Any hints to effective gambling on cruise ships?

[cruisinfanatic]

ALWAYS split 8s.

 

Otherwise you have a hand of 16. If you stand, you will probably lose. If you hit, you will probably bust, and lose.

 

In Vegas, you can get a card with all the mathematically proper play for any hand against any dealer up card. That play was developed with over 4 BILLION hands simulated on computers.

Would you rather hit 16 once or have 2 8's against a 10 where you can lose twice?

[Lady Hudson]

Would you rather hit 16 once or have 2 8's against a 10 where you can lose twice?

 

I always split 8s because I know the math says it is the right thing to do. You are hoping for a 2 or 3 to be able to double. As DH says, making some of the more unpopular moves like hitting a 12 against a 2 or 3, hitting an Ace 7 against a nine, ten, or ace, doesn’t make a winning hand necessaily, but can make it a less losing hand. I go with the math knowing that in the long run I will do better.

 

But to each his own. I hope to never see again, as I did last week, an older man scream at a young girl for “doing the wrong thing” at the blackjack table. She left in tears followed by her mother coming to the table to yell at the older man for making her daughter cry. I was disappointed that the floor supervisor said nothing as this went on. Uncomfortable.

[datolim]

I always split 8s because I know the math says it is the right thing to do. You are hoping for a 2 or 3 to be able to double. As DH says, making some of the more unpopular moves like hitting a 12 against a 2 or 3, hitting an Ace 7 against a nine, ten, or ace, doesn’t make a winning hand necessaily, but can make it a less losing hand. I go with the math knowing that in the long run I will do better.

 

But to each his own. I hope to never see again, as I did last week, an older man scream at a young girl for “doing the wrong thing” at the blackjack table. She left in tears followed by her mother coming to the table to yell at the older man for making her daughter cry. I was disappointed that the floor supervisor said nothing as this went on. Uncomfortable.

That is why I and many of my friends don't play BJ. BJ is the only game where how you play your cards affect other players card.

[Lady Hudson]

That is why I and many of my friends don't play BJ. BJ is the only game where how you play your cards affect other players card.

 

It certainly can - hand to hand. Books I have read say that “wrong playing” wins a player as many hands as it loses. Though I can agree that it can be frustrating at times when you lose a hand you would have otherwise won - especially if you have splits and/or doubles. Bottom line - how a blackjack player plays his/her hand is the determining factor over time. By the way, because of the new 6 - 5 rule I spent more time at the $25 table last trip. I did ok but it wasn’t as much fun for me because I am not a high stakes player. Too much stress!

[datolim]

It certainly can - hand to hand. Books I have read say that “wrong playing” wins a player as many hands as it loses. Though I can agree that it can be frustrating at times when you lose a hand you would have otherwise won - especially if you have splits and/or doubles. Bottom line - how a blackjack player plays his/her hand is the determining factor over time. By the way, because of the new 6 - 5 rule I spent more time at the $25 table last trip. I did ok but it wasn’t as much fun for me because I am not a high stakes player. Too much stress!

The cards are random. So no net gain or loss.

Cannot make sense of some play. But by the maths 16 vs 7 is a must hit. But this is counter-intuitive and some players have scream at me.

[cruisinfanatic]

The cards are random. So no net gain or loss.

Cannot make sense of some play. But by the maths 16 vs 7 is a must hit. But this is counter-intuitive and some players have scream at me.

Why would they scream at you? It's the correct play

[datolim]

Why would they scream at you? It's the correct play

A7(soft 18) vs 9 is a must hit. Would you scream at me.

[adamrosie]

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!

 

 

 

Don’t.

 

 

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[cruisinfanatic]

A7(soft 18) vs 9 is a must hit. Would you scream at me.

I wouldn't, but wouldn't care if someone did

[Folsom]

What kind of play level does one need in order to get comps. I will play around $100/day 3-4 days a cruise and have never received any comps.

 

Thanks

-F-

[cruisinfanatic]

What kind of play level does one need in order to get comps. I will play around $100/day 3-4 days a cruise and have never received any comps.

 

Thanks

-F-

You need to bet thousands and spend many hrs in the casino most every day

[datolim]

I wouldn't, but wouldn't care if someone did

Can anybody understand what you are saying. If you think someone can scream at me for this play then you think my play is horrible and terribly wrong.

Do consult the BJ charts and see what I say is the right or wrong move. Then you would understand what I am saying about the right move being counter-intuitive.

[Milwaukee Eight]

Can anybody understand what you are saying. If you think someone can scream at me for this play then you think my play is horrible and terribly wrong.

 

Do consult the BJ charts and see what I say is the right or wrong move. Then you would understand what I am saying about the right move being counter-intuitive.

 

 

 

I avoid BJ unless playing with friends. One must be a Robot otherwise other players get upset. Craps and Roulette are more fun.

 

 

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[DMH15]

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

 

 

 

I had played a favorite slot machine all week. On the last night I was packing my suitcase to put it in the hall. My mom finished quickly and said I'll see you in the casino. Before I finished packing she came back and told me she hit big on my machine!

 

 

 

 

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[Milwaukee Eight]

Make sure you count your chips. I came home from Brilliance and I had a purple chip in my watch pocket by mistake. Hoping I can use on my upcoming cruise.

 

 

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[cruisinfanatic]

Can anybody understand what you are saying. If you think someone can scream at me for this play then you think my play is horrible and terribly wrong.

Do consult the BJ charts and see what I say is the right or wrong move. Then you would understand what I am saying about the right move being counter-intuitive.

What makes you think I don't understand?

[Lady Hudson]

Going on Brilliance again? Hope the ships don’t track the purple chips the way they do on land casinos. On land, if management doesn’t know they gave you a purple chip, there is no way you can cash it. Interesting tidbit I saw this last trip on Grandeur. The dealers have a little flashlight they shine on the purple chips. If the 500 doesn’t light up then the chip is invalid. Good luck on your next trip. Don’t ever think I could forget about a purple chip.:)

[Milwaukee Eight]

Going on Brilliance again? Hope the ships don’t track the purple chips the way they do on land casinos. On land, if management doesn’t know they gave you a purple chip, there is no way you can cash it. Interesting tidbit I saw this last trip on Grandeur. The dealers have a little flashlight they shine on the purple chips. If the 500 doesn’t light up then the chip is invalid. Good luck on your next trip. Don’t ever think I could forget about a purple chip.:)

 

 

 

I didn’t either. Too much alcohol. I put my chips in one pocket but turns out it had a little watch pocket. I’ve come home with Black chips before and they work on other ships. I do believe that some ships have their name on chips. This was off Brilliance with no name. Hopefully I can use on Harmony.

 

Chip says Royal Caribbean. I believe on a busy craps Table I can get it in play.

 

 

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[markf]

A great topic. after more than 25 cruises, i believe that the first 2 days and last days are the way to go for slots.

There is no question that the slot payouts can be controlled, and there is no one government controlling whats going on.

Having said that they cant control the roulette wheel or the dice.

[SRF]

Would you rather hit 16 once or have 2 8's against a 10 where you can lose twice?

 

Since there are more 10s in the deck, you are more likely to get a 10, making your 16 turn into 2x 18s.

 

Also, if you get a low card, you can hit again. And a 2 or 3 on an 8 gives you the chance to double that one. An ace can lead to a double with the proper dealer up card.

 

So Ace, 2, 3, possibly double. 4, 5, 6 a better hit than your 16. 7, not really any worse off than hitting your 16. Another 8, split again. 9 or 10 (4x 10 cards), and you have a better hand that you did, without busting.

 

And 16 is a likely bust hand, as anything more than a 5 busts. LOTS of cards in the deck over 5.

 

You play like you believe, but the statistical odds are to split 8 and aces.

 

But people that play what they FEEL is right, pay for the casino. :D

[SRF]

I always split 8s because I know the math says it is the right thing to do. You are hoping for a 2 or 3 to be able to double. As DH says, making some of the more unpopular moves like hitting a 12 against a 2 or 3, hitting an Ace 7 against a nine, ten, or ace, doesn’t make a winning hand necessaily, but can make it a less losing hand. I go with the math knowing that in the long run I will do better.

 

But to each his own. I hope to never see again, as I did last week, an older man scream at a young girl for “doing the wrong thing” at the blackjack table. She left in tears followed by her mother coming to the table to yell at the older man for making her daughter cry. I was disappointed that the floor supervisor said nothing as this went on. Uncomfortable.

 

Yeap.

 

And if you see that again, tell her AND HIM, that statistics show that it doesn't matter how others at the table play their hand. Yes, all players can relate to an instance where someone played incorrectly, and caused someone else lose the hand. But just as many times, the incorrect play, causes what would have been a losing hand into a winning one.

[SRF]

That is why I and many of my friends don't play BJ. BJ is the only game where how you play your cards affect other players card.

 

But it affects the others the same amount plus and minus.

[SRF]

What kind of play level does one need in order to get comps. I will play around $100/day 3-4 days a cruise and have never received any comps.

 

Thanks

-F-

 

It is based on play and cash used to buy in.

 

So one trick is to cash out your chips every time you leave the casino, then buy in again when you return.

 

Also, it seems points accrue faster on slots versus table games.

 

Last cruise, there was a listing of what you get for X amount of points.

[billsgal]

Cannot comment on table play, but you must play $5 in slots to reach 1 point on your card. You need 400 points to earn $100 off a cruise, and then the award goes up $100 for each additional 400 points, until you reach 2400 points, which gives you a free cruise (I think thats right, we just got off the Empress and I think I remember what the awards were, but feel free to correct me.

 

The award certificates we received waived the service charge on cash advances in the casino. However, they are supposed to be used within 30 days of the cruise end, but I think there is some leeway there.

 

You need 1000 points to get comped drinks in the casino for that cruise.

 

Point awards don't change depending upon the number of cruise days....of course, we tend to accumulate more points on longer cruises.

[riclop]

Hint is DON'T GAMBLE!!!!