Casino novice---how do you play (a little!) on the machines?

[Mountainduo]

I've cruised a lot, but never spent a minute in the casino.  Next cruise, that may change.  How does it work to try a few poker or slot machines, just for 20$ or so??

 

Do you need a casino card with credit on it?  Or, does the room card work?  I can't believe the room charge would put 25 cents onto the account for playing a single pull of a slot!

 

How's it work??  Thanks

Edited July 7, 2023 by Mountainduo
correct typo

[YourWorldWithBill]

6 minutes ago, Mountainduo said:

I've cruised a lot, but never spent a minute in the casino.  Next cruise, that may change.  How does it work to try a few poker or slot machines, just for 20$ or so??

 

Do you need a casino card with credit on it?  Or, does the room card work?  I can't believe the room charge would put 25 cents onto the account for playing a single pull of a slot!

 

How's it work??  Thanks

My experience is at the craps tables, but my wife played a slot for a little while, and it was pretty easy. She was told just to use the room card, and it goes on the account. By the way, if you're there more than you think, remember that they keep track of how much you gamble (not winnings or losses) and you might get an offer after the cruise.

[*Miss G*]

For the slots:  My best advice would be to have one of the floor walkers show you how to set up your account and explain the machine to you.  Go when it’s not busy.  The machines have changed and I found them pretty confusing because they’re no longer user-intuitive.

 

Initial setup will have you downloading a set amount to your casino account.  It can be $10, $20, $50, etc… whatever you choose.

 

When you move to another machine, make sure you “cash out” of the machine you were playing or any money left in there will go to the next player.  If no one plays the machine (with your money) the cash will go back to your account after one or two minutes.  If someone plays the machine before the time expires, it’s gone.

 

On or before the final night you will need to close out your account with the cashier.  You will receive the remaining amount in US cash.

 

 

[Mary229]

A few of the ships still have machines with the option to put money in but you need to insert your card to get it out.  Too complicated for me but assisted someone in doing it, she was using it as a method to control her spending.  
 

The casino staff are very pleasant and will help you set up.  I only wander into the casino on quiet times during sea days and they are always super helpful. just ask 

[kazu]

OK, in all fairness it’s not that hard to register your card as long as you know to do it.

 

Years ago, I was on the old Rotterdam and DD DH told me to stay away from a machine as it wasn’t paying.  It was Formal night (back then) and he wasn’t ready yet so I told him I was going out.  He repeated “stay away from that machine”

Well, I won some nice money on “that” machine (it was calling to me) and stood there waiting for the coins to come out.  Nothing.  In a panic I waved down the casino person and that’s when I found out my card had to be registered.  So we did it, I cashed out, put my winning to our on board account and went back to the room to tell DH I won on “that” machine.

He said right - where’s the money - and I handed him the receipt.  That was at the changeover so now I know.  You just insert your card and the machine guides you for the rest.

The trick is - making sure you only spend a “little”.  

[*Miss G*]

The blocking point for registering your card is when it asks for your password; only you haven’t created one yet.  After much frustration and a visit to the cashier (who was a bit of a jerk) I found out the password is the month and year of your birth (mm/yy).  This gets you into the setup process where you can create your own password.

[Laminator]

All of the slot machines take cash!

[Taters]

I always load my first machine of the cruise with cash.  If I win, I keep playing on that money.  I do not charge gambling funds to my onboard account.  You can load cash in on most machines, but will have to cash out at the casino desk.  I always wait until the last day of the cruise to cash out.

[saltshell]

My tip; plan to play for the fun of it. If you win then it's a bonus.

[highscar]

@saltshell agree. Me too. 

[DaveOKC]

1 hour ago, saltshell said:

My tip; plan to play for the fun of it. If you win then it's a bonus.

My DW has a daily budget and sticks by it (most of the time).  I agree - play for the fun of it and if a good deal comes your way, go for it!  My experience has been that when you chase comps/perks/deals you end up losing more than normal.

[Banditswife]

I agree, machines & dealers take cash.  Setting up your casino account is easy, just make sure you cash out when leaving the machine.  It goes back into your casino account or "bank" as the machine calls it.  To cash out, you have to go to the casino cashier, they will have you enter pin number, which is your birth date as mentioned above.  I can't remember if it was mm/yy or mm/dd, but the machine makes it clear.  I don't usually play the tables, but I am pretty sure they will exchange cash for casino chips- which you also have to cash in at casino cashier.