Grand Sierra's Shiny New Poker Room

Last year, Grand Sierra Resort was bought by a California investment group. This year, they started doing renovations throughout the property. This month, they finally got around to the poker room. They tore the old one down to the studs, and rebuilt it in the same spot. During the few weeks of construction, the poker room was relocated in an open space right next to the room.

This past weekend, the new room opened, and I went last night to check it out.

My first impression was Classy. From an aesthetic standpoint, the new room is a serious upgrade from the old room. As you can see, the walls have more color, the ceiling are wood paneled, and the lights above each table are fancier. The tables have new felt that sort of matches their blue $1 chips.

But, from a practical standpoint, I'm not sure this room is much better. It still has seven tables. Six of them are used regularly, and a smaller Stud table is only used a few times each year. The room has glass as part of the walls, but it's only fills up the space halfway, so all the music noise on weekends will still drown out the poker room.

The TVs have been upgraded to four larger models, which is a good thing. There seems to be a smaller TV that will be used for a tournament timer, which will definitely be an upgrade. The old room just used a kitchen timer that the Floor kept an eye on.

They now have a soda machine in the back of the room, which make them the 3rd room in Reno to get one (Peppermill & Atlantis being the other two). Right next the soda machine, they have a steam table that will be used for the buffet food that is brought in twice a day (around 3pm & 9pm).

So the big question is, "Will the new poker room improve GSR's status in the Reno market?"

I doubt it.

Right now, Peppermill is the PokerStars of the Reno poker market. They are the 800lb gorilla in Reno, and GSR's shiny new room isn't gonna affect the 'Mill. However, it is possible that GSR might be able to draw a few regulars from the Atlantis and Eldorado. Those three rooms are in the next tier of rooms below the 'Mill, and maybe the shiny new room will help establish GSR as the #2 poker room in Reno.

Last night was Monday night, which is traditionally a very slow night. They had two full tables for the 6:30 $60 donkament, and two full tables of $1/$2 NL at 8pm. That's pretty good for GSR, and it's probably due to players checking out the shiny new room.