Visitreno

remano · Joined: 20 Dec 2005 Posts: 717

In what to me looks like the beginning of the end for this small casino on the edge of downtown, the Siena has announced that they are laying off all their dealers and replacing them with "dealertainers" who will be singing, dancing and serving drinks between hands. This has been tried at a few casinos in Las Vegas and Harrah's in Reno also advertises one "party pit" that's open on weekends. To make room for the new format Siena is removing two of their tables, reducing the total to 6. RIP, Siena. More details:

http://www.rgj.com/article/20090819/BIZ/908190419/1071/Dealers-laid-off-at-Siena

jerry · Joined: 11 Jan 2006 Posts: 759

thanks, remano, for keeping us so well-informed about Reno things we'd otherwise know nothing about. You da man!!

Very interesting article. Seems the Siena is always trying to reinvent itself -- always without success. I am amazed that they lasted this long.
Their clientele is not what I'd choose; they are in a bad neighborhood; they have driven off their high-spending out-of-towners.

I know that their lack of continuing offers to me has saved me a "ton of money" that I otherwise would have lost to them.

And, finally, I have ZERO interest in this concept. I suspect that most of their current clientele could care less - in fact would prefer not seeing this change.

JD · Joined: 18 Dec 2005 Posts: 956

I read that that article in the Reno Gazetter Urinal and jumped on over.

One of old favorite sawdust joints was the Comstock where they let the dealers and bartenders wear any western wear they wanted. The staff liked it, the customers liked it...all was well.

One day, I showed up and they all had these dweeby Nehru collar gold lame blouses on... and I laughed at them. "Oh, the Douglasses had to spend their last $ 100 k on a uniform consultant?"

They didn't last six months. When new uniforms arrive, and the machines leave... the grim reaper is nearby.

I wonder what LV Bear will have to say?

I'll bet NEXT time, they'll look up that video tape for me!!

Oh ya...."How are those condos working out for you?"

AND Jethro is thinking about buying the Silver Club!!!

ErininSD · Joined: 19 Dec 2005 Posts: 265

They had the Harrahs party pit going when I was there during HAN. They had a pole dancer up on a stage in between the tables and were playing hip hop music, which is what I prefer. Very Happy

A lot of youngsters were there, but I liked it.

I did head over to Sapphire and caught part of their girly show and I enjoyed it. I had a major headached and didn't stay for long though.

I did bribe way in with my diamond card. The door girl was giving discounts off the $10 cover just for asking in a nice way.

john · Site Admin Joined: 17 Dec 2005 Posts: 1181

So now we have drinking, dancing girls and massages at the tables. Kinda makes you wonder what's next. The next thing will probably be...no, that would require a private booth.

jerry · Joined: 11 Jan 2006 Posts: 759

John, you always get into trouble when you start "thinking".

JD · Joined: 18 Dec 2005 Posts: 956

I suppose this will mean no more 10X odds on the craps tables?

Ya....rap music....THAT'S what they really need. Nice clientelle...those rap fans!

alison · Joined: 09 Jan 2006 Posts: 1150

JD · Joined: 18 Dec 2005 Posts: 956

I guess I'm saying, "Allison, I like you a lot. But I'm breaking up with you. It'll never work out."

Hip Hop...even better! Big spenders and so well behaved....

Big turnaround at the Siena... get your new player's club cards now... while you can.

Soon to be collectors item.

ErininSD · Joined: 19 Dec 2005 Posts: 265

Shooty · Joined: 22 Jan 2006 Posts: 182

Terrible. Siena has been my favorite casino pretty much since it opened. Especially the craps table.

I can't see how this could possibly be a good sign for those of us who just want a good, relaxed game backed by good cocktail service.

I am profoundly NOT interested in my dealer's singing or dancing skills. I cannot emphasize that enough.

I'm still pulling for you, Siena, but this is not hopeful news.

lvbear584 · Joined: 07 Jun 2006 Posts: 140

I am surprised the Siena has lasted as long as it has. It is an esteemed member of my Reno Casino Death Watch List. Over the years, games were gutted, table maximums reduced, comps reduced, but nothing helped. I don't understand why there wasn't a wall placed along the east and south sides of the property to partition off the slums and reduce the number of bums and drug addicts who loiter in the parking lot. It might have given patrons a safer feeling there, especially at night, when the creeps roam freely throughout the property.

Sadly, I imagine the new pit with scantily-clad dealers will go to 6 to 5 garbage like most of the other places that offer this "entertainment" option. Rio's bikini pit failed long ago. Harrah's Reno's scantily-clad pit has been a miserable failure, perhaps partially because many of the Harrah's Reno's dealers look like crack whores picked up on 4th Street. Will Siena be any different?

I am sorry to see this happen. Siena was one of only two Reno casinos from which I have never been backed off or 86'd. The other was Fitzgeralds, and I outlasted it. Siena always amazed me, because everyone I know has been backed off there; most people many times. I had a four-figure win there during my last Reno trip, despite the too-low table max of only $300, so I guess I contributed a tiny bit to Siena's demise. :>)

Reno Casino Death Watch:

http://www.thebeargrowls.com/?p=139