Casino: Celebrity must be really hurting for $ if they're ripping off players this badly in Video Poker

[kywildcatfanone]

it's called gambling, and you ultimately lose.  It's an entertainment thing, view it that way.

 

[fstuff1]

On 8/17/2022 at 11:25 AM, NutsAboutGolf said:

 

🤷‍♂️No idea, call and ask?

i cant call right now.

i'm currently on a cruise in europe and ship's satellite wifi isnt stable enough to make a phone call back USA to blue Chip 😞

[NutsAboutGolf]

3 hours ago, kywildcatfanone said:

it's called gambling, and you ultimately lose.  It's an entertainment thing, view it that way.

 

 

Most casinos allow you to use a BJ strategy card, if you play a perfect game even if you have an unlucky streak you won't lose very much and will most likely win; either way your next cruise might be comped.  If you play enough to get a comped AQ stateroom which is often over $5K for two and you only lost $1K, that's quite a "win".  

[mahdnc]

24 minutes ago, NutsAboutGolf said:

 

Most casinos allow you to use a BJ strategy card, if you play a perfect game even if you have an unlucky streak you won't lose very much and will most likely win; either way your next cruise might be comped.  If you play enough to get a comped AQ stateroom which is often over $5K for two and you only lost $1K, that's quite a "win".  

 

I didn't understand your "will most likely win" comment.  Playing perfect Basic Strategy minimizes the house edge, but it is still in the house's favor.

[canderson]

4 hours ago, LMaxwell said:

Casinos at Sea are not regulated like U.S. Land Based Casinos.  The odds and payouts usually are weak. Cruise ship gambling should be considered for entertainment only 

You can put up a lousy 6/5 Jacks-or-Better in the U.S., too.  Completely transparent, no regulatory issue, just a crappy payout that the player can see walking by, which any serious player would do!

 

Stick to craps and stay off the proposition bets and you'll have decent odds most anywhere.

[mnocket]

5 hours ago, kywildcatfanone said:

it's called gambling, and you ultimately lose.  It's an entertainment thing, view it that way.

 

THIS.  Anyone who gambles with the expectation of winning is headed for disappointment.  The ever worsening odds at casinos - land and cruise ships alike - means the cost of this entertainment has gone up.  I don't like it, but if I'm sitting at a blackjack table with an entertaining group of fellow players it can still be a lot of fun.

[julia]

There are approximately 63 casinos in Las Vegas alone, and they certainly didn't build themselves. 🤣

[weregoingcruising]

2 hours ago, julia said:

There are approximately 63 casinos in Las Vegas alone, and they certainly didn't build themselves. 🤣

I helped.

[Inveterate Cruiser]

Does anyone know if the house edge for Celebrity VP improves with different/higher denoms? Otherwise it seems that it would be better to play craps, BJ or even roulette then.....   

[fstuff1]

1 hour ago, Inveterate Cruiser said:

Does anyone know if the house edge for Celebrity VP improves with different/higher denoms? 

No.

Same with $10 and $25 denoms :(

[SHIP TRAVELER]

12 minutes ago, Inveterate Cruiser said:

Does anyone know if the house edge for Celebrity VP improves with different/higher denoms? Otherwise it seems that it would be better to play craps, BJ or even roulette then.....   

There is some variance in different games but on the 6/5 J or B video poker it does not matter. Playing $1.25 a hand or $5.00 a hand the payout is the same lousy %. so the same.  Some of the bonus  video poker game schedules are below 92%.  The 6/5 J or B is a flat 95%.  If you buy credits before you board or during on board promotions you get an extra $5 per $50 buy in to help offset the house edge.  We obviously play for entertainment with OBC but try to make up part of the poor odds this way.  We enjoy Video Poker so be play that along with craps, black jack and Ultimate Texas holdem.  We don't play regular slot machines. We love the non smoking casinos on Celebrity.

[Arizona Wildcat]

On 5/10/2022 at 9:53 PM, Bo1953 said:

Actually, it is the passengers who permit themselves to be fleeced, especially if identified and they continue to play, do you not think?

 

Since better odds were identified on another game of chance, that is the place to play.... unless one enjoys being fleeced.

 

Good luck and bon voyage

 

bon voyage

Complete agree.  I use the $5 match play coupons and occasionally buy chips with a 110% promo deal.  Otherwise stay away from the casino.

[Alabaster Cruiser]

On 8/16/2022 at 7:17 PM, fstuff1 said:

 

i booked a free cruise solo thru fcv and was charged $20/day cruise fare. 😞

 

Anyway to get this fee removed?

Can someone in Blue chip remove it?

I've had 2 different cruises where they took it off.  They will cancel and immediately rebook.  Kept the same rooms.  One cruise I did not get it take off of because it was a b2b and there was a wait list for our room category.   Did not want to risk loosing the same room on the last leg.  The Bluechip rep said with a wait list she could not guarantee the same room on rebooking.

Edited September 12, 2022 by Alabaster Cruiser

[NMTraveller]

On 8/18/2022 at 2:07 PM, weregoingcruising said:

I helped.

We thank you for paying our taxes.

[NutsAboutGolf]

On 8/18/2022 at 9:28 AM, mahdnc said:

 

I didn't understand your "will most likely win" comment.  Playing perfect Basic Strategy minimizes the house edge, but it is still in the house's favor.

 

Fair point however 3:2 BJ is the best odds offered by X since if they offer Baccarat it's the no commission version.

Edited September 12, 2022 by NutsAboutGolf

[Andrewgary]

I usually stick to poker. While the rake is pretty high I know I have a shot at winning if I'm a better player than the others.  Sometimes the call of the craps table is too much and I try my luck there- yes, I avoid the prop bets and take plenty of odds behind the line. 

I only take what I can afford to lose-last thing I want to do is ruin a fantastic cruise because I lost control in the casino.

[canderson]

5 minutes ago, Andrewgary said:

I usually stick to poker. While the rake is pretty high I know I have a shot at winning if I'm a better player than the others.  Sometimes the call of the craps table is too much and I try my luck there- yes, I avoid the prop bets and take plenty of odds behind the line. 

I only take what I can afford to lose-last thing I want to do is ruin a fantastic cruise because I lost control in the casino.

Think your craps strategy is your best bet (pun intended) for keeping the house's take down.  Plus, if you can get sn active/lively table going, it can be a fun experience.

 

Problem with poker in public venues, even aboard ship, is not knowing whether or not your playing against a two or more player 'team'.

[mfs2k]

It seems Video poker pay tables matter more for long term players.

 

If you sit down and play for 30 minutes, it doesn't have much of an effect. 

 

Either you hit some great hits or you don't and that's what will ultimately determine if you walk away from the machine up or down. If you're paid 9/6 or 8/5 for a Full House/Flush wont make a lot of difference to your win/loss in the short term.

 

If you're a 23 hour a day video poker player, you probably know the odds are going to be worse on a cruise ship. Such is life. 

 

Same is true for slot players.  I play a lot in land casinos.  I know the payoff probabilities are worse on a cruise ship, but that's not going to stop me from playing for an hour hoping for a jackpot.   Payoff probabilities are based on infinite numbers of spins and factor in the few who win Grand jackpots and SuperGrands.  There are still jackpots and wins to be had on a cruise ship and casual players can win too. 

[Bo1953]

On 9/11/2022 at 3:41 PM, Arizona Wildcat said:

Complete agree.  I use the $5 match play coupons and occasionally buy chips with a 110% promo deal.  Otherwise stay away from the casino.

What is the process to get some of these?

 

Who do I need to know??? LOL

 

bon chance and bon voyage

[Tom-n-Cheryl]

8 hours ago, Bo1953 said:

What is the process to get some of these?

 

Who do I need to know??? LOL

 

bon chance and bon voyage

 

The match play coupons used to be easily utilized as they were on the CC sheets in your cabin at embarkation (I'm sure you knew that - but, I'm just stating that for others 🙂  ) - now I think you can go to the cage to request this? I've never done that, so I'm not sure.

 

Regarding the chips/slots promo - you can go into your cruise planner and look for "Casino", on that page it gives the deets (some of that pasted below - but basically you get $5 in free/promo chips or slot play for every $50 you purchase pre-cruise.

 

 

Casino Tables Free Play

From

$49.99 / per package

 

Reserve

Overview

Enjoy the non-stop action playing thrilling table games in the hottest casino at sea and get even more Casino play for the same money. Purchase your casino tables play promotional chips pre-cruise, and get 10% added value.

Important details and advisements

• Table Play Casino Chip Offer (“Offer”) applies to purchases made via Cruise Planner no less than three days prior to cruise departure. For every pre-cruise package purchase, a guest will receive 10% added value. Offer limit up to 10 per person per sailing.
• Offer must be redeemed at Casino cage during casino open hours by the guest who purchased Offer. Redemption is the responsibility of the guest; value of Offer expires at the end of the cruise.
• For table play, promotional chips will be issued all at once; promotional chips must be played through and are not redeemable for cash. No contra betting permitted on Roulette or Baccarat.
• Promotional chips must be used by the SeaPass holder who purchased Offer. Chip denominations are subject to availability. Guest must present SeaPass at table play for Casino recording. Cancellations can only be made pre-cruise via Cruise Planner; refunds will be made to the original form of payment. After Cruise Planner closes for the sailing, all sales are final.
• Pre-Cruise purchases made that exceed the maximum purchase amount will be refunded to the credit card originally used for purchase within seven business days after the original charge was made. Offer is not transferable, not redeemable for cash or onboard credit, for casino game-play only, and must be used by the final night of the cruise. Promotional chips must cycle through wagering and not redeemable for cash, they also may not be bartered, sold, transferred, assigned, or gifted. Offer is subject to availability and change without notice and may be withdrawn at any time.
• This promotion will not count towards loyalty points accumulation. Celebrity Cruises reserves the right to correct any errors, inaccuracies or omissions.

[mahdnc]

12 minutes ago, Tom-n-Cheryl said:

 

The match play coupons used to be easily utilized as they were on the CC sheets in your cabin at embarkation (I'm sure you knew that - but, I'm just stating that for others 🙂  ) - now I think you can go to the cage to request this? I've never done that, so I'm not sure.

 

Regarding the chips/slots promo - you can go into your cruise planner and look for "Casino", on that page it gives the deets (some of that pasted below - but basically you get $5 in free/promo chips or slot play for every $50 you purchase pre-cruise.

 

 

Casino Tables Free Play

From

$49.99 / per package

 

Reserve

Overview

Enjoy the non-stop action playing thrilling table games in the hottest casino at sea and get even more Casino play for the same money. Purchase your casino tables play promotional chips pre-cruise, and get 10% added value.

Important details and advisements

• Table Play Casino Chip Offer (“Offer”) applies to purchases made via Cruise Planner no less than three days prior to cruise departure. For every pre-cruise package purchase, a guest will receive 10% added value. Offer limit up to 10 per person per sailing.
• Offer must be redeemed at Casino cage during casino open hours by the guest who purchased Offer. Redemption is the responsibility of the guest; value of Offer expires at the end of the cruise.
• For table play, promotional chips will be issued all at once; promotional chips must be played through and are not redeemable for cash. No contra betting permitted on Roulette or Baccarat.
• Promotional chips must be used by the SeaPass holder who purchased Offer. Chip denominations are subject to availability. Guest must present SeaPass at table play for Casino recording. Cancellations can only be made pre-cruise via Cruise Planner; refunds will be made to the original form of payment. After Cruise Planner closes for the sailing, all sales are final.
• Pre-Cruise purchases made that exceed the maximum purchase amount will be refunded to the credit card originally used for purchase within seven business days after the original charge was made. Offer is not transferable, not redeemable for cash or onboard credit, for casino game-play only, and must be used by the final night of the cruise. Promotional chips must cycle through wagering and not redeemable for cash, they also may not be bartered, sold, transferred, assigned, or gifted. Offer is subject to availability and change without notice and may be withdrawn at any time.
• This promotion will not count towards loyalty points accumulation. Celebrity Cruises reserves the right to correct any errors, inaccuracies or omissions.

At the blackjack tables, you tell the dealer you want to get your match play coupons and the pit boss is summoned. He or she then takes your SeaPass card to verify and record your information and then issues you the paper match play cards to use at the table. 

[SHIP TRAVELER]

13 hours ago, Bo1953 said:

What is the process to get some of these?

 

Who do I need to know??? LOL

 

bon chance and bon voyage

The $5 match play coupons are perks from the Captain's club and the number you get is based on your level.  Elites get three per person.  They are no longer actual coupons left in your cabin but are loaded on your sea pass card.  Different ships handle them differently so just ask at the cage and they will either hand them to you or send you to the tables pit.  You do have to bet your own money with them in a matching amount to play them.  It is fun to place a bet on roulette red or black three times.  Sometimes you even win....

[NutsAboutGolf]

13 hours ago, Bo1953 said:

What is the process to get some of these?

 

Who do I need to know??? LOL

 

bon chance and bon voyage

 

Can only be used at roulette or blackjack, generally go to your table of preference and ask for the pitboss, show them your seapass and state you'd like to receive your matched play vouchers.  Done this on multiple ships, not sure which ships require you to go to the cage.

[mahdnc]

7 minutes ago, NutsAboutGolf said:

 

Can only be used at roulette or blackjack, generally go to your table of preference and ask for the pitboss, show them your seapass and state you'd like to receive your matched play vouchers.  Done this on multiple ships, not sure which ships require you to go to the cage.

 

Roulette and blackjack may see the most frequent use of the match play card, but they can be used for even money bets at other table games such as craps (e.g. pass bet).

 

[NutsAboutGolf]

6 minutes ago, mahdnc said:

 

Roulette and blackjack may see the most frequent use of the match play card, but they can be used for even money bets at other table games such as craps (e.g. pass bet).

 

 

Hmmm, perhaps it varies by ship but your version seems to be host issued business card size, I've personally never seen this type of card/voucher which which printed with some color.  I just got off the Equinox and it said right on the CC voucher for roulette and BJ only; was closer to a 3"x5" index card and was B&W only, no color.

Edited September 13, 2022 by NutsAboutGolf