MIA: (10) 50c, $1 : 99.54% JoB near the Contrada

MIA: (10) 50c, $1 : 99.73% NSUD near the Contrada

A recent quick check of the inventory shows many machine changes. NSUD is gone and most (all?) of the 9/6 JOB. The Siena is undergoing many changes and unfortunately the playable machines have taken a hit.

*** MIA - *** (3) 25c (10-coin) 10/6 DDB just west of table games (small sign on top of machines indicating 100% VP). (3) $1 (10-coin) 9/6 JoB PROG (RF) in high-limit area.

*** MIA - *** (8) $1 (10-coin) 9/7 DB PROG in high-limit area near slot club (3) 25c/50c/$1 (10-coin) 9/6 JoB MG/MD IGT machines near the cashier. 25c 8/5 BP uprights near the hotel end of the casino. (3) 25c/50c/$1 (3/5 Play) 8/5 BP uprights near the Contrada coffee shop. (4) 25c/50c/$1 (3 Play) 8/5 BP uprights near the bacarrat tables.

Still one of the few Reno casinos with actual cashback. The quad cash bonus continues which requires max coin in, and is $2 on $.01/$.10 games, $5 on $.25/$.50 games, $10 on $1/$2 games, and $25 on $5-$25 games (excluding deuces or jokers and 50/100 play machines). Double quad bonus on sundays and 5x pts on mondays has been reinstated. Double comps on tuesdays and wednesdays.

Siena now has 25c 10 coin 10/6 DDB (100.07%) in 3 machines located just west of the table games. You must play 10 coins to get full pay as the 5 coin RF is only 1500 credits. There's a small sign on top of the machines indicating 100% VP.

*** MIA - *** (8) $1 (10-coin) 9/6 JOB PROG in high-limit area near slot club

*** MIA - *** 5c (10-coin) NSUD PROG (4) 25c (10-coin) 10/7 DB MG/MD slant-tops near the video poker bar.

*** MIA - *** (4) 5c/10c/25c PKM Game Makers near the hotel entrance. (4) 25c PKM Game Maker slant-tops near the hotel entrance.

Interesting developments at Siena: since they are converting their inventory to TITO, they hand pay on many (what seemed like most) machines. This can be a disadvantage for players who like to jump from game to game frequently. Also, they pay a bonus for each full pay quad. The amount differs for each denomination, $2 on a quarter game. I don't play wild card games, but I'm sure the quad must be natural to qualify. Finally, the folks at the slot club told me that they have changed the cashback/comps formula, and it seems less generous now. I live in Virginia Beach but will be back in Reno this July and can investigate more fully at that time.

While the comp formula may have changed (we haven't actually seen evidence that it's different), as of very recently cashback was the same as before. The main thing that's new is that you can now cash out your comps, depending on your tier level. The tier levels are new. Platinum players can cash out $3 in comps for $1 cash, Gold players can cash out $4 in comps to get $1 cash, Bronze players can cash out $5 in comps for $1 cash, and all other players can cash out $6 in comps for $1 in cash. There are limits on amount you can cash out in a day, and you must maintain a minimum comp balance (differemt for each tier level), i.e. you can't drain your comp account completely to zero by cashing it out. The tier level requirements are quarterly, and are: 5000 pts for Bronze, 10000 pts for Gold, and 20000 pts for Platinum. Points accrue at 1/$7 slot action and 1/$14 VP action. Table game and Keno players also have formulas for tier status.

I have been playing one day/month putting 1000 points on the card ($14K coin in) and I receive a coupon for two free nights twice a month, their bonus cashback promotion, and also in a separate mailing two 5X points days/month with BB between $50-$100. Other special event offers as well. (Twice a month=two designated periods, i. e. first half/second half) You accumulate comps at a pretty good rate for food. The coffee shop is way cheap, but Lexie's is more expensive and much improved with a new chef. At Lexie's your bill for two could be as much as $130 or so, more if you have a bottle of wine.

I've stayed there quite a bit over the last year or so. I like staying there because they have the best bedding by far of all the Reno hotels. The suites are very nicely decorated and the bath products are from Bath and Body Works. The soaking tubs in the suites are quite relaxing as well. Room service, so far, has been excellent. They are prompt; they get the order right every time; and, the food is pretty good as far as room service goes. On the otherhand, there does seem to be some issues with the infrastructure. They provide free internet, but good luck getting it to work. It is very spotty and hit and miss, both the wireless and the ethernet. They make up for this somewhat by providing free internet access to hotel guests in their business center. We have also had issues with the heater not working. One time we were moved from a room with a heater that didn't work to another one where the shower would not provide hot water (the sink, tub, etc did -- but not the walk-in shower). The cordless phones may or may not have a love battery in them. So on some levels, they are a very nice play to stay, but they don't quite go that extra step and invest in their infrastructure. The casino is small, which I like. But contrary to Hamstocken's opinion, I have found it to be quite smoky at times. Because the place is small, if you have a smoker near you, especially a cigar smoker (and by near I mean a couple of banks away), the smoke and odor can be overwhelming. The ventilation system is not the best. The staff is very friendly and I think they have some of the friendliest slot attendants around. The 9/6 jacks are on slant tops, which is a huge plus for me. Food-wise, there are not a lot of choices, but I like what they have. The coffee shop in quite inexpensive and the food is decent as far as coffee shop fare goes. Lexie's is top notch. There new menu has a nice variety and the quality is very nice. They have an extensive wine list with some nice wines. They also have a wine bar with live jazz music most nights. The biggest negative to me with the Siena though, is the feeling of safety. The dregs of society wnader through fairly often. They are accross the street from a run down motel which seems to attract junkies and alcoholics. My friend was hit up for money when he was cashing out on a machine when the slot attendant was right there. I do feel uncomfortable going there by myself if I am not actually staying there. And I am always very watchful going into the elevator. Overall, I do like the Siena. I wish they had better games, but I also know a few pros playing a positive game there could break them, as they are a very small casino - so I don't blame them for not offering more. I think if they worked on the infrastructure and if they extended more efforts to keeping the junkies off the property, it would be hard to beat them in Reno if you want a nice, friendly, relaxing place to stay. Because they are smaller and don't have a huge number of high rollers there, a quarter player can get treated fairly well there in terms of comps and the like.

Siena has doubled their 4 OAK bonus promotion for play sunday through thusrday.