Seneca Niagra review.

Spent the last three days visiting Seneca Niagara amd thought I would give some feedback.

Rooms were very expensive compared to LV. My weekend stay (Friday and Saturday) cost $500. Fortunately when I made the reservation there was a new employee who mistakenly gave me a $200 resort credit. The shift manager had no problem in honoring it, so it worked out. The room was a corner room with a jacuzzi tub, floor to ceiling windows, a love seat, ez chair, and table. The views would be spectacular if the town was a little nicer to look at. Although the Canadian side of the falls is nicely lit at night, so the evening view was nice. The rooms themselve were very nice, but the bed was just average. I cannot complain about the room price, as they were sold out both nights. Supply and demand I guess.

The buffet was average. If I was in Vegas I would compare it to Harrah's. Good selection, good service, but average food.

For lunch on saturday I ate at Blue's Burger. Probably the best food value in the casino. The burger was $8, but was large and very tasty. You can also build the burger the way you want it with plenty of options to suit everyone.

Dinner Saturday was at the upscale Asian resturaunt, KOI. Wide variety of asian inspired dishes. I was impressed with the service as well as the quality of the meal. Not you typical neighborhood take out.

Now for the important part.... the casino.

There is smoking at Seneca Niagara and it is noticable. Not overpowering as some have said, but that is only my opinion. It is good size casino, not MGM large but definatley larger than anything on Freemont and the older strip properties. On Saturday night the were probably 50 tables open at peak. The tables were 00 roulette, craps, Carribean Stud, Let it RIde, 3 Card Poker, 4 Card Poker, Spanish 21, and Blackjack.

Of those games I played Spanish, BJ, and 3 card poker as well as some VP.

The Spanish 21 was typical rules, with the house staying on all 17's. Minimum bet $10. ($15 Saturday night)

3 Card Poker was not a good option for hole carding. Every dealer I saw slid the cut card under their cards before removing them from the shuffler. Again the min. was $10 up t0 $15 primetime.

There were 2 formats for BJ. The first was an 8 deck shoe. Dealer hits on soft 17. Cut card was approx. 4 decks in. There was almost always a $10 table except for 3 or 4 hours on Sturday night.

I did not play craps, but the minimums were almost always $10. I did not see what odds were offered.

The second BJ game was the continuous shuffler. The dealer did not hit soft 17 on this table. $10 up to $15 minimums.

VP was typically 8/5. However I was sitting at the bar playing to kill some time and noticed that on Joker Poker the paytable was better at the bar than on the floor. I meant to check the JoB, but forgot. The bar Joker game payed 1:1 on Aces or better were on the floor 2 pairs or better paid. I also found that if your playing for free drinks you will get comped full size beer at the bar ond a puny 8 oz. on the floor.

Over all I had a great time. e.g. I took money home. Most of the dealers and pit personel were very friendly. The only downsides was the slight smoke background and the not so beautiful area that the casino is located in.


Hope this was useful,
Nate

Great report.

Quote: Kepper

Over all I had a great time. e.g. I took money home.

Is that another way of saying you lost, but not all of it?

(Sometimes I think gamblers, when talking about how they did, are the greatest spin-doctors on the planet!)

I've been to this casino only once. I walked in, saw the giant, thick, grey cloud of cigarette smoke and walked right out! This was 5 years or so ago.

For those who detest high smoke levels, you can cross over the falls to the Canadian side where smoking is illegal in the casinos. However, the slot returns/video poker/rules and pay tables tend to be as bad or worse and the minimums are usually higher.

Quote: DJTeddyBear

Is that another way of saying you lost, but not all of it?

(Sometimes I think gamblers, when talking about how they did, are the greatest spin-doctors on the planet!)

OK, I'll give the breakdown.

I went with $400 cash. On friday I lost $100 playing Spanish 21. I the went to the shoe dealt BJ and lost $150. I then went to lick my wounds and sat down next to my wife at a slot machine. After awhile I got board and put $50 in the dollar machine and hit for $100. Went to dinner and came back Friday night and played BJ till until midnight losing another $50. Went to bed down $300.

Couldn't sleep well so I got up at 6 a.m. grabbed a cup of coffee. On my way back through the casino there was a 3 card poker table with three guys having a good time, so I pulled up next to them and bought in. Bet the $10 ante and was feeling lucky so I went against judgement and put $5 on the pair plus. Played 5 hands, won 4, including 2 flushes. Colored up (+$100) and went to the BJ table. I decided to play the continuos shuffle game since the dealer stands on soft 17 and I don't count anyway. Put down a black chip and proceeded to double up (+$100). Decided to go find breakfast with a little more hop in my step. Passed a 3 reel quarter machine, had a moment of weakness and threw in a $20. Damn if I didn't hit this one too. Cashed out (+$50). Breakfast tastes better when your back!

Spent the rest of the A.M. and afternoon braving the weather to view the falls. Weather sucked, but the falls do look cool with all the ice.

After a nap back to the casino for a while. Place was getting really busy as evening drew near, so I played some VP at the bar to get some cheap beverages. Played about even. Went to dinner with the wife, she was tired and went to bed and I hit the tables. Played $10 BJ for a while until they raised the tables to $15. When I needed a break at about 11:00 I was up another $200. Sat at the bar for awhile and went back. When I left the tables at 1:30 I had $930 in chips andno cash.

So in summary I went with $400 and left with $930.

When I loose I don't spin it. That is a bad habit to get into. I can loose and still have fun (sort of!), I don't need to spin it.

Quote: cardshark

I've been to this casino only once. I walked in, saw the giant, thick, grey cloud of cigarette smoke and walked right out! This was 5 years or so ago.

That seems to be a major attraction of this casino, among the last public places in NY where one can smoke. I have to wonder how many former bingo players now feed the slots so they can smoke while they play. I also wonder if they sell no-tax smokes there?

I have been to Seneca Niagara casino many times and would like to add some information. In addition to the games you listed, they have mini and midi baccarat, Texas hold'em bonus and pia gow poker. They do have a small non-smoking section with 8 tables (blackjack, Spanish 21, three card poker and let it ride).

I don't now how you counted the tables but on Saturday nights there usually around 90 tables open.

The dealer you played with on the 8 deck shoe must have made a mistake because on all blackjack tables the dealer must stand on soft 17.

For craps the odds are 3,4,5 on $10 and $15 dollar tables and 5x odds on the $25 table.

There is a single 0 roulette table in the high limit room but it isn't open too often.

In the high limit room the blackjack is 6 decks dealt from a shoe.

Quote: Fleaswatter

I have been to Seneca Niagara casino many times and would like to add some information. In addition to the games you listed, they have mini and midi baccarat, Texas hold'em bonus and pia gow poker. They do have a small non-smoking section with 8 tables (blackjack, Spanish 21, three card poker and let it ride).

I don't now how you counted the tables but on Saturday nights there usually around 90 tables open.

The dealer you played with on the 8 deck shoe must have made a mistake because on all blackjack tables the dealer must stand on soft 17.

For craps the odds are 3,4,5 on $10 and $15 dollar tables and 5x odds on the $25 table.

There is a single 0 roulette table in the high limit room but it isn't open too often.

In the high limit room the blackjack is 6 decks dealt from a shoe.

You may be right on the BJ shoe. I was getting killed and didn't stay too long on that table. I don't think I saw a soft 17 and my memory must have slipped.

As far as the tables, that was an estimate. I did not walk and count every one. There were about 20 tables (+2 tubs) in the center section as well as 3 or four roullette tables not being used. I also did not count any of the high roller tables as they don't really apply to me :(

They once had full pay PK UM video poker which was worth a nice daily paycheck.

Seneca Niagara also has a large poker room, with around 16 tables. They spread limit and no limit holdem, and will get an omaha game going on the weekend. Last time I played omaha there it was hi/lo 3/6 limit with a kill.

Poker room is no smoking, thank goodness. The main floor is smoking, but the ceilings are like 50 feet high, so although it's really smokey, it's bearable.

I thought they also had texas holdem bonus.

Niagara Falls, New York is in a "economically depressed" area. Lot's of boarded up restaurants and stores. Has been for years. Casino has done nothing to improve it. I go through "that part of town" on my way to the Canadian side for the Casino Niagara and Fallsview Casino. My point being, if you don't leave Seneca Niagara Casino then you're OK (if you liked the review). BUT, if you want nite life and lots of other things to do you should go to the Canadian side (you can walk from Seneca Niagara). US side view of Niagara Falls sucks. There are no restaurants, entertainment or sites on New York side worth leaving the casino for. You now need a passport to go over to Canada. So if you are looking for other fun and entertainment BRING A PASSPORT!!!!

Disclaimer: I don't gamble in NY state because all casino's (that include table games) are owned by indian tribes. I have no problem with indians or their claims. Problem is, it's been going on for 40 years! Not a week goes by (in my county) that a protest doesn't take place, a lawsuit isn't filed or politician doesn't lie about their concern. Well I guess they always lie so nothing new there. All I want is an end to it all. Give them half the state if they want. Just end the endless lawsuits and court battles. Politicians don't have the backbone for it though. It's a HUGE money makers for law firms. I don't go to indian casinos in NY and I don't vote for incumbents!!

The full pay PK machines I believe are now gone. Casino Niagara had 8 of them that went the do-do when the US ones did. It was an interesting competition.

If Seneca was no smoking, I'd like that one better than the Canadian casino when comparing casino to casino. Ontario has two "tribal" casinos and we have had our share of protests and land claims as well. Otherwise, the Canadian side does have the tourism and night-life so that if you leave the casino broke, you have got many, many options. If you have older children for example, you can send them off to Clifton Hill while you gamble.

Seneca Niagara is my 'home' casino. I have been going since it opened, and the smoke situation has definitely improved. Last time there my friend noticed that no one was smoking at our pai gow table, and asked if it could be smoke free. The pit boss gladly obliged. The same happenned at the only other open pai gow table. I can tolerate the overall smell of smoke so long as it is not beamed right up my nostrils. I think the buffet is fine for a buffet. Koi is a great restaurant. I have gone there when not gambling. The steakhouse is also very good. It is pricey for western New York, but I think it is worth it. The dealers are very friendly, and helpful, in my opinion. Far better than their government employee counterparts at Fallsview or Casino Niagara. I have been chastised for talking to my wife mid hand on the Canadian side, while they should be encouraging me to show her how to play. We were playing $15 pai gow. The smoke free nature of the Canadian side is a big bonus, but you have to pay for your own drinks which just feels wrong. The Canadian side also has tiles, which the American side does not. The American side is very generous with comps for low level players. For a semi regular (8 times a year?) I get match play equal to double my usual bet, once a week. Free room midweek during the winter. Free buffet twice a month. That does not count the comps you also earn while playing. The biggest advantage over the Canadian casinos is not having to cross the border. Just one 45 minute wait at the bridge is enough to make me pull out the few remaining hairs in my head.

Quote: Yoyomama

Niagara Falls, New York is in a "economically depressed" area. Lot's of boarded up restaurants and stores. Has been for years. Casino has done nothing to improve it. I go through "that part of town" on my way to the Canadian side for the Casino Niagara and Fallsview Casino. My point being, if you don't leave Seneca Niagara Casino then you're OK (if you liked the review). BUT, if you want nite life and lots of other things to do you should go to the Canadian side (you can walk from Seneca Niagara). US side view of Niagara Falls sucks. There are no restaurants, entertainment or sites on New York side worth leaving the casino for. You now need a passport to go over to Canada. So if you are looking for other fun and entertainment BRING A PASSPORT!!!!

If you do not want to get a passport there is an alternative. There is a kind of "tourist card" you can get. But you have to plan ahead, or IOW if you want to gamble Canadian Side this weekend you are out of luck.

Canadian Side is now very expensive for those with Yankee Greenbacks.

Both sides of the border (the Canadian side much more) were hurt when the passport requirements went up. The Canadian side really hurts when the dollar is close to parity.

Seneca Niagara generally has better comps for the players, has free drinks, and generally has lower limits. Overall, I think Seneca's a better gaming experience than the Canadian side, save the smoking -- which is a deal-breaker for me. And the dealers on the Canadian side are hit and miss, with most of them being pretty friendly (in my opinion). Mind you, I've had not-so good dealer experiences at Seneca especially at the Crap table. The employees at Fallsview/Niagara are not government employees (unionized, yes). The casinos pay a substantial license fee to the government to operate there (unlike the Charity casinos -- they are government workers and the facilities are owned by the government).

Quote: boymimbo

Both sides of the border (the Canadian side much more) were hurt when the passport requirements went up. The Canadian side really hurts when the dollar is close to parity.

I did my christmas shopping in Canada in 2001 when the dollar was really strong. Saved about 15% even after the rape of the GST. And got some items that made people say, "where did you find this?"

At Sears they tried to hit me up for a credit card application. I mentioned I was from the states and they said no dice. But the clerk asked why I was there and I was honest, exchange rate.

HST is now 13% in Ontario

Back in 2001, I think you could of claimed the tax back... but no longer. Maybe that was only for non-NAFTA people.

Quote: thecesspit

HST is now 13% in Ontario

Back in 2001, I think you could of claimed the tax back... but no longer. Maybe that was only for non-NAFTA people.

You got some of it back at duty-free shop, but it was restrictive. Had to be a certain dollar amount or more on one purchase, aggragate didn't count. It may still be that way.


In early 90s the combination of GST and dollar/C-dollar relationship so strong that some stores in Buffalo had a 90% Canadian customer base on weekends.

Quote: AZDuffman

If you do not want to get a passport there is an alternative. There is a kind of "tourist card" you can get. But you have to plan ahead, or IOW if you want to gamble Canadian Side this weekend you are out of luck.

Canadian Side is now very expensive for those with Yankee Greenbacks.

I have a NEXUS Card. It's credit card size. You go thru a US and Canadian background check, they finger print you and you have a 1 on 1 interview with customs. Takes 6-8 weeks. It's not as bad as it sounds. $50 for 5 years. The card has a transmitter in it so they have me up on screen before I get to customs officer. Basically, I just drive right thru to Canada and I am maybe delayed 10 seconds coming back to US. Even in the heaviest tourist times, look over to the Nexus line and there is NO ONE IN IT!! Damn I shouldn't have said anything. Might get more applicants. I go once a week so it's well worth it.

Quote: Yoyomama

I have a NEXUS Card. It's credit card size. You go thru a US and Canadian background check, they finger print you and you have a 1 on 1 interview with customs. Takes 6-8 weeks. It's not as bad as it sounds. $50 for 5 years. The card has a transmitter in it so they have me up on screen before I get to customs officer. Basically, I just drive right thru to Canada and I am maybe delayed 10 seconds coming back to US. Even in the heaviest tourist times, look over to the Nexus line and there is NO ONE IN IT!! Damn I shouldn't have said anything. Might get more applicants. I go once a week so it's well worth it.

I applied for a NEXUS card two years ago, but missed my interview and didn't end up getting one. I donated $50 to customs and border patrol :) It is extremely useful to have. As an aside, the background check for NEXUS was the most stringent I have ever encountered -- probably similar to applying for the bar in some states. I never got to the interview so I don't know what that would have been like.

Quote: AZDuffman

I did my christmas shopping in Canada in 2001 when the dollar was really strong. Saved about 15% even after the rape of the GST. And got some items that made people say, "where did you find this?"

At Sears they tried to hit me up for a credit card application. I mentioned I was from the states and they said no dice. But the clerk asked why I was there and I was honest, exchange rate.

Tell me about it! I can remember, a few years ago, getting CND$1500 for my US$1000. It was like going to MONOPOLY LAND! They even gave you the GST tax back. I would save my receipts for a couple months and then stop at the duty free shop and get the tax refunded. They stopped that.

Quote: teddys

I applied for a NEXUS card two years ago, but missed my interview and didn't end up getting one. I donated $50 to customs and border patrol :) It is extremely useful to have. As an aside, the background check for NEXUS was the most stringent I have ever encountered -- probably similar to applying for the bar in some states. I never got to the interview so I don't know what that would have been like.

Yeah it's weird. The NEXUS was a pretty good going over. I have a passport also and that was nothin to get!

Just one more thing. I think that a casino in an economically depressed area may be one of the worst things you can do for that economy. Here's a couple excerpts from a study done by a Niagara University professor. By the way, the main gambling area used to be where Niagara University used to play all it's basketball games!

"The Seneca-run casinos in Western New York gave away $42 million in "loss leaders" in the nine months ending June 30, 2010, according to an independent analysis provided by one of the area's professors of hospitality and tourism management.

The combination of these giveaways and the Seneca Gaming Corporation's (SGC's) advantages of paying no taxes and operating under a different set of rules, regulations and laws, compared with all other competing hospitality entities, "pose a formidable threat to any and all other hospitality operations in WNY ," according to Prof. Siegel. "The continued viability of that vibrant industry as an economic generator would be at stake if the Buffalo Creek Casino was ever completed."

Prof. Siegel calls the casino a "huge money sucking vacuum;" he concludes: "There exists hard data that should make it clear to our citizens and decision makers that not only won't the casino deliver on its inflated claims, but it would actually serve as a huge money sucking vacuum, redirecting hundreds of millions of dollars from local businesses and putting far more people out of work than it can ever hope to employ in the casino."

The Canadian side has MANY more things to do and the 2 casinos are just part of the attraction. Niagara Falls, NY is a mess and I would not want to go there. Looks as bad as it did 10 years ago when I started traveling to Canada. I like to gamble but don't spend 24/7 doing it.

In response to the Canada/U.S. is pretty much a moot point when it comes to gambling. I have frequented both with the last time to Canada being the last for gambling in general. The blackjack is mostly csms and rules in Canada are sub par anymore with a few exceptions. Yes the smoke in the Seneca niagra can make you feel like a ham in smoke house and it can be overbearing on saturday nights. There are better opportunities in surrounding states overall and recommend the drive for serious players. As far as Indian casinos are concerned you will never get comps like you do in Las Vegas for play, something I have complained to them about time and time again.

Quote: blackchipjim

In response to the Canada/U.S. is pretty much a moot point when it comes to gambling. I have frequented both with the last time to Canada being the last for gambling in general. The blackjack is mostly csms and rules in Canada are sub par anymore with a few exceptions. Yes the smoke in the Seneca niagra can make you feel like a ham in smoke house and it can be overbearing on saturday nights. There are better opportunities in surrounding states overall and recommend the drive for serious players. As far as Indian casinos are concerned you will never get comps like you do in Las Vegas for play, something I have complained to them about time and time again.

I will be going to Salmeca in the Southern Tier next week. If anyone is interested I can report back on it. Just a general report as I will be carpooling with a friend who would not have the patience for me to do a full WoO format review.

Quote: AZDuffman

I will be going to Salmeca in the Southern Tier next week.

'Salamanca'. Not being 'that guy' harping on spelling, just wanted all to know where you were talking about =)

Quote: Face

'Salamanca'. Not being 'that guy' harping on spelling, just wanted all to know where you were talking about =)

No problem. My spelling is terrible, I spelled it phonetically based on how my friends pronounce it.

Ok- then "Niagara", too.

Quote: SOOPOO

Ok- then "Niagara", too.

Now you know why I got the lowest grade is spelling in my class.

I wasn't saying one casino is better than the other. Just that if you want to do something other than gamble away from the casino, you're better off going over the border. Just a suggestion.

I'd love to take AZ for a tour of Niagara Falls. We'll talk politics? And then one of us will jump!

Customer, perhaps intoxicated, tried to leave buffet area carrying food. Staff stopped him and security escorted him off the premises whereupon he was observed walking toward the valet parking area while holding but not aiming a firearm. Police were called but were unable to locate the man.