I had half of one on Saturday. Definitely decent, correctly made, and at $24 (I think including tip), less than Legal Sea Foods.

Trip Report!

Went to encore for first time today. Previous casinos I've been to include Rio, Foxwoods and Commerce. I thought Encore was really nice looking, clean etc especially compared to FW lol. Anyways, I drove in with no issues. Parking was free today but the lady did say they validate. Love how they have the VP bar feels very Las Vegas. I opted to just play VP (not at bar). Looks like they have a variety of games, I didn't end up going upstairs to see poker room. Played some VP then waitress came over and I ordered a white russian. She comes over with this tiny ass white russian. I drink it down and I am wasted, they certainly don't water down drinks. I had 2 or 3. Ran hot af on VP but ended up going broke cause I was so drunk. Had enough comps for buffet so got free buffet ticket. Figured since it is 40 dollar buffet I might as well take advantage. Options were kinda limited but food was good. Waiter brought me some coffee and water so I could sober my ass up. After he poured my coffee I realized i was broke and didn't have any cash to tip him. I had a 10 dollar winner scratcher in my pocket. I left it on table for waiters before heading out. The drive home was aids and full of traffic but that's boston for ya. Would return to Encore especially if they get a sportsbook. Will have to come on a weekend to see how those crowds are.

Too bad they don't break out poker room revenue like PA does.

In the area visiting family, how long a trip from Newton after dinner tomorrow? Looks about 12 miles but don't really know the traffic situation north of Boston.

SuperSwag-
Wait a minute. You were in Vegas and only went to the Rio?

went to flamingo and some other casinos but only played poker at Rio. Random fact only time I ever hit straight flush at VP was at stratosphere.

Great to hear! I'll get one some time.

Depends quite a bit on how late your dinner is, whether or not (or how much of) you take the Pike or Storrow or Memorial Drives, what corner of Newton you are starting from, and even the drawbridges along your route. If I had to pick numbers, I'd guess 25 minutes to an hour to get there, but probably no more than 30 getting back.

The Encore thanks you for your degeneracy and we thank you for your degeneracy.

The “scratcher” tip was a M******* piece de resistance!

Donnybrook(s) at Encore: https://boston.cbslocal.com/2019/09/...verett-police/

Actually surprised there have been so few arrests there so far.

Could any of the regulars please tell me what the typical RFI bet size is at the 5/10 games there?

Trip Report:

Left Newton area around 6:00 PM and arrived Encore at 6:50 for a 12 mile ride during rush hour. I grew up in the western suburbs so I don't know much about north of Boston but this location for a casino is horrible. Too far off a major highway and I don't think any T access is close. It should have been located at the Seaport but that is Boston politics in action.

Location aside, the casino is stunning. Parked, found the poker room and had my Red card in 10 minutes and within 5 minutes I got my chips and was seated at a 1-3 table. If you Park near the north elevators they will take you right to the poker room on the 2nd floor of the casino.

The poker room is extremely nice and comfortable. The 2nd floor location is not ideal to attract new players but it works just fine. Staff is great, waitresses are readily available and tableside food service was good but on the expensive side - $14 for a La Frieda cheeseburger (it's a NYC thing which is odd) with no fries but tasty.

Played 1-3 NL against a group of loose weak players who were easily manipulated by high raises and the occasional all-in. Played for 3 hours and left up $250 after dinner costs and drink tips. I will definitely go back the next time I'm in the Boston area.

What? Too far off a major highway? 93 isn’t a major highway? And as far as T access, get to back bay, then take orange line to Sullivan Square and walk the 15 minutes or to Wellington and take the Encore provided shuttle.
And thanks for letting us all know that you can take the North elevators directly to the poker room. I’m surprised that hasn’t been mentioned 20xs itt

My comment about location was really in reference to the newer casinos in the DC/Baltimore area are in very convenient locations and very accessible.

Casinos in major city centers will now be the norm and shouldn't be relegated to an industrial suburb area.

It's 1 mile off a "major highway". I know because I've done it, so idk how that is too far. And, why on Earth would you make that commute at 6 pm? As if the seaport would have better traffic, that area is booming right now.

This.

Anyone who thinks the location is "inconvenient" is totally unfamiliar with Boston.

Do you really think a tourist staying in Boston thinks that is an easy destination?

A business traveler to Boston would never stay at the casino it's way too inconvenient.

The hardcore gamblers will find this location is great the casual fish will not.

Tourists just Uber everywhere no matter the city. It doesn't matter.

As already stated by a few others ITT, Encore is pretty close to a major highway. It’s also accessible by MBTA via connecting EBH shuttle from Wellington (5-8 mins).

It’s pretty easy to Uber there as well, which I assume is the preferred method of transportation for those who opt not to drive.

I’m not sure how familiar you are with Seaport, but Boston traffic is generally worse than Everett traffic, in my experience.

I think that YOU are unfamiliar with the area because Encore is very easy to get to from Boston via subway, car or Uber. Four people familiar with the area are telling you this and you refuse to believe us

I spent the first 21 years of my life in Boston and then worked in Boston for 5 years. The majority of my family still lives in Boston. I had never been in Everett before last night.

My mother who has lived in the Boston burbs for 60 years has never been in that part of of the Boston and she goes to Mohegan for concerts.

As I said before it's a great location for a regular gambler. There were no "casual" gamblers in the room last night according to the dealers I spoke with. I went to the Red Sox game yesterday and spoke to a bunch of tourists and nobody knew there was a new casino in town.

There was never any reason to go to Everett before. That's why you had never been there, not because it was hard to get there. I live in Boston and according to Google maps it is about the same time by driving or T to get to Encore in Everett or the Harpoon Brewery in the seaport.

Anecdotally, there have been at least one person new to casino poker every time I have played at Encore, including midweek. And some tourists.

I do get that you wish it was more convenient to Newton during rush hour though. Both the traffic and the T suck during rush hour.

Given that they cleaned up basically a hazardous waste dump, I think the location is ideal. There's no room left in Boston, it's time to invest in places like Everett, Chelsea, Revere. Long overdue.

Uh, what about those games at The Silver Fox? Where else could you get a $300 stack with chips from three different chip sets?

My aunt and mother live in Newton.

Are there bus options for them or do they have to drive/Uber?