I used to go to Reno alot, haven't been there in quite a while, but from what I understand not too much has changed, other than the Flamingo/Golden Phoenix closing. My comments to Parker's-

> I've always avoided El Dorado, due to some advice
> given to me long ago. Unfortunately, it was so long
> ago that I don't remember exactly what it was. They
> were one of the first casinos to install MindPlay
> tables, which is probably reason enough.

I agree. I've heard of several barrings there, and the MindPlay imo is like a giant sign saying 'Stupid People Only'.
A little trivia, and my facts here are close but maybe not 100% accurate...the Eldorado is owned by the father/family of Glenn Carano, who used to be a 2nd string quarterback for the Dallas Cowboys back in the Tom Landry days.
I, too, don't remember the exact advice, but the Eldorado is smarter than the average bear, and very AP player unfriendly.

> Peppermill is notoriously sweaty. This is not a reason
> to avoid it, merely to keep your sessions really
> short.

Peppermill is probably the sweatiest, quickest to bar casino in Reno, though I've never had problems there. (In Reno, I've been backed off at Silver Legacy and, dating myself, Harold's Club.)

> If you think that the El Cortez and Western in Las
> Vegas are filthy disgusting low-roller dives, then you
> might want to avoid any casino in Sparks with the
> exception of JA Nugget.

JA Nugget is the only large casino in Sparks, the others are much smaller, but I don't quite agree with the comparison to El Kotex and Western. Rail City comes a little close.

> Rule of 7 pen used to be universal in Reno, but no
> more. However, it still can be found with a little
> looking. Don't play if you're not getting it,
> especially on the downtown D10-11 only games.

'Reno Rules' used to be a very negative adjective, single deck with DD on 10-11 only. Nowadays, that's a GOOD game in Vegas, what with 6-5 singles, no mid deck entry on doubles, and CSM shoes.

> Playing shoes is Reno is about like going into
> Binion's Ranch Steak House and ordering chicken. If
> you're not going to play single deck, there is really
> no reason to go to Reno. All the shoes are H17,
> surrender is virtually unheard-of, and shoe pen is
> generally nothing exceptional.

I pretty much agree. One exception, at least as of a while ago, was the Airport Hilton. They had good shoes. Their single deck games were very closely watched, but the shoes were not sweated nearly as much, and they had good penetration and decent betting going on, so the shoes were the better choice there imo.

> Reno is primarily red-chippers, so expect some
> scrutiny. In some of the smaller joints you may be the
> biggest action in the casino.

Yeah, not much camoflague at all in Reno for green or higher action.