Thinking of dabbling in the casino for the first time..advice?

[4774Papa]

We took a cruise on Princess in 2007 and walked through the casino in awe:o but never dabbled as we had no idea what to do!

 

Feeling a tad braver this time but what would be the the best advice you could give to a couple of casino virgins? (btw we have a generous obc supplied by X but don't want to blow this soley on the casino)...any suggestions would be appreciated.

 

Cheers

FG x

Have your donation set before you go into the casino. Once you lose it, stop.

If you hit a jackpot or big win early and are ahead, stop and cash in.

[cwayne]

We've learned that the casino is for "entertainment" and as such set a limit for the evening and when that's gone, we stop. The slots are NOT regulated as to what percentage they have to return as they are in the U.S and they return FAR less. You'll win a little, but if you watch your overall amount, you will see that it is gradually going down. On our last cruise, the Blackjack tables were using 10 decks.......NO WAY are the odds even. So, if you enjoy the ambience of the casino and the "possibility" that you might win, then by all means enjoy it and think of it as an evening of fun!:) ps. Every cruise I say that I'm not going into the casino on the next cruise, and then I see the lights and hear the bells, and in I go!:o

[NukeIT]

I play craps and often it looks just the way you suggested, but the key is to take money off the table as you are winning. When a 7 does come up, it looks like everyone has lost a fortune, but check their chip stacks. Yes, had they pulled all of their bets, they would have made more, but you have to play to get paid :)

 

I am one to always clear my winnings... However, I may bet a little more when I am up

[TLCOhio]

Here are my two biggest impressions on the casino from our Solstice cruising in the Med last June.

 

1. Clean/no smoking: As we walked through there, it was smoke-free, well lighted, clean, etc. Surprisingly nice!!

 

2. Donations?: At the end of shows in the main theatre, the Cruise Director would mention and plug options for the rest of the evening. This included the casino. BUT, a case of some humor and great honesty, he encouraged and thanked people for their . . . "DONATIONS" when using the casino. True!!

 

That's why we just walked through the casino and skipped our opportunity to make "donations" to Celebrity's bottom-line.

 

THANKS! Enjoy! Terry in Ohio

 

Did a June 7-19, 2011, Solstice cruise from Barcelona that had stops in Villefranche, ports near Pisa and Rome, Naples, Kotor, Venice and Dubrovnik. Enjoyed great weather and a wonderful trip. Dozens of wonderful visuals with key highlights, tips, comments, etc., on these postings. We are now at 64,728 views for this live/blog re-cap on our first sailing with Celebrity and much on wonderful Barcelona. Check these postings and added info at:

http://www.boards.cruisecritic.com/showthread.php?t=1426474

[lenquixote66]

I was always told never to go to the casino on the last night of the cruise ,however ,that is when I seem to win the most .

[cruiseorbust]

The best odds in the casino are in the change machine. You put $1 in and get 4 quarters out. All of the other machines will give less return.

 

You are completely right! The ship casinos have all odds in their favor and they have been super tight!!

[TLCOhio]

You are completely right! The ship casinos have all odds in their favor and they have been super tight!!

 

"Super tight" is bad for slot machines. In neighboring Indiana, they post detailed stats on the machine pay-outs by the various casinos and types of machines. The best places payout about 93 cents on the dollar. Others are more in the range for paying 88-91 cents on each dollar put into the machine. In Las Vegas, the "local" places away from the Strip pay out best, while machines are "tighter" for the big name casino places in the heart of the tourist/convention areas.

 

Buyer beware!! "Loose" is not what Celebrity and most cruise lines seek, provide or want. Unless, you're "lucky", maybe!!

 

THANKS! Enjoy! Terry in Ohio

 

Did a June 7-19, 2011, Solstice cruise from Barcelona that had stops in Villefranche, ports near Pisa and Rome, Naples, Kotor, Venice and Dubrovnik. Enjoyed great weather and a wonderful trip. Dozens of wonderful visuals with key highlights, tips, comments, etc., on these postings. We are now at 64,728 views for this live/blog re-cap on our first sailing with Celebrity and much on wonderful Barcelona. Check these postings and added info at:

http://www.boards.cruisecritic.com/showthread.php?t=1426474

[miched]

.

 

 

Steve Wynn gives the best advise. If you want to make money in a casino own it.

 

 

Here is another tidbit but don't know the source. The best way to end up with a small fortune in a casino is to start with a large one.

 

 

 

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[ghstudio]

On our last cruise, the Blackjack tables were using 10 decks.......NO WAY are the odds even. :o

 

The odds on blackjack are the same no matter how many decks are used.....and using more decks does not alter those odds towards the house or towards you.

[FrankinPA]

I play craps and often it looks just the way you suggested, but the key is to take money off the table as you are winning. When a 7 does come up, it looks like everyone has lost a fortune, but check their chip stacks. Yes, had they pulled all of their bets, they would have made more, but you have to play to get paid :)

 

You are correct, of course. What I observed was that the stacks being bet were getting larger on each throw and people letting their winnings ride. Then WHAM! The ship took it back. No doubt some were still ahead. Fun to watch!

 

I did see a lady at the slots the first night hit a $1600.00 jackpot. The casino manager really played it up to everyone who would listen of course. Sure he got it back the same evening. Nothing like the occasional big winner to bring home the suckers.

[ghstudio]

Nothing like the occasional big winner to bring home the suckers.

 

The odds at the tables are fixed although they can be changed slightly by altering the standing rules. The odds, of course, are in favor of the house...but that's over time. Players are playing for short term gains and at times, they are winning, even though if they continued over time they would lose according to the odds. They are not suckers, although that is the general thinking of those that don't gamble or don't understand that gambling (at the tables) is odds based.

 

I have seen many walk away from the craps table wiped out after 10 minutes. I have seen some walk away with lots of chips after playing for an hour. If you understand the odds, you aren't a sucker.....

[FrankinPA]

The odds at the tables are fixed although they can be changed slightly by altering the standing rules. The odds, of course, are in favor of the house...but that's over time. Players are playing for short term gains and at times, they are winning, even though if they continued over time they would lose according to the odds. They are not suckers, although that is the general thinking of those that don't gamble or don't understand that gambling (at the tables) is odds based.

 

I have seen many walk away from the craps table wiped out after 10 minutes. I have seen some walk away with lots of chips after playing for an hour. If you understand the odds, you aren't a sucker.....

 

My reference to suckers was on the slots. But come to think of it, anyone who thinks they are going to win in a any casino game over the long haul is the person who the casino owners want to welcome. PT Barnum referred to them in connection with the midway games when he said one was born every minute.

[msbptg]

For me its the "don,t come" bets and the hardways.. Go figure..

[bluewhite]

Imho the best odds are at Black Jack and the Video Poker machines. On our last cruise Both dh and myself won big jackpots on them. Paid for our cruise.:D Set a limit per day and have fun.

[gymjudge55]

I play at casinos...a lot...and to me the key is 1. set a limit and stick to it 2. bet a little, take a little. As soon as I am up $25, that goes in the purse. 9 trips to Vegas and many others to casinos all over the country and I am quite a bit up. I don't play slots very much and try to minimize bad streaks.

[juju2454]

I played both slots and craps. The slots I put in 5$ played till it tripled then pulled it, so I gained $20, Hubby played $20 and pulled it when it doubled so made $20. The 3 times that I played craps ( I play at home too) I played $40 and every time I won I put the payoff in my pocket as the table was a $5 minimum I left with $60 I play the field and do well on it, the last night I played craps again with $40, trick is to watch your roller and see what comes up most while on the pass line. I again played the pass line and the field upping the field here and there with $10 alternating with $5 when I won I put the "new" chips in my pocket( I had jeans on that night as it was last night) I never took any back out but played my $40 till it was "gone" sure I lost a few but when I was done Dh came over and between both pockets I emptied out I had over $300. my two daughters started out with $40 each and one had over $100 in her pocket and the other had $90 so all started from $40, so it can be done. I didn't go every night as I wanted to do other things, but even in the regular casino at home Craps is the game I do best on, Slots is fun but Craps has more "action". I have a friend who goes on cruises and play roulette, and has generally won his cruise fare on them. ;)

I do agree though only play what you are willing to possibly lose consider it fun money and nothing more. In other words don't bet the farm:eek:, and never use anything but cash. :rolleyes: that way when it is gone you know right up front!

Have fun and do play with the idea that you are having a good time, and yes the dealers/table managers will answer any questions you have.

 

Oh yes and indeed you throw your money down and they will retrieve it and give you your chips.... it is crude looking but what they want. If you do play craps keep all dice in the well, and all small purses. cloaks, capes, jackets, etc ,out of the pit. Same with most of the tables no purses are allowed on them ( even evening purses) and nothing can sit on them but your hands. Never take your winnings till all in the area have been paid is also a general rule but can vary.

 

Enjoy your cruise!!:D:cool:

[macruisefan]

The odds on blackjack are the same no matter how many decks are used.....and using more decks does not alter those odds towards the house or towards you.

 

Untrue. However, the difference between six decks (the standard shoe) and ten decks is miniscule (probably 0.02%). But in smaller deck games, there is a larger difference.

 

 

Imho the best odds are at Black Jack and the Video Poker machines. On our last cruise Both dh and myself won big jackpots on them. Paid for our cruise.:D Set a limit per day and have fun.

 

Video Poker Machines are unique in that they are representative of a standard deck of cards. The odds of being dealt any card are the same as if you were playing each hand with a fresh deck each time. The DIFFERENCE with video poker is in the payout tables.

 

The "gold standard" is to look at the payout on Jacks or Better. The best machines are referred to as "9/6" machines. The payout for a Full House on one coin in should be 9, and a Flush should be 6. I would be very surprised to find this on a cruise ship, as they are exceedingly hard to find on land! Nowadays, and "8/6" machine is considered a good find, and you are more likely to find "7/5".

 

The other key to video poker is to bet five credits. This is because the total payout odds improve tremendously at five credits. It all hinges on the Royal Flush. Play one, two, three, or four credits and get the royal flush, and you with 250, 500, 750 and 1,000 credits respectively. Bet five coins and you win 4,000 credits.

 

Now if you're just looking to have a little fun, then don't worry about it. But if you really want to maximize your potential return, then five credits is the way to go.

[wildescapade]

If you are new to gambling then it is a good time to see if you are one of the "lucky" people. I am one of those people...I win all the time, but not large amounts of money and I don't go to the casino very often. Only about twice a year and when I am on a cruise which is only once a year. The first time I went to a casino, I didn't play...the second time I went I won $495...the first time I went to the horse races, I didn't play...the second time I went I won $300. It has been a long time since then but I am up at Foxwoods and Mohegan Sun...way up, compared to what I spend. I did hit an $1175 jackpot on the Queen Mary...and then 6 days later I hit the same exact amount at Mohegan Sun! A complete fluke that I was gambling twice in one week, my brother in law was in town and his wife does not allow him to gamble so he had never been to a casino...when I gave him a $100 to play he put it right in his pocket. So, give it a shot and see if you win...I say some people are luckier than others, and when you win put it in your pocket! Good luck!

[FrankinPA]

What is it about these boards that attract postings from the luckiest gamblers and not the losers? Where are you losers???? Don't let these winners hog all our space. There are a lot more of us out there than there are winners.

[Carolin]

My idea of dabbling in gambling is playing .25 video blackjack. I spend my $20 and I'm done for the trip.

[ORV]

What is it about these boards that attract postings from the luckiest gamblers and not the losers? Where are you losers???? Don't let these winners hog all our space. There are a lot more of us out there than there are winners.

 

 

Hey Larry, if nothing else this thread is starting to provide amusement. I suggest to not worry about learning any of the odds or rules, just play hunches and what the guy losing at the end of the table tells you to. After all, it's all about whether you're a lucky person or not.

[frogsgirl]

Thanks for all your responses, although I have to confess some of the more detailed gambling options scared me off a bit:eek:! Some amusing comments too!

As mentioned this will be our first time in the casino so I will set my limit and enjoy some low key stuff.....;)

 

FG

[FrankinPA]

Hey Larry, if nothing else this thread is starting to provide amusement. I suggest to not worry about learning any of the odds or rules, just play hunches and what the guy losing at the end of the table tells you to. After all, it's all about whether you're a lucky person or not.

 

Right. Hope you folks are doing well and we see you again on a future cruise. But it will probably not be in the casino. The odds are much better that I will be rewarded when I spend money in the other parts of the ship. But this discussion is fun to read.

[ORV]

Right. Hope you folks are doing well and we see you again on a future cruise. But it will probably not be in the casino. The odds are much better that I will be rewarded when I spend money in the other parts of the ship. But this discussion is fun to read.

 

Looks like we're both taking TA's this fall, just different ships.

[A Sixth?]

We took a cruise on Princess in 2007 and walked through the casino in awe:o but never dabbled as we had no idea what to do!

 

Feeling a tad braver this time but what would be the the best advice you could give to a couple of casino virgins? (btw we have a generous obc supplied by X but don't want to blow this soley on the casino)...any suggestions would be appreciated.

 

Cheers

FG x

 

My advise, is the only "sure" thing in the casino is that the bar drinks seem a bit more generous. :D

 

Have a couple of belts and watch the "action" from a distance.:D