Gambling for Dummies

[bouhunter]

1 hour ago, orville99 said:

 

2) Never walk into a casino with more cash than you can afford to lose, and

3) Never go into a casino with any other way to access cash other than the cash that was in your pocket when you walked in.

Good advice for problem gamblers, but someone who wants to gamble only 20.00 won't need to worry about these issues.

[orville99]

1 minute ago, bouhunter said:

Good advice for problem gamblers, but someone who wants to gamble only 20.00 won't need to worry about these issues.

I’d be willing to bet that most problem gamblers walked into a casino for the first time only intending to gamble $20.

 

[ScubaCat3]

Good luck finding one of the casino classes. I showed up for the class ten minutes early and walked around the casino until ten minutes after the class was supposed to start on three different cruises. I never found a class. Since the casino was closed there were no employees around to ask. 

[ZoeyVictoria]

8 minutes ago, ScubaCat3 said:

Good luck finding one of the casino classes. I showed up for the class ten minutes early and walked around the casino until ten minutes after the class was supposed to start on three different cruises. I never found a class. Since the casino was closed there were no employees around to ask. 

On one of the Oasis class ships, it was almost impossible to get a seat at the crowded tables on a port day.  Taking the class guaranteed a seat once the casino opened for the day.  Almost no newbies at the classes, only shrewd players.

[Ozark_Kid]

My favorite is Texas Holdem.  I set an amount I am willing to lose but also set a time limit and a win limit.  What I mean by win limit is if I win up to my limit I stop.  At least plan to stop.  If you walk away you are happy you didn’t lose all your winnings.  

[orville99]

Just went out to the cruise planner for our august Allure cruise, and the casino class now comes with a $25/pp fee to participate.

[ZoeyVictoria]

52 minutes ago, ZoeyVictoria said:

On one of the Oasis class ships, it was almost impossible to get a seat at the crowded tables on a port day.  Taking the class guaranteed a seat once the casino opened for the day.  Almost no newbies at the classes, only shrewd players.

Oops, I meant sea day!

25 minutes ago, orville99 said:

Just went out to the cruise planner for our august Allure cruise, and the casino class now comes with a $25/pp fee to participate.

That includes $25 in free play and two free drinks, so not a bad deal.

[soremekun]

Rule #1 - The house always wins.

[orville99]

53 minutes ago, soremekun said:

Rule #1 - The house always wins.

Rule #2 - The only time the house doesn't win is when the casino is closed😉

[bucfan2]

3 hours ago, crusnbee said:

Always stay away from blackjack as there are many newbies who do not know the rules of the table and tend to mess things up.

I play blackjack the so-called 'proper' way...that being said, if you sit next to me and play completely off-the-wall, more power to ya...sometimes helps the tables, but all you'll hear about are the times it doesn't.

[CaroleC]

6 hours ago, birdylady said:

when it comes to craps, personally I find it very confusing.

Oh me too. It doesn’t matter how many times I stand and watch, I just can’t understand it! 🙈

[jakeil7]

53 minutes ago, CaroleC said:

Oh me too. It doesn’t matter how many times I stand and watch, I just can’t understand it! 🙈

It’s simple but someone does need to explain it to you - it’s hard to pick up by watching. All the bets other than the line and odds are for gamblers who get bored easily 😝

[BeancounterUSA]

Before you go, practice on line with a strategy trainer.  google wizard of odds play for fun and practice, practice, practice with play money.  If you sit at a black jack table and are dealt a 14, freeze if the dealer up card is a 4,5 or 6 unless you want to get yelled at.  The first thing you need to know is if you bust they take your money right away, even if the dealer ultimately bust.  Therefore, 14 is a good hand if the dealer is forced to hit on a 16.

[bucfan2]

10 hours ago, George C said:

I wish rccl did what celebrity does you can pre buy chips or slot play and they will give you a extra ten percent so I bought 600 in chips and got 660 ( we had 600 in on board credit) 

Keep an eye out for offers on RCCL…we got the 10% deal on our 2019 Allure cruise.  Don’t see the offer often, but it does show up occasionally. 

Edited July 23, 2021 by bucfan2

[SRF]

The two best games from the player's odds side are Black Jack and Craps. IF you play smart.  Played well, with reasonable house rules, the odds are typically 2% or less house edge.

 

For Black Jack you can buy cards of the proper play from Amazon (or in casino shops in Vegas).  It shows you what the mathematically correct play for any two cards you have to the one card the dealer is showing.  You can Hit (take another card), Stand (stick with what you have), Double (double your bet and get one more card),  or Split (split two same value cards into two hands, each with the amount of the original bet).

 

The initial version of that card was developed in the 1960s, when computers took up BUILDINGS.  Some players tested over 4 BILLION hands to come up with the odds.  There are various cards for slight differences in the rules (doubling after splitting, how many decks, etc), but the differences are minor and do not significantly change the odds.

 

For Craps, go to You Tube and look up the Master of Odds.  He has a series of videos on how to play craps and have the best odds on your side.  Quick answer, stay AWAY from the middle of the table bets. 😄

 

Roulette and slots have the worst odds. 

 

Many ship casinos (and Vegas casinos) have classes in the afternoon.  I did a BJ class in Vegas.  They taught the basic play.  They even told you about the odds card (at the time 89 cents in the casino gift shop).  During the class you played for free.  Then, they allowed you to play at that table for $2 a hand (versus $5 minimum typical at the time).  And you could play for most of the evening at $2, unless they got really busy.

 

I did a craps class, but the game is a bit more complicated, so I recommend the YouTube videos mentioned.

 

I play BJ, I flat bet, and I paly according to the card.  I have been to Vegas like 8 times, and won on 6 trips.  In 5 cruises, I have won on 3.  Not huge amounts.  Most I took home from Vegas was about $900. 

Also, I am playing for fun.  My gambling budget is $100 a day.  Which is about a day at Disney.  So if I lose $100, I am done for the day.  Typically, I will start with $100, and carry that over several days.  Most trips where I did not win, I lost $100 - $200.  Only one trip did I lose more, but that time I broke my budget and chased the table and lost about $400 for the trip.  At least one, maybe two of those "losing" trips were break even.  I played, won some, lost what I won, but got my initial $100 back.

Edited July 23, 2021 by SRF

[SRF]

15 hours ago, George C said:

I gamble a lot , love poker etc, but for your # 3, I was shocked on the people getting a thousand in chips on there card and blowing it in less than 30 mins.

 

To some people, that is like $10 to you are me.

 

Last Vegas trip I watched a guy playing a $100 minimum table.  He played his last chip, needed to double, and pulled out about a 1 inch thick stack of fresh $100 bills.  He peeled off 6, and kept playing.  

 

Oh, by the time he was down to his last chip, I had seen him lose about $1000 in maybe 5 - 10 minutes.

[SRF]

14 hours ago, Nado44 said:

Blackjack is my recommendation.

 

1. Download a free Blackjack app onto your phone.

2. Print out a basic Blackjack strategy chart (you can find one via Google).

3. Play for hours on your phone and while following the rules of the chart.

4. Attend a free beginners blackjack session prior to casino opening.

 

Hint: You can bring the basic blackjack strategy chart with you to your table.

 

 

 

The strategy cards are more convenient at the table.  They fit in one hand. 😄

 

Here is the basic strategy card - https://www.amazon.com/Blackjack-Basic-Strategy-Chart-Dealer/dp/0982119151/ref=sr_1_1?dchild=1&keywords=Blackjack+Basic+Strategy+Chart%3A+4%2F6%2F8+Decks%2C+Dealer+Hits+Soft+17+Cards&qid=1627022393&sr=8-1

 

Most casinos the dealer hits a Soft 17.  That is a Ace (can be counted at 1 or 11) and 6.  This is a slight house edge versus the dealer standing (not taking a card) on a Soft 17.

[SRF]

14 hours ago, crusnbee said:

Always stay away from blackjack as there are many newbies who do not know the rules of the table and tend to mess things up.

 

The odds stay the same no matter how the other people at the table are playing.

 

This was tested on a computer and found to not change the odds for each player.

 

Yes, sometimes they take a card that would have made your hand, or not taken a card that was bad for your hand.  But just as many times, them taking a card they should not have, gives you the card you needed or them not taking a card gives that good card to you.

 

Play, enjoy, and don't worry about the other players.

[SRF]

12 hours ago, soremekun said:

Rule #1 - The house always wins.

 

Overall, yes.  But individual players DO win.  I have won over more trips/cruises than I have lost on.

[SRF]

Unless you are playing slots, $20 is not enough to really play.  I have seen people play one hand of BJ or only $20.  But they are typically just throwing that money away for the experience.

 

A $100 buy in gives you a a number of hands (or rolls) to play and actually experience the game.

[djefferis]

Casino lessons - does RCL still offer a “match play” coupon to those who attend (bet $10-get paid for $20 bet if it’s a winner on even money bets)? 
 

In short OP - I’d suggest a bit more than $20 to start - $40 or $50 is more likely needed and sticking to Blackjack or Roulette.

 

Blackjack is simple - can last a decent amount of time on 5 wagers (there’s gonna be a lot of short streaks both ways…but fewer streaks of 3 or more win/losses) - but at $10 hand minimum bet - $20 might not last long enough to finish a drink. 
 

Roulette can be fun - but again $10 minimum and playing inside numbers many casinos require $5 minimum bet (to avoid players taking up a seat with just a $1 single number wager) - $20 would potentially be gone with 4 spins of the wheel (figure 1-2 minutes per turn on Roulette and 1 minute per hand on Blackjack). 
 

Craps is fun - but fast moving and can a lot of $$ - of course you can win big too quickly (part of the attraction). 
 

Slots will eat cash quickly but require zero skill - video poker is slightly slower but requires a basic understanding of poker hands. 
 

Rule of thumb - table games are more social, and slower - but come at higher entry points. 
 

If I wanted to just chance $20 a day - I’d go one spin on a high roller machine - or $20 in a slot…or better yet maybe a $20 single bingo card (bad odds - but takes a while and no skill required). 
 

Table games each come with their own “etiquette” - but honestly - it’s a cruise - if your a high roller betting 6:5 blackjack on a ship - your losing before you ever sit down. Sit, play and learn - most dealers/players are happy to give advice (remember a dealer cannot tell you what to do - just nudge you in that direction and fellow players advice is just that - opinions of a stranger…your money/your choice). 
 

Gambling just needs to be approached with the right attitude- which it sounds like you have. Have an established loss ahead of time and walk in looking to have fun with the thrill of chance with no expectations of a big win. A lot of people are happy with their money back - a quick double on a single hand of blackjack just means you play tomorrow risk free. 
 

good luck - don’t focus on “house edge” - long term - it matters. Your not long term. I mean a 15% variance is huge - but with a stake of $100 that’s only a win variance of $1.50 and your talking a 1/5 of that. 

[djefferis]

Re: newbies and blackjack

 

A. If your playing on a cruise ship at a low limit table-  you know walking in what the game is gonna be like and it’s your fault expecting experienced players. Ask them to open a $50 table (at that level of play - the host will have zero issue getting a dealer available any night) and avoid the newbies if you want. 
 

B. Yes. It can be frustrating when the 3rd base newbies showing 14 take a hit and catch the card the dealer showing a 6 would have gotten while your sitting at 18 - but again - 6 decks in the shoe, the odds of them effecting the next card out don’t vary significantly from them not being there. Single deck is more frustrating and less chance of a high card after the last one - but again it’s still 100% random. They could have just as easily saved you from a 3/4/5. 
 

 

[PTC DAWG]

12 hours ago, jakeil7 said:

It’s simple but someone does need to explain it to you - it’s hard to pick up by watching. All the bets other than the line and odds are for gamblers who get bored easily 😝

Exactly…

[Iamcruzin]

Last time I remember using my seapass. I didn't know that there was an option to use money. Can you use money and still scan your seapass to earn points for the casino? 

 

P.S. I didn't max my credit card.  

[SRF]

2 hours ago, djefferis said:

Table games each come with their own “etiquette” - but honestly - it’s a cruise - if your a high roller betting 6:5 blackjack on a ship - your losing before you ever sit down. Sit, play and learn - most dealers/players are happy to give advice (remember a dealer cannot tell you what to do - just nudge you in that direction and fellow players advice is just that - opinions of a stranger…your money/your choice). 

 

good luck - don’t focus on “house edge” - long term - it matters. Your not long term. I mean a 15% variance is huge - but with a stake of $100 that’s only a win variance of $1.50 and your talking a 1/5 of that. 

 

Most Vegas casinos are 6 to 5 these days on most tables.

 

Uuhs, 15% of $100 is $15.

 

I think you may have been thinking about a 1.5% swing in odds.

 

But things that give the house more of an edge:

 

6 to 5 payout on Black Jack (two cards that total 21).  And RCI screw you more, as they have a $6 min bet, and they short you on the payout, as they do not pay the odd cents.  They pay $7 rather than $7.20.

 

Dealer hits soft 17

 

No surrender

 

No allowing doubling after splitting