HAL offer Black Jack Lessons in Casino?

[SweetP2]

We have been practicing with friends how to play black jack. We wanted to confirm what we've been taught is indeed correct, and need some confidence before sitting down at a table in the casino :)

 

Anyone know if HAL offers black jack lessons onboard?

 

Just over a month away - will be purchasing our casino chips shortly :D

 

SP

[cb at sea]

Check with the casino the 1st night...they can tell you if and when they offer lessons.

 

Playing at home is not always the same as in a casino.....a lesson is definitely the way to go if you're unsure.

 

You are trying to beat the dealer, rather than trying to get 21!!!!!

 

 

You can download a "cheat sheet" from the internet, which will show you exactly what you should do on each hand, based on the dealer's "up" card. Use it....it will give you your best odds.

[hensghan]

It seems to me that I recall seeing something in the daily planner regarding casino game lessons but, since I'm not much of a gambler, I didn't pay any real attention to it. Since HAL really wants folks to gamble in their casinos, it would only make sense that they offer such instructions. I'm sure they will accommodate you. Good luck!

[ShipsAreTheBest]

Nothing beats the real thing, but if you want to play (for free, with coaching, at home) try this link:

 

http://www.blackjackinfo.com/aftergame.php

 

When you pull the trainer screen up, select the following options:

 

4 decks

Dealer stands on 17

Double any card

Double OK after split

No surrender

Offer insurance on dealer Ace

Strategy coach on

 

You bet (not real money) - you have a thousand dollars to play with - fun to see if you are up or down. The computer will tell you what you should do if you make a move that it thinks, strategically, is a bad move. Point to remember, just like in the real game, sometimes you make a play that isn't "correct" and the dealer still busts and you win.

 

In either case, good luck and have fun when you get to play for real on the cruise. Just know how much you are willing to part with and know when to walk away - always good advice in a casino!

[GPoll189]

ShipsAreTheBest

 

Just want to clear some of the information that you posted for the OP. On the ships of Carnival, which includes HAL, the rules are a little different than what you posted.

 

It is 8 decks they use, not 4

Surrendering is allowed, but usually no one does it,

Dealer stays on both soft and hard 17

Everything else you mentioned is correct.

 

However, I just want to let the OP know that on some nights in addition to the regular blackjack games there will be varieties of blackjack games which have different rules. Examples: of these are, face up black jack and fun 21. Each of these varieties have different rules that pertain to the pay outs and the amount of cards in the deck.

 

Usually on the first night there is a very inexpensive table where people who want to learn and not lose a lot of money play. Like another poster I would recommend downloading a strategy card. You can use this card at the table. I never leave home without it. It will give you the best odds of winning but it all depends on the people you play with and also the cards you get.

[SweetP2]

Check with the casino the 1st night...they can tell you if and when they offer lessons.

 

Playing at home is not always the same as in a casino.....a lesson is definitely the way to go if you're unsure.

 

You are trying to beat the dealer, rather than trying to get 21!!!!!

 

 

You can download a "cheat sheet" from the internet, which will show you exactly what you should do on each hand, based on the dealer's "up" card. Use it....it will give you your best odds.

 

Thanks CB at Sea - you have already validated the strategy our friends have been teaching us - you are trying to beat the dealer!!!! Phew, now we need more practice. Yipee, we'll have 14 days to do that onboard.

 

Oh a cheat sheet - will check into that, thanks for the tip.

 

SP

[SweetP2]

Thanks to ShipsAretheBest, Hensghan and GPoll189 for more information provided.

 

I like the link to practice with not my money!

 

We always walk into a casino (slots before) with a certain limit to play...once that is done, we walk away from the "entertainment" ;)

 

We'll check with the casino the first evening...cheap tables too...like that just to try it before a lesson :p

 

SP

[ShipsAreTheBest]

GPoll189

 

Thanks - I actually wasn't sure how many decks they use (shows how much I pay attention!) That trainer allows you to play with only one deck, but I knew that wasn't right! The trainer only allows selection of dealer staying or hitting on soft 17, so that's why I said select stay (since that will replicate the HAL rules).