Short Reno Trip Report
And there was tons of it. Many casinos with high return games, had a meter on them. Many bars, mostly with progressives. And when I got to the Atlantis, I was in awe. The place is huge, and has good video poker everywhere, it's awesome. BUT, it is safe to say, as I look at the notes I took, and I covered a lot of ground and took a lot of notes, I am a good scout. I can almost say that I did not see even one jackpot that was positive. A few small exceptions at quarters.
I know I was there at a slow time, and it was a short trip, so there must be plenty of secret nuances to the area that I just don't know. I can understand that. But to me, it not only looks like a place that has seen better days, it looks like a place that has died already.
A lot of my movement was at night. As I roamed, even at a great place like Atlantis, people weren't playing their excellent selection of video poker, they were playing Larry the Lobster and slot crap. Wtf?
One major observation that occurred to me, is that the whole area operates on a 1/4% meter rate. It's the same for the good games, and the same for the bad games. I did find a few places that offered some progressives with 1/2% meter. No wonder there is nothing above re-set.
I did find some gems in the town. I'll skip that info because you APs before me already know them and don't need me opening my mouth.
One note of interest, I saw A LOT of single deck blackjack, with 3-2, players can touch the cards, plenty of smaller places had this. The first time I saw it, I was kind of surprised. The elderly lady dealer said, "Sonny, I been dealing this since 1956", as if there is nothing in the world but single deck. I got news for you, sweet old lady. Did you know we have landed on one of the moons of Saturn? This is 2018. Did you know there's color television now?
So, I assume APs working Reno know the tricks and nuances, and I'm not asking anyone to out them. Please don't. But am I correct in assessing the impending death of Reno?
Glad I finally made the trip, but it was rather sad. Charming, scenic, but sad.
I hope you came back from Reno in the plus column. It seems the town has potential for you particularly if you like to shift to blackjack for awhile as a break from Video Poker. Are there websites that show the state of progressives there???Quote: bobbartopGlad I finally made the trip, but it was rather sad. Charming, scenic, but sad.
Some real estate people look at casinos as real estate and don't much care about the gambling which is indeed sad.
I hear that if you appear to have a pulse they will comp you so I assume the trip was no great expense.
Quote: FleaStiffI hope you came back from Reno in the plus column. It seems the town has potential for you particularly if you like to shift to blackjack for awhile as a break from Video Poker. Are there websites that show the state of progressives there???
Some real estate people look at casinos as real estate and don't much care about the gambling which is indeed sad.
I hear that if you appear to have a pulse they will comp you so I assume the trip was no great expense.
As a treat to myself, I went there to look at the place because I am soon to be an "old man" and had never been. I should have stayed longer, but needed to return home for other matters. Next time, if there is a next time, I'll spend a couple weeks. I did not play enough to lose any real money. Funny, I sometimes enjoy scouting more than playing. The thrill of the hunt.
I took the train. Thought it would be fun. That was a mistake. Next time I fly.
I'll make sure that I go at a time that "should" be more crowded, so I can give it a fair second evaluation. I couldn't help notice that there are all these huge parking structures, with no cars parked beyond the second row. I hope that was a fluke.
I know I already said this, but at the Atlantis, I was like a kid in a candy store. That place is impressive.
Oh, and I did find time to go to Carson City. A little different, but I enjoyed the 20 mile trip over the pass and by some lake. There was one place that is under new management, and I'll skip giving their name, because they suck and they are stupid. Their big sign ANNOUNCES that they were voted, among other things, "BEST VIDEO POKER". Oh boy, I got excited, practically ran in there almost wetting my pants. First bar I looked at, 7-5 Jacks, for dollars. Lovely. The other bar? 6-5 Jacks. Oh goody. Seems they went a little overboard on the commercial puffing. Good luck to them.
Tesla battery manufacturing and Apple Inc. servers should help the little city even more.
Pai Gow Poker is currently at 124,000 dollars or something like that.
UTH progressive is about 73,000.
They have some thing that starts at 25 and must hit by 50
A three reel slot for 1.80 per play that has over 700,000 as a progressive prize.
There is a must hit Buffalo progressive now at 425 that must hit by 500. Have no idea if they mean nickles or what.
Their Tiger progressive must hit by 300 and is already past 297.
The most recent time I was there, I’d estimate maybe 1/2 to 2/3 of the blackjack tables that were 3:2 during the week were switched to 6:5 on the weekend. Downtown and GSR definitely did so heavily.
Quote: mikeabiomedFrom 2011 to 2015 I was caught up in the video poker at both Peppermill and the Atlantis. I've lived in Reno since 2004 and those are the only two places in Reno that offer the most progressive video poker jackpot opportunities. Yes, during the week it's slow but on the weekends it's quite busy. Both places have a local based clientele as well as loyal travelers from California. The real estate market is on fire with only 6 weeks of housing inventory compared to a normal 6 months just a few years ago. As far as Carson City goes, nice little town (state capital) but I wouldn't recommend their casinos to a seasoned gambler. Overall, there are a handful of casinos in Reno worth visiting if you ever return. Peppermill, Atlantis, Nugget Resort, formerly John Ascuagas Nugget, Grand Sierra Resort, Silver Legacy, and El Dorado. I don't care much for Harrahs. If you like joker deuce video poker, it frequently gets up to $5k to 6k at the Atlantis. There are two machines near the bar just past the hotel check in. Did I mention they are quarter machines? $1.25 a pop. If I was making a trip there, I would go Thursday to Saturday. Those were the days I hit 80% of my jackpots. I hope this helps. Enjoy.
Yes, it did help. Thank you.
You mentioned Joker-Deuce, I did see that, in a FEW different places. And I was thinking, gee, never seen this in Vegas. Must be a Reno thing.
Ok, next time, I go on a Thursday, and stay a couple weeks. AND, I ain't taking the train again like an idiot. I thought it would be fun, it was not. I can sleep on a bus, but that train is jumpy. lol
I stayed downtown, at the Legacy. I covered a good amount of territory for the time I was there. It helps when I don't stop to eat or sleep, who needs that. But I remember walking and seeing Harrah's, and I said to myself, "Why go in there?" My time was precious, I ain't wasting a minute on Harrah's.
Thanks again for the helpful post.
Quote: FleaStiffI just found the Atlantis Progressives info page.
Pai Gow Poker is currently at 124,000 dollars or something like that.
UTH progressive is about 73,000.
They have some thing that starts at 25 and must hit by 50
A three reel slot for 1.80 per play that has over 700,000 as a progressive prize.
There is a must hit Buffalo progressive now at 425 that must hit by 500. Have no idea if they mean nickles or what.
Their Tiger progressive must hit by 300 and is already past 297.
I wasn't looking for non-video poker, but I couldn't help notice that there are progressives on everything.
Quote: mcallister3200Reno definitely on a rebound but not really gambling related. Midweek in winter the slowest possible time you could visit but yeah I’d agree the casinos are, for the most part, dying/dead.
The most recent time I was there, I’d estimate maybe 1/2 to 2/3 of the blackjack tables that were 3:2 during the week were switched to 6:5 on the weekend. Downtown and GSR definitely did so heavily.
About 7 years ago I had a project split out of Reno and Oakland. Their "corporate" hotel in Reno was the Peppermill @ $79/night for the Tuscanys. I was in heaven. Great VP, fun Pai Gow, very good food, and a nice pool in fairly nice rooms. Still go back there once a year for a few nights... hasn't changed too much, and I enjoyed looking for the advantage VP progressives there too.
Do you mean they are leaving credits in various slot machines without knowing it? I recall the first time I used a slot machine I put my card in the machine and fed a twenty dollar bill into the machine and thought the money went onto my card as if it were a "photomachine's copy card" after just a few pulls I retrieved my card and left that machine. Later that day I pulled the red lever heard a lot of noise and as I went to pull it again the guy next to me said stop but he was too late and I apparently had voided a hand payout.Quote: DRichThey are naive gamblers and are leaving plenty of opportunities.
Ignorance about gambling can be profitable....for others.
Quote: FleaStiffDo you mean they are leaving credits in various slot machines without knowing it?
No, they play games with high holds and play good games poorly. The more people doing that is better for the AP's.
Quote: FleaStiffDo you mean they are leaving credits in various slot machines without knowing it? I recall the first time I used a slot machine I put my card in the machine and fed a twenty dollar bill into the machine and thought the money went onto my card as if it were a "photomachine's copy card" after just a few pulls I retrieved my card and left that machine. Later that day I pulled the red lever heard a lot of noise and as I went to pull it again the guy next to me said stop but he was too late and I apparently had voided a hand payout.
Ignorance about gambling can be profitable....for others.
How can u void a hand payout. Isnt the machine locked till an attendant arrives
Beats me, this was eons ago and all I ever knew was what the guy next to me told me I had done something wrong.Quote: darkozHow can u void a hand payout. Isnt the machine locked till an attendant arrives
What I hated most was finding out that my money had not gone onto the card, the card was just identity not a financial balance. Dumb.
The Western Village has loose VP, and most or all of the machines are 9:6, maybe not the progressive. But the high limit progressive often gets ridiculously high, there are only 5, it's a small casino. I use to go in the casino daily to eat since I lived right across the marina and one of my rituals was to see what the progressives were at. There is no advertised scrolling reader board, you have to look at the machines. I can't afford to play $5 or $10 a hand, but I do see one guy who plays them religiously. If you go onto their website, they have pictures (recent hits) of their large payouts. Play on certain nights, you can earn anywhere from 3X to 7X comp dollars.
There are a lot of contract workers in town, not enough housing or apartments. Many living in hotels. The casinos are doing well. Lot of stupid gamblers. I've watched them play video poker, one of the stupidest players I've witnessed, didn't hit any of the redraws. Never held any cards. Probably didn't realize that you can hold and redraw.
As far as BJ, majority of the tables are single and double decks. You have to work hard to find a shoe.
Quote: Vegasrider
There are a lot of contract workers in town, not enough housing or apartments. Many living in hotels. The casinos are doing well. Lot of stupid gamblers. I've watched them play video poker, one of the stupidest players I've witnessed, didn't hit any of the redraws. Never held any cards. Probably didn't realize that you can hold and redraw.
Thankyou for the reply. Yes, I scouted the casino you mentioned and found exactly what you said. I did not know about the 3X-7X comps, though. Apparently it is owned by Peppermill, so I would expect it to be one of the better venues.
That's a funny story about the guy not holding any cards at video poker. I've seen some stupid stuff, but I think that's the best story I've ever heard.
Quote: Vegasrider
As far as BJ, majority of the tables are single and double decks. You have to work hard to find a shoe.
Speaking of single deck blackjack, there was one observation I noted that I thought was very interesting.
It was one of the smaller casinos I stopped at, and I could see that the dealer used an auto-shuffler. When she took out the fresh deck, she flashed the bottom card. EVERY TIME. And I don't mean I could catch a glimpse, I mean she just clearly showed it, you could see it a block away. Obviously oblivious. I'm thinking, gee, if I'm in that game and reaching for the cut card, I could cut a 5 out of play, or make sure an Ace would be in play. I know they only deal half a deck, and double on 10 and 11, and hit H17, but with just a little knowledge of BJ theory, and card composition, and reading Sklansky's "Key Card Concept", I'm pretty sure I could beat that game with a flat bet. Like I said, I wasn't looking for blackjack on the trip.
ADVANTAGE PLAY ALERT!!!
I wrote down the numbers on a 6-spot progressive keno for NICKELS.
Now that I'm home, I see its return was 100.50%.
At 20-cents a pop, times what, (1000 hands an hour? I dunno), that's $200 coin-in, at 1/2%,
THAT'S A DOLLAR AN HOUR!
My lips are sealed. Don't anyone try to private message me. I ain't outting it.
Quote: bobbartopGoing over some of my notes.
ADVANTAGE PLAY ALERT!!!
I wrote down the numbers on a 6-spot progressive keno for NICKELS.
Now that I'm home, I see its return was 100.50%.
At 20-cents a pop, times what, (1000 hands an hour? I dunno), that's $200 coin-in, at 1/2%,
THAT'S A DOLLAR AN HOUR!
My lips are sealed. Don't anyone try to private message me. I ain't outting it.
The progressive full pay DW for nickels at Fandango is not a big secret, not like my secret keno play anyway, so I don't feel guilty in saying that it was at $308 when I was there. Hey, about a $3.50 an hour play. Not too shabby, if I'm ever a homeless person. (no offense to any homeless people who are regulars on this Board)
Quote: bobbartopI did not know about the 3X-7X comps, though.
Factoring in the comp multiplier add somewhat towards an edge in return. At 7X, your comp dollars adds up pretty fast. 7X are special promotions, but not unusual to see 5X every week.
Two plays that I really should have bombed the s*** out of:
Atlantis, .25 FPJW w card of the day. About $150/hr with low variance, but you needed to have your card in the machine, which seemed like a problem for long term viability there (I think I was proven right)
Rail City, .25 10-play 10-6-4 DDB with a graveyard multiplier (3x, IIRC, .25 base) and every other royal double (you had 48 hours to hit the second one). That one I had pegged at a cool $180/hr. Oh yeah, the game had the turbo button, too. Had no problem getting on, too, strangely. There was a married couple, the wife flopped $10k and that ended it-after about 6-7 months. TBH, I just wasn't interested in screwing up my sleep pattern and living in Reno for the 3-6 months before the play went bye bye (with the expected trespassing afterwards) for $25K or so a month. The few hours I did play it (maybe 30 in all) I crushed it anyway.
I still go there every now and then. If you look around and carefully (one is a bartop. ironically) you may find something worthwhile to play (no inboxes please).
Only place i will play when it comes to the machines is the WV. Loosest place in town based fron experience and my observations from others who keeps signing on their wins
I have found a $1 progressive DD 9:6 that's a couple of hundred shy of 6k at another casino. Might have to take a shot once it gets up to 6.
Quote: VegasriderI like playing the machines that I know that is known to pay.
What's that supposed to mean?
Quote: aschus11I saw that on vpfree2 as well. I don't think there is anywhere else in Nevada or elsewhere that one could play Double Bonus 10/7 progressive at $1 or at the $2 denomination. I have a trip planned there in a few weeks and I can't believe I won't be spending hours a day at the Waterfall Bar anymore. Looks like Atlantis has completely gotten rid of all 100%+ video poker at all denominations.
I made my first trip ever to Reno a few weeks ago and the one thing I was going to make sure I got done was to see the famous Atlantis. I even played a little 10-7 DB progressive. And now they took them out. I feel like I jinxed it. lol I'm sorry.
Although there appears to be some difference of opinion as to how attractive certain Video Poker machines are, it does appear that casinos try to shuffle certain machines around or try other measures to make the machines available to 'the public' but less desirable to these dedicated advantage players who seem to hog them.Quote: bobbartopI even played a little 10-7 DB progressive. And now they took them out.
Of necessity, Vegas is probably the most interested place in going against 'slot machine sharpies' but smaller operators in Reno will certainly eventually get tired of feeding sharpies instead of the general public.
Quote: FleaStiffAlthough there appears to be some difference of opinion as to how attractive certain Video Poker machines are, it does appear that casinos try to shuffle certain machines around or try other measures to make the machines available to 'the public' but less desirable to these dedicated advantage players who seem to hog them.
Of necessity, Vegas is probably the most interested place in going against 'slot machine sharpies' but smaller operators in Reno will certainly eventually get tired of feeding sharpies instead of the general public.
I think those 10-7 progressives were there since McCarran was Senator.
Quote: VegasriderI have hit multiple signers on the same machine as well within 30 minutes at WV. A Royal for 3k and then 4 aces with a kicker for 2k. I like playing the machines that I know that is known to pay. I will wait for it to open up or I won't play.
I have found a $1 progressive DD 9:6 that's a couple of hundred shy of 6k at another casino. Might have to take a shot once it gets up to 6.
I checked a lot of meters while I was there and 1/4% was very common. That's ok on all those good paytables around town but not on 9-6 DDB and lower. A 1/2% should be minimum on 9-6 DDB. Just my opinion.
