Slot and Blackjack tournaments part of the flash sale, 40% off

[NutsAboutGolf]

Just a FYI

[SHIP TRAVELER]

I was sad to see that the option to buy slot and table play was dropped a few weeks ago.  We did buy that option at 30% off on the Forth of July Sale Flash sale so it has not been gone long.  I doubt if it will be back under this administration but I will keep an eye out.  I have OBC sitting on the sidelines on a future cruise just waiting.....

[NMTraveller]

How often do they have the slot tournaments?  Every night?

[NutsAboutGolf]

4 minutes ago, NMTraveller said:

How often do they have the slot tournaments?  Every night?

 

Blackjack tournaments are usually held twice usually on seadays although I'd imagine only one on the super short cruises

 

Personally not a slot player but can recall they do hold them night (and probably the day)

[NMTraveller]

I signed up.  Any ideas how the slot tournaments work.  Do they run for a certain amount of time?  You spin as fast as you can?

[NaplesKnitter]

Any info on the blackjack tournament?

[NutsAboutGolf]

8 hours ago, NMTraveller said:

I signed up.  Any ideas how the slot tournaments work.  Do they run for a certain amount of time?  You spin as fast as you can?

 

Yes.  That's exactly what it is, all you do is slap the button

[NutsAboutGolf]

2 minutes ago, NaplesKnitter said:

Any info on the blackjack tournament?

 

Generally give you $500 in no-value chips and you play 7 hands.  You can buy as many buy ins as you want and technically it's unlimited rounds of 8(?) players but usually ends after rounds 4-6.  The 8(?) players with the most overall chips sit at the final table.  Top 3 win something, lately have only seen free play prizes but have seen OBC in the past

[mahdnc]

1 hour ago, NaplesKnitter said:

Any info on the blackjack tournament?

 

Blackjack tournaments are not run like conventional tournaments.  It is hosted by the Cruise Director who also is the dealer (for the times I have played).  One table is set aside at the prescribed time for the tournament.  7 players at a time will seat and play 6 hands.  They are given a set of chips at the start ($500).  There is a minimum and maximum bet that can be made--I think the cap is lifted during the last hand.  There is no surrender, no insurance, and blackjack pays 2:1.  I am pretty sure you can split and double after splits as well. 

 

There is no rotation on who gets dealt first during each hand for the tournaments that I have seen.  Again the CDs are running this and they are not hard core about it.  So the player sitting at the first base chair always gets dealt first and the player at third base get dealt last during each hand.  This gives an advantage to the third base player because he/she will always play last during each hand and can make a last minute decision on whether to play aggressively or play it safe depending on how the other players before him/her did.

 

After the first table finishes, another 7 players will be seated and the same thing happens.  And again and again until all the tournament participants have played.  The top 7 scores advance to the final round.  This gives a big advantage to the players being seated in the late rounds because they will have a pretty good idea of what score they have to beat to make the top 7 scores to move to the final round.  It is also possible (but unlikely) that you could be the winner of, say, the 3rd round but if your score is not among the top 7 at the end of the qualifying rounds, you won't make it to the final round.

 

By the way, you are allowed to play more than once if you wish but you have to pay the tournament entrance fee each time--something that Celebrity is more than happy to have you do.  And you can even make the decision in the middle of the tournament.  So I have seen players who didn't like their score from their play (say they were playing in the first round) and they then went to the cashiers cage, paid the entrance fee again and then played again before the qualifying round is finished.  Not exactly fair, but like I said, the CDs are not hard core about running a normal blackjack tournament.

 

During the final round, seating is chosen by each of the 7 players from the qualifying round and they choose in order of descending score.  So if you had the highest score from the qualifying round, you get to choose first.  After all 7 players are seated, they are each given the same fixed amount of chips to wager with.  6 hands are played and the player with the top score wins the tournament.  The rules are essentially the same as before but I think there is no max limit that you can bet.

 

 

 

Edited September 2, 2023 by mahdnc

[LadyBerard]

On 8/31/2023 at 2:29 PM, NutsAboutGolf said:

Just a FYI

Thank you for posting this.  I never even think to check the casino tab for savings.  I was able to prepurchase at the $20.99 rate for blackjack  tournament for my husband for our upcoming cruises on Summit  in 10/2023, Silhouette 1/2024 and Eclipse 10/2024.  🙂

[SHIP TRAVELER]

I call the Celebrity Black Jack Tourneys a "go for broke" format.  It is definitely winner take all and you are not just competing against others at your table but against the total field.  The strategy used on mini Black Jack tournaments in Las Vegas does not work here.  In my opinion these games are a luck situation.but of course someone will win and it could be you. 

[cruznoob57]

18 hours ago, NutsAboutGolf said:

 

Yes.  That's exactly what it is, all you do is slap the button

I used OBC to purchase slot tournament for an upcoming cruise. Is that all I will have to pay? Or do you have to pay more once you're in the casino? Celebrity Casino newbie here, so please explain in detail if you wouldn't mind. 🙂

[ebtrip]

Just booked Blackjack tournament with the discount for my husband and myself. Never thought of doing it in advice.