When I wrote about my favorite sportsbooks in Las Vegas a couple weeks ago I had someone ask if I knew the best sportsbooks in Reno. I’ve never been to Reno so I called on my Reno guy, Chris Andrews, for some information.
Chris is a great guy and has worked at the Stardust and Barbary Coast sportsbooks in Las Vegas. He’s worked for William Hill most recently and now operates Against The Number.
If you follow my other writing you know that I contribute monthly to Against The Number which is a complimentary blog to SHARPS. Chris offers a lot of great insight and information for sports bettors on twitter where you can follow him @andrewssports.
Without further adieu, let’s look at the 3 best sportsbooks in Reno. Note: Make sure you check out #1, it is awesome. Like, seriously awesome.
#3- Silver Legacy
The Legacy is part of the MGM family of sportsbooks. That means some good things, and some not so good things. At the headquarters they run the place like a Las Vegas sportsbook. Reno is a different market, but I’m not sure they’ll ever figure that out. Money lines are sporadic, the games with bigger point spreads often don’t have them. The future book prices are not the worst, but they’re not very good either. Parlay cards are less than ideal and often games are taken off if they have moved quite a bit. If you are a big player and a room customer staying here, getting down on a large bet should be no problem.
The ticket writers here are all very professional, very efficient. Sometimes there aren’t enough of them, however.
Drink tickets are given out for sports players. They have a nice bar with a good viewing area. Including the bar area, there are 13 televisions. You can sit in one spot and see all the games. Sometimes the picture is not the greatest quality, though.
During football season, they set up a sandwich and snack bar. The selection is usually minimal, but I can personally attest to an excellent turkey or roast beef sandwich. They have chips and salsa, pretzels, popcorn, and various snacking items as well.
Beer and bartenders make a bar for sports bettors and this bar has good quality in both areas. There is good cocktail service, as well.
The Legacy has some of the best seating in the area for comfort as well as accommodating a large number of people. They erect bleachers in the sportsbook are for a stadium feel. They don’t have a large amount of televisions, but you can see them all rather comfortably.
Photo: Silver Legacy
#2- Eldorado
William Hill manages this book, so you’ll find an abundance of betting options, great parlay cards, money lines on virtually all the games and the best future book in town. Of course all the numbers are at market price, so if you are shopping for an off number you probably won’t find one here.
The televisions abound. There is a set of eight in a room just off the sports book. Also next to the bar is another set of eight. The bar itself also has another ten perched high. Within the sports book proper are another set of ten TVs, however they are often shared or used for horseracing.
Seating within the book is also sometimes sparse, as many seats are reserved for horseplayers. However in the two anterooms and at the bar there is a bit of seating, but often not enough to accommodate everyone.
The ticket writers here are hit and miss. One gentleman in particular is one of the best in town. You’re taking your chances with some of the rest. Check your tickets carefully.
The bar has a nice selection of beers on tap and in bottles. Bartenders and cocktail waitresses are pleasant and efficient. There are plenty of seats around the bar for good viewing, too, but you won’t be able to see all the games.
On the downside, William Hill does not give out drink tokes. If that is your reason for being in a sportsbook, this is the wrong place. A quick bite to eat can be a problem, as well. There is nothing in very near vicinity, but an Asian noodle restaurant is across the casino. On the second floor there a coffee shop and the Brew Brothers with good salads, sandwiches and the like for easy takeout. They also have a coffee bar next to the coffee shop if indeed all you want is some caffeine and a baked good.
Photo: Eldorado Reno Flickr
#1 Peppermill
What sets this book apart is the service. It is second to none anywhere in the state of Nevada. In fact, most businesses of any kind could take a lesson from the type of service you get at the Peppermill. Besides the ticket writers all being pleasant, polite and knowledgeable, there always enough of them, up to ten on a football weekend. You might have to wait in line, but that is only because they have a lot of business.
In the primary viewing area, there is one large screen and eighteen smaller screens. Seating can be a problem. Again, the reason is they have so much business. It’s awfully hard to fault them for that. In the bar area, there is a raised floor with good viewing. To rear of the main viewing area is another set of eight televisions. More are sometimes used, but those are primarily for their race business, which is also the best in Reno.
At many of the seats are also individual televisions, so besides the view of the entire room, you can watch your own personal selection.
Drinks are given away easily, and the cocktail service is excellent. The bartenders at the sports bar are not always the nicest or most efficient, however. I would stick to the cocktail waitresses.
The sports deli is nearby. There is some seating available here, but not the best, with a view of perhaps only one television. The sandwiches, pizzas, and baked good are of the usual high Peppermill quality. A coffee bar is across the room, but the wait there can be uncomfortable if you have games going.
Betting wise, the Peppermill has good parlay cards, almost all football money lines, and uses a dime line in baseball. In football they also let you buy on to the three at -120, which is a huge plus to knowledgeable bettors. They also book the old-fashioned way; they take a bet and move the line. What a concept! You might find an off number here occasionally. As long as you bet what they allow you and don’t abuse it, they will take a nice size bet.
No book is perfect, however, and neither is the Peppermill. Their future book prices are some of the worst in the state. That’s really saying something, because Nevada’s are awful. The casino itself also almost forces you to get a player’s card. Prices are high for sandwiches and coffee, but you get a discount with a club card.
If you’re looking for me on a Saturday or Sunday during football season, you’ll likely see me at one of those locations. A few others I might stumble into are the Grand Sierra, John Ascuaga’s Nugget or the Tamarack. Each has its own advantages and disadvantages, but I can enjoy myself at any of those, as well.
Ed: Check out the commercial for this place!
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If you were going to be in town for NCAA Tournament, first 2 rounds, where would you want to be? I’m told some casinos setup separate rooms for games. Any thoughts appreciated.
In Reno? See the article you commented on. 🙂
In Vegas, see this article http://bit.ly/IaiN72