Casino on the Cheap... How does that Work? Recommendations? What Do You Do?

[oceanseagle12]

LOL! Let's see how much more we can confuse him:p

 

 

Or I can answer his questions. :rolleyes:

[davenew]

i'll just preface this by saying i could count the times i've gambled in any casino on my two hands... i'm not a big roller, and it really doesn't offer the allure it seems to for others... to me...

 

my greatest experience was in vegas, where i played roulette for hours on a $20 buy in... i figured out how roulette works, and played for about 5 hrs... and many drinks later... still walked away ahead... :) (by about 15x = 300 :D)

 

but in my limited gaming experience on carnival, i blew through cash on roulette (because of $5 outside bets vs. $1 in vegas) and on the slots (i think they're rigged pretty steep)... and quickly realized this wasn't an equitable enterprise... :o

 

i've read about people playing penny / nickle / dime slots, but you have to play a few 'options' at a time? and sometimes if you have a bunch of 'options', even on a cheap slot, there can be a far greater payout? you can play a penny slot, but have 20 something 'spots', what? :confused:

 

what do you do in the casino, when you don't want to blow through (or put on the line) a lot of cash, and just want to have a little fun.

 

mind you, i wouldn't care if i lost it all... i just want more than a few minutes of entertainment while doing as much...

 

open to any suggestions / recommendations... :D

 

I've only been on 3 Carnival (any) cruises before, and, like you, I am not a big gambler (cant understand craps or poker at all) but like to "amuse" myself on the slots.

The comments I can remember, relate to people having a lot of luck and winning on the first 2/3 days of the cruise, but giving it back (and more) over the remainder of the cruise.

So I guess they are rigged and should only be played on the first few days. ;)

[Elationismyship]

What about playing the blackjack or slot tournaments? Gives you a little variety, won't run through 20 bucks in 30 seconds, and there is an outside chance you could win $500.

 

For the slot tournament:

 

The slot tournament is typically over a 2-3 hour period. It's $20 to get in and you sit with 9 other players and play 300 credits. 300 credits would really cost $75.00. Any winnings just accumulate on your machine. Once your 300 credits are done, if you total winnings score is one one of the top 10 highest scores you go on the leader board. At the end of the 2-3 hour period there is a play off round. So you just check to see if you are still on the board and if you are you get to play again for free. The three top winners of the play off round win $500 for first $200 for second and champagne for three place. All players in the final round typically get some sort of trinket also. It's a lot of fun, people are cheering, and my husband and I made it into the final round out of the 10 or so times we've played, probably 5 times. I actually won the $500 once!

 

For the blackjack tournament:

 

The Blackjack tournament is typically over a 2-3 hour period also. It's $20 to get in, you get $1000 in chips (10 $100 chips) and you sit with 7 other players and play 10 hands. You can put as much down as you want for each hand they deal. Some start off slow, others play $500 up front, etc. At the end of 10 hands, if your total chips score is one one of the top 8 highest scores you go on the leader board. There is a little more strategy in the blackjack tournament because if you know what the tops scores on the leader board are, you know to put all your chips in at the end of the rounds to maximize winnings. At the end of the 2-3 hour period there is a play off round too, so again, you just check to see if you are still on the board and if you are you get to play again for free. What I've seen is the three top winners of the play off round win $500 for first $200 for second and champagne for three place. All players in the final round typically get some sort of trinket also. I actually made it into the final round of blackjack one time.

 

You can play more than once if you don't make it onto the leader board.

[G'ma]

I've found my money goes the furthest at the card tables. I love Caribbean Stud and have sat at a table for hours on a small amount of cash.

 

I also love blackjack.

 

My gambling money is separate and aside from other expenses that have been budgeted in to my cruise vacation. I have a gambling "stash" at home where loose change, loose one's, etc are tossed. Whatever is in there is what's used.

 

The only place I gamble is when cruising and whatever the amount is, when it's gone, it's gone. Also, if I double my money on a given evening at the table, I leave......

 

It amazes me when I watch folks hit their sign and sail card for more cash to play....especially the slots. I know we all hear of those "big wins" on slot machines...but we rarely hear from those who've jacked their onboard account up hundreds of dollars from losing....or who have spent 200.00 in quarters to win a 100.00 jackpot, etc...

 

For me, shipboard gambling is just another treat and part of the cruise experience...like going to the shows or dancing in the lounge, etc. I don't gamble to "win", I gamble because I like the atmosphere and the fun. If I win, that's great....if I lose....I've lost nothing but coffee can change.

[happy cruzer]

As much as people will tell you that they change the slots payouts every night, this is simple not true. The cruise lines follow the same rules set down by the nevada gaming commission. They are not required to but they do. The payout rates are the same as land based casinos in nevada.

 

When I worked in gaming in Nevada a good friend of mine left to work on slots on both carnival and RCI, He told me the real truth about about slots on ships and it sounds just like the information in land based casinos.

 

Slots including video poker vary alot on land and in Nevada. The payback range can be very big even inside the same casino. Regarding video poker, on land it is common to find a few machines in a casino that will have pay schedule that is close to 100 per cent. On cruises, I have never seen a schedule that will get even 90 per cent. The video poker has a much worse pay schedule than any land based casino so why would slots be any different?

[windsmith]

Just spent a lot of time in the casino on the Imagination, and what I noticed about the slots is that they seemed to be loose early in the cruise, and then got very tight as time went on. It seemed they were tightest around the time of the 'fun day at sea'. I'd recommend staying away from the slots, especially after the first day. Slots are a big money maker for the casino.

 

The best games for the player are craps and blackjack. The house has a very low edge on craps when the player places only a pass line bet backed with full odds. The house also has a very low edge on blackjack when you play based strictly on the common 'blackjack strategy'.

 

Oh, and those machines that shove quarters off the edge of a shelf - very addictive but not very profitable hehehehe

 

Hope this helps.

[s407o]

Oh, and those machines that shove quarters off the edge of a shelf - very addictive but not very profitable hehehehe

 

Hope this helps.

 

Those shove quarters off the edge machines have been known to drop quarters out of it when the boat is rocking really good!

[Kurbanfan]

The video poker has a much worse pay schedule than any land based casino

 

This is 100% correct!

[Kurbanfan]

It amazes me when I watch folks hit their sign and sail card for more cash to play....especially the slots. I know we all hear of those "big wins" on slot machines...but we rarely hear from those who've jacked their onboard account up hundreds of dollars from losing....or who have spent 200.00 in quarters to win a 100.00 jackpot' date=' etc...

 

[/quote']

 

Did you know that some of us use our debit cards and we already established a budget before our cruise:confused: So while you sit next to some of us and become amazed at us hitting our s&s cards for more cash........it is no different then you putting in you crisp $20 bill;)

[Kurbanfan]

 

you're entirely right. 3 reels... and on destiny, i pressed a button to start them going... but they stopped where they wanted to... i couldn't press a button to stop them... which i thought defeated the purpose... this was on the quarter slots, yes.

 

 

 

 

Falkcor on a 3 wheel, say a 3 quarter max machine.......you still have the option of bets........you can press 1, 2, or max bet.......

No machine has a option to stop......not sure why you would want to do this? But just remember by playing these machines with bonus rounds such as the wheel of fortune.........you have to bet max in order to get the extra spin........

Go to the casino while it is closed before sailing and just take a moment and check out all the machines.......

[Kurbanfan]

Or I can answer his questions. :rolleyes:

 

It was a joke dude.......lighten up......

[falkcor]

thanks everybody for your feedback :)

 

To confuse things even more on the penny machines a lot of them have bonus games.

 

Thanks, I’ll look into that, too…

 

We just want to have some fun.

 

That’s how I’m approaching it, also…

 

The comments I can remember, relate to people having a lot of luck and winning on the first 2/3 days of the cruise, but giving it back (and more) over the remainder of the cruise.

 

I’ve read that too, and I also intend to take advantage of the lower minimums on the first night @ table games…

 

What about playing the blackjack or slot tournaments? Gives you a little variety, won't run through 20 bucks in 30 seconds, and there is an outside chance you could win $500.

 

Now that sounds like a great idea!!! :D

 

Thanks for explaining how that works, I think I just might give that a shot…

 

I also love blackjack.

 

For me' date=' shipboard gambling is just another treat and part of the cruise experience... [/font']

 

I’m gonna give blackjack a shot… and that’s how I’m approaching the casino myself… Just a little bit of entertainment…

 

Slots are a big money maker for the casino.

 

The house also has a very low edge on blackjack when you play based strictly on the common 'blackjack strategy'.

 

Oh, and those machines that shove quarters off the edge of a shelf - very addictive but not very profitable hehehehe

 

I’ve witnessed the tight slots :eek: but yeah, I’m pretty well convinced I’ll try a little blackjack… and those machines that shove quarters – I don’t remember seeing those, but I’ll check that out, especially if there’s a hurricane chasing us and seas are rough lol!

 

Those shove quarters off the edge machines have been known to drop quarters out of it when the boat is rocking really good!

 

I’m totally going to try to take advantage of that :cool:

 

No machine has a option to stop......not sure why you would want to do this?

 

Go to the casino while it is closed before sailing and just take a moment and check out all the machines.......

 

I like to press the buttons to make the reels stop because then I feel like I have some control / affect – more a game of ‘skill’ than strictly ‘chance’

 

And I entirely intend to go just check out all the machines ;)

[rlwebst]

A question a little off topic. Can you get a second sign and sail card. This would be so my wife and I can play on the same account and rack up the points quicker rather than everything being divided on two different cards?

 

Anyone have the answer to this? Thanks

[oceanseagle12]

It was a joke dude.......lighten up......

 

my bad. :) What can I say, it has been a rough week, and Im lacking in the sleep department.

 

My cruise can't come soon enough. :D

[Luke gs Daddy]

Go buy or check out a book at the library on Blackjack. Learn the stratagies on what and when to hit. When in doubt at the table just ask. You do not want to make everyone upset. It could also cost people money.

 

Have fun.

[Kurbanfan]

Anyone have the answer to this? Thanks

 

Everyone has a separate card......but different folio numbers....so no this won't work.........

I do know they are starting to do the joint players cards at some of the land casinos now........so maybe this will be something in the future for cruiselines.......

The rewards on cruise ships is so minimal right now though......so unless they come up with better comps....it wouldn't be worth our while.......

[windsmith]

Did you know that some of us use our debit cards and we already established a budget before our cruise:confused: So while you sit next to some of us and become amazed at us hitting our s&s cards for more cash........it is no different then you putting in you crisp $20 bill;)

 

Here's a tip for all of us that bristle every time we have to pay that $6 to get cash out of the ship's ATM. If you need cash, go to the casino, put your S&S card into a slot machine, then load it with as much cash as you need. Then pull your card, take it to the cashier, and ask them to give you the balance on the card in cash. There's no charge if you do this. Just don't be tempted to pull the slot handle before you get your cash, because it'll end up costing you more than $6. :)

[Trplnckl]

Falkcor, the best advice I could give you is on the first night go down to the casino and look around for that little old gray lady playing the slots(she's in every casino I've ever been in). Watch her for a couple of minutes and then ask her to explain to you what she's doing. I'm betting she's be more than happy to tell you.

[Casino Player]

i'll just preface this by saying i could count the times i've gambled in any casino on my two hands... i'm not a big roller, and it really doesn't offer the allure it seems to for others... to me...

 

my greatest experience was in vegas, where i played roulette for hours on a $20 buy in... i figured out how roulette works, and played for about 5 hrs... and many drinks later... still walked away ahead... :) (by about 15x = 300 :D)

 

but in my limited gaming experience on carnival, i blew through cash on roulette (because of $5 outside bets vs. $1 in vegas) and on the slots (i think they're rigged pretty steep)... and quickly realized this wasn't an equitable enterprise... :o

 

i've read about people playing penny / nickle / dime slots, but you have to play a few 'options' at a time? and sometimes if you have a bunch of 'options', even on a cheap slot, there can be a far greater payout? you can play a penny slot, but have 20 something 'spots', what? :confused:

 

what do you do in the casino, when you don't want to blow through (or put on the line) a lot of cash, and just want to have a little fun.

 

mind you, i wouldn't care if i lost it all... i just want more than a few minutes of entertainment while doing as much...

 

open to any suggestions / recommendations... :D

 

 

HHHHHEEEEELLLLLLLLLLOOOOO Falcor: In Las Vegas they have lower minimums than in most other places. That is why Las Vegas is such a great place to learn how to play casino games.

On most cruise lines they have higher minimums. Slot machines are set before a cruise and don't have good paybacks like they do in Las Vegas. Las Vegas I believe gives you the best payback on slots. Table games are roughly the same odds regardless of where you play. Some casinos have slighly different practices which can affect the payback slightly. For expample, in Atlantic City they allow a player to make a $35 buy bet on the 4 or 10 for $1 instead of $20. And most casinos will allow a $25 buy bet on the 4 or 10 although the actual buy is set for a $20 buy.

Your best bet for a low roller, we all have been low rollers at one time or other, is play at the craps table. That game has the lowest percentage advatage for the House. Play the Pass Line. Take full odds. If your numbers start hitting then make some Come bets and take full odds. Also, low percent advantage for the House. If your Come bets start hitting several times then make more Come bets for the table minimum. When they hit you make another Come bet. After it gets hit several times make more Come bets taking full odds. After you have a Pass Line bet and several Come bets working and they hit then up your bets off the table minimum and your odds. When the shooter sevens out then start over at the table minimum.

You should be able to have some fun. Craps is the most social game of all the casino games. You interact with other players and with Casino employees.

Have some fun and enjoy your casino experience.

[popsec]

I spend alot (and i do mean alot) of time in the ship casinos and I can tell you what I've learned.....

 

Blackjack is one of the best games and you can play all night on $50 and still walk away with your money in the end if you follow basic strategy.

 

I have been in the "gaming" center at Saratoga racetrack and you can stop those machines in mid-spin but I've never seen that on cruise ship slot machines

 

The comps for casino players on Carnival are getting lots better. We went on a totally comped 8 day cruise in a suite in August thanks to the player's club (we also got another offer last week for a free suite on the Splendor the end of this month but with the cruise already booked for Nov 12th it just wouldn't work for us). I've also been on 3 casino VIP cruises where we get reduced cabin fares, drink cards for the casino and up to $1250 in cash just for showing up in the casino on a cruise.

 

As far as the payouts on the slot machines on cruise ships........no, they aren't the same as land-based casinos. We were told by the casino manager on the Miracle a couple years ago that the payout was 80%....the odd thing was that he didn't act ashamed or anything when he said it :eek:

 

I've found that I lose money alot faster on the 1 and 2 cent machines than on the quarter machines playing max bet of $.75 per spin

 

We play in the slot tournament on every cruise and my husband ended up winning it on our cruise a couple weeks ago....$500, a solid gold plastic ship on a stick and a casino ball cap :D

 

Just go and have fun and stick to your budgeted casino money

[Princesss]

ok, you're speaking the language of what i'm trying to understand...

 

9 to 250 lines. what the h does that mean, exactly?

 

how do you select the (not fun) 1 line, vs 9 or 250? that's part of what i don't understand...

 

There are a lot of blinky buttons lined up with words on them showing you what option each one is then when you push it you will see how much it will cost on the part where the numbers change - then you can look up at the top part of the machine what the payouts are for each thing and you can change it if you want

[rocking-m-cruiser]

Here's a tip for all of us that bristle every time we have to pay that $6 to get cash out of the ship's ATM. If you need cash, go to the casino, put your S&S card into a slot machine, then load it with as much cash as you need. Then pull your card, take it to the cashier, and ask them to give you the balance on the card in cash. There's no charge if you do this. Just don't be tempted to pull the slot handle before you get your cash, because it'll end up costing you more than $6. :)

 

 

WOW! Great idea! Thanks!

[Princesss]

Here's a tip for all of us that bristle every time we have to pay that $6 to get cash out of the ship's ATM. If you need cash, go to the casino, put your S&S card into a slot machine, then load it with as much cash as you need. Then pull your card, take it to the cashier, and ask them to give you the balance on the card in cash. There's no charge if you do this. Just don't be tempted to pull the slot handle before you get your cash, because it'll end up costing you more than $6. :)

 

OMG thats so creative !!!!!!!!!

[davy jones]

Legalized gambling is a tax on those who are not good at math.

 

Casinos exist because you will lose if you play long enough. If you find that casinos are fun, budget what you are willing to pay for that fun and stick to it.

[sc_wildman]

I agree, that for the most fun for your money, it's hard to beat playing craps. I played craps for the first time on my last cruise and won a total of $600.00. I started out with $20.00. If you play only the pass line and then back it with full odds after the point is made, the house has practically no edge. It's when you start making all those side bets that you can lose your money fast. I also really like the social aspect of craps.

As far as blackjack goes, learning basic strategy is fairly easy. Just go online and do a search for free online blackjack tutorials. There are quite a few out there and you can play blackjack for free and it will tell you when you make a mistake and the correct choice that should have been made. It won't take long before you are making the right choices nearly every hand. This doesn't mean you'll win the hand, but it wil teach you the right choices to give you the best chance to win. Also there are free craps games online and you can learn that game also.

I seldom play any of the slots any more. I find that i get really bored with them very quickly and much prefer the more social games.