Visitreno

[salemgambler]

New member and first post so be gentle.
Question......which Reno casino has the best comp program for new signups? Also, which casino can I start racking up points for future rooms, meals, etc.
I have decided to "detour" Vegas and try the origin gambling mecca ( Reno)just because Vegas has "priced me out" By that I mean the airfares are ridiculous ( airlines are ripping us off), room prices on top of "resort fees have pissed me off and lastly.......seems like everything in Vegas is "tight"....if you know what I mean. I've had enough!

[stan_allen]

I think I can speak for the whole board when I say that you will find that you've made the right choice. Reno does have irritating "Resort" fees - no getting away from those - but you'll find the gaming atmosphere in general to be far more of a bargain.

I've never been much of a "comps" man myself, but there are others on our fair board who will gleefully share their insights.

In the meantime, welcome! And enjoy Reno because, while it may be an acquired taste, once you've acquired it, it's the tastiest wine of which ever ye shall imbibe....

[salemgambler]

Thanks Stan. There was a time when I/we use to venture to Reno about 2-4 times a year. That ceased when the flights to Vegas were CHEAPER than to Reno. Go Figure! What followed was a 10-15 yrs. excursion to Vegas simply because the airfares, hotels and everything else in Vegas was a much better deal than Reno. Although I live in the Pacific NW, I am NOT an Indian casino guy. In fact I hate them......wish a referendum abolishing them would happen.
Since I am retired and a senior, the glitz of Vegas does not excite me at all. In fact, we have NOT stayed on the strip in over 10 yrs.
I'm hoping Reno can offer me the fun and VALUE I DESERVE, without the cost.....if you know what I mean.
My wife and I stayed in Reno about 2 yrs ago and although my wife compared Reno to Vegas and did not like Reno, I have since convinced her that her slot dollars will go much further in Reno than Vegas. Hope I'm right.
So for all you Reno lovers......where are the BEST values in Reno?

[JD]

The problem, Salem (joke for Oregonians...that think Salem is THE problem)...is comp levels and policies is a moving goal post... and top secret.

I chalk it up to the propensity of casinos to hire "consultants" that convince the casino bosses their recommendations will make tons of dough. Once the consulting fee check is cashed...some new consultant will swoop in and tell the new boss a whole new story... and all new policies.

I've chased comps...been a high roller at one casino and should have seen the handwriting on the wall when the pit crew's uniforms changed three times in 12 months. The casino folded shortly thereafter....along with a LOT of my points.

Besides the changing policies, the second problem is the lack of transparency of what it takes to get what kind of comps. So now we have tier levels, points and activity. Let's not forget the various duration your points, comps or tier level is good for.

Slots usually accumulate points faster than video poker play ... but I like to sit at the bar to play VP. And I used to be able to drink top shelf fast enough to make up for slow points. But I found a few hundred dollar buy in at a craps table often gets a pit bosses attention and a greater play level than 21 play of the same level. Lots of craps players don't like an empty table....I used to TRY to joke with the boss "If I get your table loaded, can you score a deal on a room for me?" Sometimes it works...lately, not so much.

Another thing that seems to count is the BORING game, Keno. But when a pit boss notices you are such a perv, you need to play TWO games at once... they usually don't want you to leave. Buy a 21 game , $ 1 ticket and the runner will often keep an eye on you. Pit boss will sometimes notice, sometimes not.

Pit bosses have less discretion now than they used to. They have to justify rating a player higher than his play justifies. But most machines now show how fast points rack up. Finding out how many points get a steak dinner is tougher... and so is the steak sometimes.

[salemgambler]

Thanks JD. I'm certainly not a high roller ( in Vegas 2500-3500 gambling money for 5 days) but I've always expected better returns. My wife is the slot player.....I'm the sports/race book better. However, I have gone thru $2K in a 3-5 day jaunt playing the ponies so at least it's something. I travel to Nevada for gaming about 3-4 times a year and I'm hoping this, in and of itself, counts.
I do realize that your gaming dollars go much further in Reno than Vegas and that trend will not dissipate anytime soon. And I have received and still do receive Vegas comps for discounted rooms but somehow I've never ever felt Vegas appreciated my business.
We're planning a trip ( 5 Nights) in early Sept and I like to plan ahead for deals on meals and room rates. Haven't decided where we're staying yet and my decision on rooms will probably happen a few days before we arrive. I've never tried the "Hotel Tonight" android app and I'm anxious to see if it can save me more gambling dollars.
Again....thanks for your info.

[CaSwede]

Welcome Salemgambler. I think I can speak for most of us here. We have all been coming to Reno for a long time, so it has been a long time since we first signed up for a slot club card.

However, I believe that you will find the best offers coming from the downtown casinos such as the El Dorado, Silver Legacy and Circus Circus. These casinos have a lot of rooms to fill and are not part of huge multi casino's groups. I know you will do well at the Sands, but I am not sure you want to stay there.

I was a new sign up at the GSR a couple of years ago and put through more than 10K in one day and got only one mailer for $69 room rates - weekdays only. I have not been back since..... I get nice offers from the Peppermill and Atlantis, but I am an established player. I have heard that the Nugget out in Sparks gives out nice offers to players, but I have no first hand knowledge of that.

Enjoy Reno!!!

[alison]

Well like CaSwede said, most of us here have been playing for awhile so we cant speak for new sign ups.

I personally stay and play at the Peppermill. It is located a couple miles away from the main downtown area. I dont bring as much money as you, but i do cycle a decent amount thru on the slots. They send me every month, a offer for 3 free nights in a Tuscany Suite and $250 in free play. They also send other random offers for tournaments, ect that include lodging. When staying on a room offer, the Peppermill does not charge you the resort fees either. Not sure if the other properties do that or not

Where ever you do go, just make sure to use your players card. Good Luck! I will be headed to the Pep in September. My friend and I are combining our offers. 6 nights comped in a Tuscany Vernda Suite. Can't wait!

[salemgambler]

Thanks again!
I've heard good things about the Peppermill and Atlantis. Perhaps we'll play there on a Sunday/Monday night. We are arriving Labor Day weekend for a week and the rates for that weekend are way more than I'll ever pay for a casino room. The room rates are much more sensible Monday thru Thursday so we have the option of several casinos.

[Kenofool]

Alison, Can I combine rooms with you also wow

[Zydeco]

Welcome!

I'm a low-low-low roller so comps are not high on my list. I am also a 20+ year visitor so those sign-ups were two decades ago. Holy crap, I'm old.

But a good value with more personalized service combined with some good food and a safe sleep speak to me. Reno is the choice for me.

Deals on meals I can speak to! One to note? Napa Bistro Happy Hour at Atlantis.

[spdmrcht]

Like you I gave up LV and the zoo. I started to go to Reno
many yrs ago, and the best comps I found Is Harrahs, only
because we get free rooms in Reno, Tahoe 2 hotels, and
Laughlin with free Flights. There is a lot of nicer hotels, but
I can't afford to score comps at all of them, but I do play
in a lot of different tournaments and go to good shows.
The Sands is a last choice for a stay in Reno, did it once!
GSR is not on my list also. Nugget in sparks is nice, they
have new owners, played there a couple weeks ago but
haven't received any offers yet.

[salemgambler]

Thanks for the advice.
I think we are staying at Harrah's. Since I am a CET total Rewards member, I'm hoping for some perks. I don't expect much but anything helps.

[jerry]

Re a few changes.
Resort fees: When I get a room comp at Pepp, they charge the resort fee, about 20 bucks a day. OTOH, the Eldo does NOT charge this resort fee on a comped room. Don't know who else is this way. I never have to pay the resort fee at Stations or Aliante in LV either on comped rooms.

Re downtown. Mostly owned by Eldo now. Eldo took in a partner and they are soon taking over the other two mentioned (Silver Leg and Circus). This will give the new Eldo owners 5 times as many rooms as before. Don't know how this will help but I will say this"":
Since new owners, the machines give virtually NO play. At Eldo, you can choose your rewards program. I choose "more comps" and the food comps build up pretty fast for my limited play. Maybe get 2 nights comped every other month.
However, they take away all your comps about every 6 months, I think. At the outside, you lose them 12 months after the DATE earned. Whatever, I always lose comps yearly if I don't get there often (which I don't).

Atlantis seems to keep cutting everything. I think a "pint" at the Sports Bar is now 10 oz. I went to AZ for 5 months and they took away my slot card. I haven't been in there since.

So, what I am saying I guess is that they ALL really cater to locals at the expense of we travelers. Points at the Pep- are a mystery and EXTREMELY hard to amass.

Windy report: I'm outta heah>>>

[jerry]

Drinks are liberal at the Pep. Not bad at Eldo. They suck at Sands and GSR, as well as Atlantis. In all cases, you need to go get the drinks at the bar as Reno does generally not have many cocktail waitresses.
Even happy hour at Pep now sucks. This used to be a Reno Board meeting place. Last time John and I had to SPLIT the tiny horse ovary plate. (sorry I didn't want to figger out the spelling).

[alison]

Hi Jerry!!

Even on a comp the Pep still charges you a resort fee? I have never been charged one when i stay on a comp. Thats odd.

I will chime in also that the Pep requires you play once in 13 monthes to keep any earned comps. I have $150 in comps left over from my trip last Sept and my frind has $80. So we are starting off good!! Drink service for me can be hit or miss at the Pep. Some times they come around non stop, and other times it feels like there is no one. Same with the consistancy on the drinks.