Star Casino is a Loser!

[chisoxfan]

I have to echo some of the thoughts of the poster as we also thought the casino on the Jade was unappealing. We are casual gamblers and make a trip to LV once a year mostly to enjoy nice hotels and dining. We look at the casino as a fun diversion on board where we might spend (lose) a few hundred bucks and enjoy some hours of entertainment. My wife primarily likes the newer interactive video slots and the Jade did not have any even though these have been out for years and are always popular.

We did overhear several 'hard core' gamblers in Cagney's (some of who had comped cruises through their gaming) complain about how tight the slots were. Again, I understand that overtime all gambling is a losing prop and complaining about losing is pretty silly. That said,I would think the cruise ship could put together a more exciting, fun venue that would be attractive and entertaining to more casual gamblers (particularly slot players). As it was I should probably be grateful that the Jade Casino was not 'our cup of tea'.

[mitsugirly]

I have to say that I normally do pretty good in the casinos on NCL (and usually come out ahead). But I have "my" system. I only carry a $20 or maybe a $40 and if at any time it doubles, I cash out.

 

On the Star last December, my hubby was doing pretty good compared to me, then I finally walked away hitting a good amount and not only recooped myself, but walk out quite a bit ahead.

 

My favorite game on all of the ships always seems to be Cave King. It's one of the games that you have to "find". There's a slot that has 4 different games on it, and you have to scroll to find it. I believe it's on the Sirens game.

 

 

 

Every NCL ship I have been on, I have done pretty good on it. Even when I don't do well, it will keep me playing for hours going up and down and up and down and usually walking away with more than I came with. :D

[cod]

I completely agree about the Star slot machines. I probably lost about $100 all toll and, yes, I know that most would not consider that a major loss. BUT it was what I brought to lose and at no time was I ever ahead, even a few bucks that I would have at least enjoyed playing and giving back!!

[Tralfie]

When I go to any casino -- on land or sea -- I take exactly what I expect to lose. If I take $600 and walk out with $300, I consider myself up. LOL I see so many people who get upset because they aren't winning, and I always feel bad for them. I will say that I just got off the Gem one night cruise to nowhere, and I not only had an awesome time but actually did some winning in the casino!

 

Richard/Tralfie

[Macadian]

I am sorry that your experience was so negative...and I am sure NCL are too (as they titter into their hands). I would encourage you to try your luck again next cruise. Take lots of money please...the more NCL make from the CASINO'S, the less I would hope they have to increase the stateroom charges :D. Every one's a winner it would seem, so step right up, don't be shy, you can beat the house, sure you can, just hang in there...NCL want you to have a memorable experience in the Casino!:p

 

All meant in the best possible (tongue in cheek) taste.

Edited November 17, 2013 by Macadian

[CP Tech]

I was on the Star last December. Came out like $80 ahead over the week on the roulette.

 

The problem with "not winning" or "house advantage" is playing games that have the as part of the game. The way to win is to eliminate the house factor. Like poker.

 

A poker tourney the house get's it's cut when you first join, plus re-buys and what not, but after that. It's your own personal destiny. You against other humans. The house has no advantage.

 

I walked in and put $60 down to join the tourney on our last day at sea.

 

Walked out in 3rd place (mainly because I was tired and just started going all in towards the end sometimes without even looking at my cards) with $760.

 

I'd say I beat the house that day.

[gooch47]

We, too, find the casinos on ALL cruise ships regardless of the cruise line to be much tighter. But you do see some winners, so maybe we just don't choose wisely.

 

One observation puzzles me. According to what I've read, video poker machines in land based casinos are supposed to be totally random. Just like shuffling a deck of real cards. But while I do ok otherwise, on ships I cannot get decent hands ever.

[SeaShark]

I was on the Star last December. Came out like $80 ahead over the week on the roulette.

 

The problem with "not winning" or "house advantage" is playing games that have the as part of the game. The way to win is to eliminate the house factor. Like poker.

 

A poker tourney the house get's it's cut when you first join, plus re-buys and what not, but after that. It's your own personal destiny. You against other humans. The house has no advantage.

 

I walked in and put $60 down to join the tourney on our last day at sea.

 

Walked out in 3rd place (mainly because I was tired and just started going all in towards the end sometimes without even looking at my cards) with $760.

 

I'd say I beat the house that day.

 

 

Poker does not eliminate the house factor...as you yourself point out, they get a cut....that is GUARANTEED money in the house's pocket. As a matter of fact, since you don't play against the house, poker is a game where the house ALWAYS comes out ahead.

 

 

I don't know how you "beat the house that day"...#1, it wasn't their money that you took, and #2, you still paid them their guaranteed cut just so you could play. The house gained money WITHOUT RISKING ANY OF THEIR OWN. Can any of the players say that?

[CP Tech]

I meant is as, They cot their cut from my entry fee yes. But I put in $60 and walked away with over $700.

 

Therefore, me personally, I beat them as I got more from them than they got from me. :)

[che5904]

OP you win some you lose some. On the Star I won the biggest hand pay JP that I have ever won in any casino land or sea (and I have been to a lot). I do find the ship casinos tighter than land but I'm not sure if that is because they are paying out a smaller percentage or there are just less options of machine to play. If you are losing at one machine, it is hard to find very many other open machines to play except for the couple that people have left because those machines weren't paying. On land, unless there is some big casino promotion going on, I can always find another machine or two open that is paying a little better than the one I was on.

 

You had an unlucky time. Why not just leave it at that. Warning people because you had an unlucky week, IMO, is silly. If anyone walking in to play in the casino and doesn't realize that they are risking the money they walked in with. Again, IMO they shouldn't be in there in the first place. Casinos don't stay in business because the players have the edge.

[ohioNCLcruiser]

I did a lot better on the Carnival casino than NCL. My friend and I did a four day cruise on the Carnival Inspiration and hit $800 on a slot pull which paid for everything. Always fun walking out with some of their money!

[SeaShark]

I meant is as, They cot their cut from my entry fee yes. But I put in $60 and walked away with over $700.

 

Therefore, me personally, I beat them as I got more from them than they got from me. :)

 

 

Not really....they got $60 from you. However, you got NOTHING from them. Any money you received came from other players, NOT from the casino. The casino got guaranteed money from every player and no casino money was ever at risk.

 

What is the house advantage when every player gives them money and there is no way for the casino to lose their money?

[VideoTech]

....One observation puzzles me. According to what I've read, video poker machines in land based casinos are supposed to be totally random. Just like shuffling a deck of real cards. But while I do ok otherwise, on ships I cannot get decent hands ever.

 

Video Poker machines (and any slot machine) are totally random on each hand or spin. Each hand dealt (or spin) is completely independent of the hands that went before it and the hands that will come after. And yes, each deal is done with a new shuffle of a complete deck. The machines on the ship are no different than the machines in the land casinos, so they may pay several times in a row, or not at all for spin after spin after spin.

 

However, are you checking the pay tables of the video poker machines you play? You're probably playing machines with a very low payback percentage, which would tend to result in fewer decent hands. In my experience, the pay tables of video poker machines on cruise ships are terrible.

Edited December 10, 2013 by VideoTech

[clcjdn]

On my recent Sun cruise the Double Double Bonus was 95.6% and the Triple Double Bonus was 96.3% at the $0.25 level. I ran them through my Win Poker app to see which one was better. Land based casinos in CO are in the 98% range, so not that much lower.....now point accumulation on the other hand.....

[VideoTech]

On my recent Sun cruise the Double Double Bonus was 95.6% and the Triple Double Bonus was 96.3% at the $0.25 level. I ran them through my Win Poker app to see which one was better. Land based casinos in CO are in the 98% range, so not that much lower.....now point accumulation on the other hand.....

 

Those few percentage points make a lot of difference, trust me. And you're right about point accumulation....you only get half the points that slot players do, for the same amount of money put at risk.

 

Casinos defend that because they claim a video poker player who understands the pay tables has an "advantage." That statement irritates the heck out of me, because the machine itself is just as random as any slot machine!! Ok...I'll quit my ranting....:D

[clcjdn]

The part of my post I didn't add but should have.....the VP %s on NCL are better than 10 coin on Carnival. In addition, personally I will gladly give up a few points over Vegas or CO for comped travel on a modest gambling budget (about $200 per day). Case in point, 3 cruises from 09/13 to 01/14, no Vegas or CO casinos.....

[blindrid]

Geez, imagine a loser complaining. That's why gambler play things that one can lower the odds - it's sure not slots.

 

I chalk my dice as entertainment.