money these casinos rake in one would think they can afford to redo bathrooms that are 20+ years old.

[organgecrush]