Casino Novice

[Deno1]

Well, we leave on Adventure on July 28th (can't wait) I have a 225.00 casino credit from my travel agent. I am a novice at gambling and I am wondering do people really win money on cruises and what would be the best game to try my luck at. I typically will use the slot machines..... (either quarter or dollar machines)

 

Thanks for any tips. It would be GREAT to actually win something!

[cb at sea]

Before you start using that credit on anything other than the slots, study up on each game, so you will have SOME idea of how to play! If you really don't know what you're doing, others tend to get a bit perturbed if you don't play "correctly". (This mainly applies to Blackjack, where what YOU do, affects the other player's hand!)

[MICHIGAN MAMA]

If you don't want to gamble your credit away, you should check to see if your "Casino Credit" can be used anywhere else on board or if it must be used in the casino.

[jerick]

Blackjack would probably be the best table game to get started with, though unless you are a serious player, plan to have fun and allow for some "entertainment expense" (losses). The odds are better with Blackjack than with Caribbean Poker, Fun 21, and other novelty games. There should be a free Blackjack class on the first or second day of the cruise. If you have time, do check a book out from the library and learn the basics.

 

When you sit down, feel free to let people know that you are learning the game. Many dealers are nice enough to offer advice and suggestions as you play. If they are especially nice, consider tipping the dealer a dollar or two when you leave (unless you are broke by that time ;)). Often, your table mates will also try to be helpful (don't tip them :rolleyes:), and you can get good and bad advice from them. You might find yourself at a table with someone who gets annoyed if someone doesn't play perfectly, but most people realize that whether you make a good choice or a bad choice does not affect the randomness of the cards. You are just as likely to help the table as you are to hurt it by making the wrong decision. Until you get comfortable, play when the tables are not too crowded, but do join a table that has a few people at it.

 

Most of all, have a good time. A pleasant dealer and a group of people enjoying themselves at a blackjack table is a lot of fun!

 

Jeff

[cprincess]

I have only played the slots. I won and I've lost. But had fun every time.:D

[NJBill]

I would play roulette. Slots are generally the worst odds in the house. BAsic roulette is easy to follow;)

[TEXASMUNK]

Sign for $225.00 in chips. Then cash in a few of the chips for slot coins.

Then head tothe cashier and cash in your chips for $$$$

[AZjohn]

Blackjack would probably be the best table game to get started with. There should be a free Blackjack class on the first or second day of the cruise. If you have time, do check a book out from the library and learn the basics.

 

When you sit down, feel free to let people know that you are learning the game. Many dealers are nice enough to offer advice and suggestions as you play.

 

Please let the players at your table know you are new at the game because not only will the dealer help show you how to play, all the other players can do the same also (it's not against the rules to help each other out).

Many new players feel intimidated playing BJ the first time, but everyone started new once in their life;) . What you will discover is that you are not playing against anyone at the table except the dealer (you do not need a better hand then players sitting next to you to win). And you will also learn that most experienced players will hope the dealer bust, which means everyone at the table who hasn't busted themselves will win (very important to understand this part).

It's easy game and I personally enjoy in beacause all the players on a table are on the same team and rooting for each other:D !

Enjoy,

John

[MercedMike]

Before you start using that credit on anything other than the slots, study up on each game, so you will have SOME idea of how to play! If you really don't know what you're doing, others tend to get a bit perturbed if you don't play "correctly". (This mainly applies to Blackjack, where what YOU do, affects the other player's hand!)

 

OK, I'm not a big gambler, but explain to me how you play Blackjack "correctly," and how you can affect another player's hand by playing "incorrectly"??

 

Blackjack is a very simple game. The only decision you make is to hit or not, or to double down or not. While there are some general rules of probability, it is still a matter of luck and chance what you decide. And at a table, you are only playing against the dealer, so I totally don't understand how you can affect another player. The only thing I could see you affect might be his superstitions, and I certainly don't see how anyone is obligated to cater to another's superstitions.

 

Enlighten a person sitting in darkness?

[Gonzo70]

You are just as likely to help the table as you are to hurt it by making the wrong decision.

 

This is so true. I can't believe how many people get upset when someone does the "wrong" move at Blackjack. They get mad at the person when it leads to the dealer winning, but don't thank the person when it leads to the dealer busting.

[wolfganghowell]

Absolutely you can make a decision on blackjack that influences the table. Yes you are playing the odds but there are many reasons for "righ" and "wrong" moves. It depends on what the dealer is showing and what you have. For example, when the dealer is showing a 15 and you have a 12 or 13 you should not take a hit. You are "expecting" that the dealer will draw a 10 or higher and bust. Don't be tempted to hit thinking that there are more cards lower than a 10! Like others have said, if you are new, watch a few hands and other experienced players and the dealer will help you. A cruise is a great place to learn a new game because the interaction is friendlier and more relaxed. But yes BJ players can be impatient if someone keeps making "dumb" mistakes which can indeed cost them money.

 

Roulette is a great table game to start on since you can play with little money and usually make it last a decent time. There are all sorts of way to play and none of them are "wrong" or affect other players.

 

Have fun and don't be afraid to socialize with the other players. Most people are very friendly at table games.

[NJBill]

OK, I'm not a big gambler, but explain to me how you play Blackjack "correctly," and how you can affect another player's hand by playing "incorrectly"??

 

Blackjack is a very simple game. The only decision you make is to hit or not, or to double down or not. While there are some general rules of probability, it is still a matter of luck and chance what you decide. And at a table, you are only playing against the dealer, so I totally don't understand how you can affect another player. The only thing I could see you affect might be his superstitions, and I certainly don't see how anyone is obligated to cater to another's superstitions.

 

Enlighten a person sitting in darkness?

 

More advanced players like to play hands based on certain odds,and everyone kind of relies on the next guy to hold the line and make the move that statistically are more advantageous to everyone. If one person makes moves that are not statistically favorable, it affect the rest of the table. There is no "right way" but there is a way to play that statistically improves your chances of winning. It is still chance....:)

[Deno1]

Well, I really do not want to do anything that would upset seasoned players. I know it can be frustrating for someone trying to learn the game when others are serious about playing.

 

I think I will stick to the slot machines. Have any of you actually won money on slots. More than a few dollars? The wheel of fortune game always looks fun. I think that one is $3.00 bets.

 

Thanks again!

[Sue L]

Well, I really do not want to do anything that would upset seasoned players. I know it can be frustrating for someone trying to learn the game when others are serious about playing.

 

I think I will stick to the slot machines. Have any of you actually won money on slots. More than a few dollars? The wheel of fortune game always looks fun. I think that one is $3.00 bets.

 

Thanks again!

 

 

I won $300 on a nickel machine on my first ten dollars.

[wolfganghowell]

I have won quite a few times on slots - especially WOF.

 

Don't let us scare you from tables - they can be quite fun and really people love to help new players. It's only when the new players refuse and ignore any help that people get irritated.

[tim_alabim]

If other players think your "bad play" effects their chances, then they are the ignorant ones. It's all a matter of randomness in the cards, so you are just as likely to help as to hurt no matter what you do. The only one you can hurt with a "bad play" is yourself.

[libertybelle41]

You can always slip some $$$ on Black or Red, Odd or even on roulette. I do that sometimes just passing through the casino.

 

 

 

We've never won very much on the ship's casino, maybe $50.00 here and there

[libertybelle41]

also, on Black jack...I know the basics of how to play it's the ins, or splitting or doubling down or whatever that I'm not used to so I just watch.

[firstcruiserDB]

In my opinion, if you want to learn to play Blackjack, a cruise is the best place to do it! It seems much less stressful than an onland casino....I guess because everyone is on vacation!

 

We played (pretty much first timers) on our recent Mariner cruise and had a great time! We even won a little! We found both the dealers and the fellow players to be very helpful. It was fun cheering for each other.

 

On the other hand, the slots (which is what we usually do) were sooooo tight! After the first night, they rarely hit on ANYTHING! Not much fun at all. There were few slots less than a quarter, and they paid in actual coins instead of the tickets.

 

Have fun!

[b72bronc]

If you are going to gamble make sure you know how much you are going to lose or how much you want to win. Stop when you have reached your limit. Follow the advice of some of the posters and go to the gambling lessons that the casino will provide. Craps is your best odds unless they have baccarat, but craps takes a little time to learn and takes a little more of a bankroll to play. 21 is also a good play and the dealers are more than happy to help you. Slots are slots. Every spin is a random spin. Most people believe that some machines are hot and some machines are cold etc. If you get lucky you get lucky. Your best odds on slots would be the poker machines. The win is posted right in front of you so you know the odds. Plus like at any poker table common sense will prevail. I spent 11 years in the gaming industry as a dealer, boxman, shift boss, and casino manager in Reno, Las Vegas, and for NCL. The goal is to have fun not to get stuck and then try and get even. The two biggest factors in gaming are fear and greed. Greed in that you want to get on the train while lady luck is smiling and fear that you want to get off the train before it crashes. You are on a cruise, you cannot go across the street to a different casino, you are trapped. So have fun, know when to quit, and drink frozen thingy's. Garlicruiser

[Royalpair]

On both our cruises, my husband won around $100 on the first night. He heard the first and last night are the "loosest". We had pretty good luck on our last night on HAL. But we're the type to play a certain amount on the slots, and keep playing until we run out. I guess we play for fun. I get excited just getting a cherry and getting 2 credits back!

[suwaneedad]

Do I need cash to obtain chips, or can I just charge chips to my Seapass account (without paying a cash advance fee on my credit card)? I really don't want to bring much cash on the cruise, but do expect to spend a few evenings in the casino.

[AZjohn]

Do I need cash to obtain chips, or can I just charge chips to my Seapass account (without paying a cash advance fee on my credit card)? I really don't want to bring much cash on the cruise, but do expect to spend a few evenings in the casino.

 

The way I have played on every cruise I have been on so far is to go up to the casino cashier window and tell them how much money I would like to have. This amount can be for any amount, such as just one night gambling money to extra money needed for our excursions the next day. They will just ask for your ship card and have you sign a slip of paper and then they give you cash (oh, and will charge your on board account too:rolleyes: ….lol)

John

[ColoradoMom!!]

Do they have video poker?

[wolfganghowell]

They have video poker but the odds are horrendous. Mr Wolf is a VP fiend and he refuses to play them on ships.