Hey everybody,

Went to Reno, and due to the strangest circumstances, I was able to find most of the information at Reno for Limit, NL Hold'em and Omaha 8. I was supposed to do this a couple of months ago, but I've learned that when you bring other people on vacations to your place, you have to act as host and don't have time to run around as much.

Hopefully, this information will serve some people if they happen across the Reno area and are looking for a game. My comments on players and establishment in italics.

Reno Hilton: Thurs., Fri., Sat. they have a NL game with 1/2 blinds. Minimum buy is $50, maximum is $500, no mention of a bring in. Limit holdem games are 2/4 and 4/8 and you can usually get into one 24/7. They also have a weekday tournament Mon.-Fri. @ 9:30 am, 20 player max, $15 NL game(no rebuys). First ten players are given $15 for live play based on 1 hour of play. Sat. and Sun. @ 9:30am is the $25 NL tournament 20 player max. Jackpots for particular high hands, four of a kind or better. Only played there a few times at the limit game, usually has weak, passive players and calling stations. Where the WPT events in Reno are held. Small room, but has Johhny Rockets about 50 feet away. Smoke free. Usually two or more games going.

Atlantis: Fri. and Sat. @ 7pm is a NL game blinds $1/$1/$2 (button/SB/BB), min buy-in $50, max $200. Signups for the game start at 9:30am. They also have $3/$6 limit hold'em and $1-$5 Limit 7-Card Stud. Progressive bad beat, royal and Str. flush jackpots, and if you have AAAJJ or better you can spin their prize wheel. Also, they have daily morning tournments, shootout style(single table, two table max), 7-card stud at 10am and hold'em at noon. $15 buyin for each, winner takes all. One of the nicest casinos in Reno, best buffet in Reno, but small poker room. Most older players, but also many weak, passive players. Smoke free. Usually 3 games going, slows down between 2am to 8am.

Peppermill: Fri., Sat., and Sun. they run a NL game $2/$4 blinds min buy-in $60, max $200, and also on weekends a $10/$20 limit Hold'em game. They have constant $2/$4 and $4/$8 limit hold'em games with the $4/$8 game having a full kill. They have many tournaments and detaisl can be found at . They have a progressive bad beat jackpot for limit games as well. Feb. 26th - March 6th is their Spring Poker Tournament Series with tournaments running everyday consisting of either limit hold'em, NL Hold'em, or Omaha 8. Pretty good restaurants, had nice tracking features for hours played and special freerolls for continuing customers. Also, food court is very close, and now smoke free. Five tournaments a week, medium room, usually two+ games going.

Circus Circus: Daily "Low Limit" NL hold'em game starting @ 7pm, blinds are $2/$2, bring in is $5, min buy-in $20, max $200. Betting is done in increments of $5. They also have a bigger NL hold'em game on weekends $50 min, $500 max, blinds still $2/$2 w/ $5 bring-in. They have some $2/$4, $3/$6($4/$8 kill when pot is $60), $4/$8 limit games and 7-card stud $1-$5 limit. They also have NL Hold'em tournaments daily, $15 buy-in. Small room shared with race/sports book. Still deciding on tournament plan and not as full. Usully good on Fri. and Sat., but doesn't hold many players on the weekdays. Weak-tight players, but many many calling stations. Smoke-free and banned cellular usage. Go somewhere else to eat.

Eldorado: Thurs., Fri., and Sat. NL Hold'em game starts at 6pm, sometimes earlier(when they get a full list/table). Blinds $2/$3/$5, $10 bring-in, min buy-in $100, no maximum. Only bills that play are $100 bills. Special "kill" rule - $10 can be placed blind, and that purchases last action preflop and there is a forced bet of $20 to come in. $3/$6(full kill to $6/$12) and $4/$8 (half kill to $6/$12) limit hold'em games are available(sometimes $6/$12 limit on weekends), 7-Card Stud $1 - $5 limit, and on Sun., Mon., Thurs., and Fri. @ 6pm is Omaha Hi/Lo Split 8 or better. Blinds are $4/$8(half kill at $6/$12; qualifier is a scoop and $60 pot). There are also NL hold'em tournaments on Tues. and Wed. for $22 + $20(optional rebuy). They also have a best hand feature for limit, stud, and Omaha where if you have the best hand of the day, you can win $50. Hands down the easiest place to find a game, the biggest waiting lists at peak hours, the most variety in games, and also some pretty horrible competition(anyone sensing a pattern here?). Although there is usually only one 4/8 limit hold'em game, it runs almost 24/7 it seems on the weekends. 3/6 games are also easy to find any day of the week 24/7. Could have up to 9 tables open on the weekend. Good restaurants too, and you can order food to your seat from the casino cafe. Where I usually play. Smoking allowed after 1 am. Good dealers, friendly atmosphere. Special note on the NL game - haven't had the guts to jump in there; a few players have stacks of $200 to $500, and there are usually a few stacks between $1K to $2K; larger stacks are usually owned by the regulars.

Harrahs: Weekend NL hold'em game blinds at $2/$5, min buy-in $50, max $500. $3/$6 hold'em limit games, and weekday tournaments...Have not player at Harrah's, but it seems the higher end crowd visits the casino, so has a good amount of friendly fish. Just opened less than a year ago, still trying out things and trying to get regulars. Smoke free.

Cal-Neva: No NL game! But, they have spread limit hold'em $1-$4/$1-$6 blind of $1. Also, 7-card stud game $1-$5 and a $3/$6 Omaha H/Lo game with a $6/$12 kill (Kill qualifies on a scooped pot of $60 or more). Also, they have a progressive bad beat jackpot for hold'em, stud, and Omaha 8. This is the old folks home; regulars come in and play tight for points list promotion, so lots of weak-tight play. If someone older is calling you down, you are probably beat...been called down with full house aces and quads at this place...cheapest blind structure ever and on the weekends some passive calling stations. Smoking is allowed. Food isn't the best; choose another close casino. Omaha 8 game, although usually run daily ends early 10pm because everyone goes to bed...I swear it. Nice, friendly crowd though.

I haven't seen any other places to play poker there, but they might exist...although they are surely well hidden. Hopes this helps anyone who heads to Reno. It's always tourist season up there which is always good for the tables. I am hoping to do a Part II to this column for Tahoe room, but since I have not located all the poker places in South Lake Tahoe yet, I will hold off. Good luck at the tables...

Hey Dan,

I just read your article, Great info.

We are heading to Reno on May 3rd and will try our hand at some poker. We are staying at the Reno Hilton. Just found out that the Peppermill hotel and Casino is having a huge cinco demayo party and the hotel is sold OUT..

Sounds like there might be a good game or 2 there.

Have you been lately? Just wondering if you have been there lately and if you have anymore updates.

Thanks

Should make this a sticky.

Done...