Any hints to effective gambling on cruise ships?

I do like to gamble but I have heard that the payout on ships is the worst in the industry. I also know that cruise ships tend to have some loss leaders to get people into the casino and other places to buy things... any suggestions? :) Thanks!

I guess it depends on your game and how you play. I play cheaply at craps ($5 mostly, $10 if I'm feeling giddy), bet the don't pass line, and 7 out of 8 cruises I've come out ahead by at least a whopping $40. The other cruise I broke even.

The problem I run into is that craps is only fun with a bunch of people and sometimes it is hard to get a group going.

On our last two cruises, on Vision and Anthem, the casino was offering $5 complimentary slot bets to those I believe hadn't played in the casino by day 3 or 4 of our 14 and 12 night cruises. We hadn't. We got a message on the cabin's TV and a letter in our cabin detailing this offer. I won $38 on Anthem and DW won around $25 on Vision using this. We didn't stay beyond using our free play credit as the casino was too smoke containing with some not playing the slots or tables and simply using it as an indoor smoking area. These people tended to hid in the slop machine areas.

The credit had to be played until used up and couldn't be cashed out. We kept track of our winnings and cashed out when we hit that amount on the slot we were playing unless it was a small amount.

I didn't bother playing Blackjack, my usual casino game, as now this only pays out 6 to 5 for a blackjack unless you are playing the high stakes game like the $100 minimum which paid out the traditional 3 to 2. Also the dealer is allowed to hit a soft 17 which further lowers ones odds of winning.

Also there is no longer any Platinum or higher C&A status discounts for tournaments.

I feel that the slots pay more often at the beginning of the cruise and tighten up towards the end.

I guess it depends on your game and how you play. I play cheaply at craps ($5 mostly, $10 if I'm feeling giddy), bet the don't pass line, and 7 out of 8 cruises I've come out ahead by at least a whopping $40. The other cruise I broke even.

 

The problem I run into is that craps is only fun with a bunch of people and sometimes it is hard to get a group going.

They must love you at the table, lol.

Keep an eye on the cruise planner for things like free spins, drink specials at the casino bar, etc and don't go to the casino to gamble...go there to play games that cost money. Find games where your money can last a long time like roulette, 3 card poker or even the poker tournaments. If you see an empty table go ask the dealer to show you how to play and how to bet. The dealers WANT you to win because when you do, they usually make more in tips. They don't get bonuses when you lose so go their to have fun and be willing to lose everything you walk in with and expect to leave with nothing more than a good time.

The problem I run into is that craps is only fun with a bunch of people and sometimes it is hard to get a group going.

especially when you play the dark side

even though it is the ever so slightly better bet then the pass line

So does RCCL give free slots play as noted above on all ships?

especially when you play the dark side

 

even though it is the ever so slightly better bet then the pass line

Lol. Gosh, nobody wants to play with me!?! I can't figure out why, except I seem to be cheering when they are losing.

Hit two Royal Flushes (25cent slots) on a Celebrity cruise two years ago. Nice as it pretty much paid for the cruise.

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Keep an eye on the cruise planner for things like free spins, drink specials at the casino bar, etc and don't go to the casino to gamble...go there to play games that cost money. Find games where your money can last a long time like roulette, 3 card poker or even the poker tournaments. If you see an empty table go ask the dealer to show you how to play and how to bet. The dealers WANT you to win because when you do, they usually make more in tips. They don't get bonuses when you lose so go their to have fun and be willing to lose everything you walk in with and expect to leave with nothing more than a good time.

This! I enjoy my time in the casino. I have won a lot and lost a lot. But always have a great time with no expectations :)

especially when you play the dark side

 

 

 

even though it is the ever so slightly better bet then the pass line

I’ve actually done pretty good playing the “Don’t Pass” or betting on the Casino to win.

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I’ve actually done pretty good playing the “Don’t Pass” or betting on the Casino to win.

 

 

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Yes, it's not a bad bet. But when you talk about Craps being social and enjoy the group atmosphere, betting against the group is strange. The bets are almost identical, with Don't Pass being like .05% better odds. It's trivial for a person playing casually.

Refer to Kenny Rogers.

I played BJ on the Carnival Breeze and had the ability to walk away when I was ahead.

Yes, it's not a bad bet. But when you talk about Craps being social and enjoy the group atmosphere, betting against the group is strange. The bets are almost identical, with Don't Pass being like .05% better odds. It's trivial for a person playing casually.

When I use this strategy, I always pass on the dice to be fair to the other players. It’s rare I play with the house

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Always split Aces & 8’s.

Double down on 10 & 11 if dealer showing 10 or less.

Play the third slot machine from the left.

Don’t play craps if there is a left handed croupier.

Roulette spins repeat every 46th 1/3 spins.

Best trip I’ve had so far, played 8 hours and came out even. Then I realized I was playing the change machine.

Always split Aces & 8’s.

 

Double down on 10 & 11 if dealer showing 10 or less.

 

Play the third slot machine from the left.

 

Don’t play craps if there is a left handed croupier.

 

Roulette spins repeat every 46th 1/3 spins.

 

Best trip I’ve had so far, played 8 hours and came out even. Then I realized I was playing the change machine.

I like the first slot machine on the right.

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I guess it depends on your game and how you play. I play cheaply at craps ($5 mostly, $10 if I'm feeling giddy), bet the don't pass line, and 7 out of 8 cruises I've come out ahead by at least a whopping $40. The other cruise I broke even.

 

The problem I run into is that craps is only fun with a bunch of people and sometimes it is hard to get a group going.

"Don't Pass/Don't Come". On land or sea, generally as close as playing by "with the house," as you can get. Consider the fact, however, that you will lose over the long haul as to succumb to the "intermittent reinforcement" that keeps Vegas going. A better way to look at it might be your losses representing the cost of an evening's entertainment.

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I feel that the slots pay more often at the beginning of the cruise and tighten up towards the end.

they dont-.

it would take a technician physically opening each and every machine and replacing some of the chips.

you can order the machine with any house advantage you want to be prograamed onto the chips, you just cant change it once its been set on the chip without reflashing the chip to rewrite it.

"Don't Pass/Don't Come". On land or sea, generally as close as playing by "with the house," as you can get. Consider the fact, however, that you will lose over the long haul as to succumb to the "intermittent reinforcement" that keeps Vegas going. A better way to look at it might be your losses representing the cost of an evening's entertainment.

 

 

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Yes. The Casino is just good entertainment for me. I just enjoy some nights over others.

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I find i always win because i don't go in to the casino because i don't gamble.

Always split Aces & 8’s.

 

Double down on 10 & 11 if dealer showing 10 or less.

 

Play the third slot machine from the left.

 

Don’t play craps if there is a left handed croupier.

 

Roulette spins repeat every 46th 1/3 spins.

 

Best trip I’ve had so far, played 8 hours and came out even. Then I realized I was playing the change machine.

I find i always win because i don't go in to the casino because i don't gamble.

But Graham, just think of all the fun you are missing. And if you play enough, you can get some of those FREE drinks using the better alcohol and beer/wine. You might even get a bottle of wine sent to your room compliments of the Casino Host.

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I like the first slot machine on the right.

 

 

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A machine on the right, that's a surprise.

A machine on the right, that's a surprise.

I’m glad you picked up on that ? [emoji23]

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