Celebrity 6:5 Blackjack a Ripoff

[Spurs Fans]

Someone mentioned that Celebrity now has certain blackjack tables which only pay 6:5 for a blackjack. This is a total ripoff game and should be avoided.

 

Blackjack, in it's pure form, provides the best odds of winning for the player. In calculating the odds of winning for a player, a large part of the payoff is collecting a payoff of 3:2 for a true blackjack. (21 on your first two cards.) In many Vegas strip hotels, you will now find this 6:5 payoff. It is a ripoff. Get up, complain and walk away.

 

What is the difference? In true blackjack, a $5 bet which hits a blackjack will pay you $7.50. Under 6:5 blackjack, the payout would be $6. This gives a tremendous advantage to the house which is not present in true blackjack.

 

What should you do? If you see a table that has a 6:5 payout, ask the pit boss why they have ripoff blackjack and tell him that you will not be playing that table under those rules.

[Ma Bell]

Someone mentioned that Celebrity now has certain blackjack tables which only pay 6:5 for a blackjack. This is a total ripoff game and should be avoided.

 

Blackjack, in it's pure form, provides the best odds of winning for the player. In calculating the odds of winning for a player, a large part of the payoff is collecting a payoff of 3:2 for a true blackjack. (21 on your first two cards.) In many Vegas strip hotels, you will now find this 6:5 payoff. It is a ripoff. Get up, complain and walk away.

 

What is the difference? In true blackjack, a $5 bet which hits a blackjack will pay you $7.50. Under 6:5 blackjack, the payout would be $6. This gives a tremendous advantage to the house which is not present in true blackjack.

 

What should you do? If you see a table that has a 6:5 payout, ask the pit boss why they have ripoff blackjack and tell him that you will not be playing that table under those rules.

 

It's single deck blackjack and I guess they think there are enough card counters to justify the different odds. I don't play there either.

[flagger]

There are enough newbie players just as in Vegas where 6:5 has prime placement and the table has a low limit and is usually filled to the brim with players.

 

You don't see too many card counters on the ships and some pretty bad ones at that. Lots of times I sat next to folks who would split double face cards.

 

I am convinced if they had 4:5 blackjack with some side sucker bet of $10 grand people would play. Heck I am sure you would get people playing if they had to pay $1 for every blackjack they won.

[Ma Bell]

Yes, there are a lot of bad players. It's bad enough that the dealer has an advantage without the players contributing to the problem. LOL I like to play one on one with the dealer if at all possible and just get up and leave if someone plays like that.

[CathyCruises]

We had a 6 deck shoe on Summit recently, but normal payout for blackjack. However, I can't tell you how many times I got up and walked away because of ignorant players ruining the game--hitting a 14 when the dealer had a 5 showing, for example. It was hard to be patient and wait for a table where people actually understood the game. Bottom line, though, I walked away ahead--not a lot, but enough to make me happy!

 

Didn't see the 6:5 anywhere.

 

cp

[cruzmaven]

Unfortunately 6:5 blackjack (for single deck games anyway) is becomming more of the rule than the exception. No matter where you play.

 

So you end up playing either against a multideck shoe or with the 6:5 payoffs. Either way the house increases its odds.

[flagger]

All of the shoes on Solstice were 8 deck shoes. They were six deck shoes on the Jewel in September. Will be interesting to see what they are on Liberty next week.

[Karynanne]

You learn to spot the players that really don't know the game. I quickly leave. But I agree with MaBell. Playing one-on-one with the dealer is great!

[Gonzo70]

We had a 6 deck shoe on Summit recently, but normal payout for blackjack. However, I can't tell you how many times I got up and walked away because of ignorant players ruining the game--hitting a 14 when the dealer had a 5 showing, for example. It was hard to be patient and wait for a table where people actually understood the game. Bottom line, though, I walked away ahead--not a lot, but enough to make me happy!

 

Didn't see the 6:5 anywhere.

 

cp

 

You are aware that this has zero impact on your chances of winning? People hitting or standing when the odds say to do otherwise have an equal chance of helping you out as they do hurting you. Not sure why it would make you walk away since it has no net impact on your potential to win hands.

[Spurs Fans]

You are aware that this has zero impact on your chances of winning? People hitting or standing when the odds say to do otherwise have an equal chance of helping you out as they do hurting you. Not sure why it would make you walk away since it has no net impact on your potential to win hands.

 

Yeah, but it makes me feel better not to have to sit there and see idiots play the game without a clue on what they should do.

[BurgerBits]

Blackjack is my favorite... and yes, it's INCREDIBLY irritating to play with people who don't know what they're doing.

 

This ain't Vegas, though; I can't tell you how many folks I've seen place their very first Blackjack bet on a cruise ship.

 

Just the cost of admission if you want to be able to enjoy that kind of entertainment aboard.

[Ma Bell]

It is true that mathematically other players have no effect on whether you win or lose, but they do drive you crazy. It is also true that you have a better chance of winning when you play one on one. For some reason most players are reluctant to do this.

[flagger]

It is true that mathematically other players have no effect on whether you win or lose, but they do drive you crazy. It is also true that you have a better chance of winning when you play one on one. For some reason most players are reluctant to do this.

I won't do it in Vegas because there I am building comps. I get less hands per hour with a full table as opposed to one on one. On a ship, I am not playing for comps...heck even the drinks aren't free like in LV.

 

To get rated for comps at most places on the strip they want to see fours of play per day at $25 a hand. I can stretch my hours out with bathroom breaks if there is a full table than doing it one on one.

[cpj]

You are aware that this has zero impact on your chances of winning? People hitting or standing when the odds say to do otherwise have an equal chance of helping you out as they do hurting you. Not sure why it would make you walk away since it has no net impact on your potential to win hands.

IN THE LONG RUN IS HAS NO IMPACT BUT YOUR NOT PLAYING IN THE LONG RUN. iF YOUR GOING TO PLAY FOR AN HOUR OR LESS IT WILL AFFECT YOU. I also walk away when the dumb players showup.

[Ma Bell]

I won't do it in Vegas because there I am building comps. I get less hands per hour with a full table as opposed to one on one. On a ship, I am not playing for comps...heck even the drinks aren't free like in LV.

 

To get rated for comps at most places on the strip they want to see fours of play per day at $25 a hand. I can stretch my hours out with bathroom breaks if there is a full table than doing it one on one.

 

Flagger, they do rate you on Celebrity ships and they definitely will give you free drinks if you are playing. I'm not much of a drinker but they give me coupons that I give to my husband or friends. I have a pretty good sized credit on my next cruise. I do understand wanting to get the comps, but I'd rather win the money.

[lobster129]

I love blackjack! :D But I agree with leaving a table if you have a real novice that is not interested in learning the game and plays "stupid". Often novice players are interested is "what to do" under specific situations (they have a pair of 3s and the dealer has a three up card). At least experienced players can offer them information as to what the odds are for various "decisions" (as if REAL decisions are made by experienced players except what to bet each hand)

 

I have generally found there are often more seasoned players @ the $25 table (or another larger minimum)...but I know this is not always true, plus not everyone wants to play at this monatary level. Good luck to those at the $5 tables!:eek:

 

Lobster129

[dkjretired]

A little OT but did you guys see that they will be permitting the casinos to be open in Bermuda after 10:00P.M. while the ship is in port. Starts in April, 09.

[tipster42]

I agree that the play of the duffers hand has no impact on your outcome.

 

That doesn't change the chagrine you feel when you have built up a sizable bet, and the idiot (sorry newcomer) on 3rd base takes the dealer's bust card!

 

I don't like to table hop though. I prefer to say calm, play my cards and wait for the "clumping" of winning hands in my favor.

 

Some ways to keep clear of the newbies are: to play at odd hours; right after the table opens, during the show, early on sea days etc.

 

Try to find a group of simpatico players to take up most of the seats at the table (this is much easier on a cruise ship, where the same players are in the casino every night. I've had this happen several times and it makes for a really enjoyable gaming experience. If funds allow you can play at a higher stakes table.

 

Finally this is a cruise. Put your casino play into perspective, and have fun regardless of the newcomers to the game. We all had to learn sometime, and maybe they can learn a thing or two from you.

[Lou33]

IN THE LONG RUN IS HAS NO IMPACT BUT YOUR NOT PLAYING IN THE LONG RUN. iF YOUR GOING TO PLAY FOR AN HOUR OR LESS IT WILL AFFECT YOU. I also walk away when the dumb players showup.

 

It will not affect you in the slightest in the long run or the short run. The decisions that another player makes has an equal chance of helping you or hurting you. A bad decision by a player can hurt only that player.

 

I don't mind unskilled players. Actually, if everyone was a very skilled player, then the casinos would make less money, and they would have more incentive to add rules like 6-5 Blackjack.

 

On a cruise ship, face it, the rules an not favorable, the cards are stacked against you. You cannot make money in the long run so just do it for fun.

 

These days, even in Las Vegas, it is almost impossible to find a game that is favorable to a skilled player. I will never play 6-5 blackjack.

[Spurs Fans]

I have been hurt and helped by dumb players.

 

I will be in Vegas in January. We are staying at Caesars while my wife is at a conference. I will not play blackjack there all of their tables below $50 are 6:5. I have even seen some tables on the Strip that pay even money for blackjack. I have scouted out smaller casinos nearby such as the Tuscany which has normal blackjack rules and will play there. I will not contribute to a 6:5 game. In fact, I will walk around at Caesar's and make a point of telling a pit boss that I will not play the ripoff game. I will do the same on our next cruise if that is what is available.

[chepar]

Finally this is a cruise. Put your casino play into perspective, and have fun regardless of the newcomers to the game. We all had to learn sometime, and maybe they can learn a thing or two from you.

 

I agree.

 

Calling the newbie players "idiots", "dumb" and "stupid" seems rather harsh. Everyone was a beginner at some point and I doubt you would have liked been called an idiot as you learned the game yourself.

[jagoffee]

It is true that mathematically other players have no effect on whether you win or lose, but they do drive you crazy. It is also true that you have a better chance of winning when you play one on one. For some reason most players are reluctant to do this.

 

Why is it that you have a better chance of winning when you play one on one?

[gsarnow]

What is the table minimum on the solstice for blackjack?

[BOB AND PINKIE]

I was playing Blackjack in San Juan on a pre-cruise stay.

In SJ, the dealer does not take his second card until all players

have finished .

I had a fairly heavy bet down and was dealt a pair of 8's. Split and

got a third 8 and split again. Dealer was showing a K.

My next cards were were two 3's and a 2. Pressed all three hands

and got three face cards. Big smile on my face.

Guy on third base had a twelve He stood and announced that it

was "against his religion to draw when he had 12 of more". Dealer then drew an A. If I had a gun, I might have shot the SOB on third base. The first card out of the shoe on the next deal was an 8. Walked away in disgust.

Agree that I will not play 6:5 for BJ.

[Ma Bell]

It's easier to keep track of the cards when it's one on one if you count cards at all. Blackjack also runs in streaks and when you are winning you want to be able to play more hands in a shorter period of time.

 

You can also lose faster if things are not going well, but it's easier to just leave when you are playing alone because you are not tempted to stay because of the camaraderie at the table.