Casino Question

[bnairuni]

Can I take a blackjack odds sheet into the casino and use it while I play?

 

I got one off of a website and they mentioned bringing it with you when you play.

[Kimq]

Can I take a blackjack odds sheet into the casino and use it while I play?

 

I got one off of a website and they mentioned bringing it with you when you play.

On my last cruise a couple of girls had one and we kept asking for advice. You will make new friends and no one cares. Good Luck!!

[dc-snoopy]

I don't play a lot of casino blackjack, but have some questions for those who have played recently. We are sailing JOS this coming week and I was wondering:

 

Do they allow "surrender"?

Do they allow splitting on any two cards (or only 10/11)?

Do many people place side bets for the dealer? Or should you just tip at the end?

Are there cheap ($1 or $2) tables? And when? Only in the afternoons? Or at night too?

 

Looking forward to the cruise

[rjg41]

I don't play a lot of casino blackjack, but have some questions for those who have played recently. We are sailing JOS this coming week and I was wondering:

 

Do they allow "surrender"?

Do they allow splitting on any two cards (or only 10/11)?

Do many people place side bets for the dealer? Or should you just tip at the end?

Are there cheap ($1 or $2) tables? And when? Only in the afternoons? Or at night too?

 

Looking forward to the cruise

 

As best I can recall---

 

Surrender-yes. Why not, it's a poor bet for the player.

 

Split any card. Splittling tens is not a good move. You're throwing away a winning hand. Only one card on each when splitting aces.

 

$5 is the cheapest table and they are often full.

 

Yes, people do place $1 side bets for the dealers.

 

One other thing, dealer hits on soft 17. Increases their take.

[dc-snoopy]

As best I can recall---

 

Surrender-yes. Why not, it's a poor bet for the player.

 

Split any card. Splittling tens is not a good move. You're throwing away a winning hand. Only one card on each when splitting aces.

 

$5 is the cheapest table and they are often full.

 

Yes, people do place $1 side bets for the dealers.

 

One other thing, dealer hits on soft 17. Increases their take.

 

Thanks...I do know the rules on splitting (I've been reviewing my blackjack strategy), but I know some casinos limit splits to 10/A.

 

How about resplit? (e.g. after splitting aces, if you draw a third ace, are you allowed to split again?)

 

Ick...allowing the casino to hit on soft-17 is not nice.

[BobBeaSea]

I think maybe the OP really meant Double Down when talking about splitting Aces (always) and 10s' (never). I also think the OP meant Insurance (don't take it) rather than Surrender (think of taking it, if offered, if you have 15 against a dealer's 10 or if you have 16 against 9, 10 and Ace). I don't believe "Surrender" is offered on cruise ships- maybe someone can help us on that.

[Reltco]

In my experience you can take anything like that with you as long as it does not give you an advantge over the house such as cheating devices, card counters, etc.. That odds sheet just ensures you get as close to the house edge as possible (i.e. the house still wins). Some casinos will limit the sheet to yourself and may frown on you giving advice to the rest of the table. 've used these in the past but I didn't use one on Mariner or see anyone else so I don't know there attitude; they're usually accepting though. Also make sure you don't interrupt the flow of the play too much. Read up on your "table manners" in the www.wizardofodds.com gambling etiquette section. Also definitely use your $5 match play coupon if you get one.

[WeBeCruisin']

My wife and I play blackjack every possible night on all of our cruises. During all of our trips we've only seen people with "cheat sheets" maybe twice. Both times, the others at the table were annoyed, primarily because the game would be held up while everyone waited for the player to look up the situation on the chart and then make up their mind on what to do. One time it was a couple who would then argue about whether or not to do what the chart suggested. Each time, after the chart-users left, several people at the table would comment on the "rookies" and how they should learn to play the game before they come to the table and delay the game.

 

Another thing which seems to irk a lot of players is people who make foolish plays (like splitting a pair of face cards). There is a tendency for "serious" players to get bent out of shape because they feel there is some kind of divine destiny of how the cards are arranged, and anything which disrupts the natural flow of that destiny changes all the cards for everyone else. This feeling even influences where some people choose to sit. At the Paradisus resort in Punta Cana a year or so ago, there was a young couple from New York City who was so upset about people who "disrupted" destiny that if a player didn't take a hit on 16, this couple would start yelling at them and calling them stupid and accusing them of being responsible for everyone else's losses. It got so bad, that they were thrown out of the casino a couple of times during the week. Ironically, by the end of the week, they had lost all their money but still came to the casino to watch others play and loudly voice their opinions as to how stupidly everyone played.

 

People who have had too much to drink are also not tolerated very well. Especially if they're extremely loud and obnoxious and knocking drinks over.

 

After a few days, though, you tend to gravitate towards tables where the other players are ones who share your philosophy and with whom you feel compatible. On the Summit there were a group of us who played at the single-deck table every night. It was a very congenial group and two of us finished in first and second place at the Blackjack Tournament. (I won!)

 

There do seem to be two distinct types of players. Those who are deadly serious and intent on winning money, and those who are playing for fun and for a change of pace. Unfortunately, sometimes the two groups tend to have "issues" with each other.

[bnairuni]

I am on the cruise to have fun and if I gamble its to have fun.

 

IMHO, if you are on a cruise to win money gambling, then you are taking a cruise for the wrong reasons. There are plenty of "land-locked" casinos around....

[berd0625]

I always had my strategy card out on Grandeur. I know how to play basic strategy but just like a quick reference for some infrequent splits and doubles. The dealers were fine with it, the only negative comment I received was when I sat at the $10 table the "gentleman" to my right made a disparaging remark, suggesting I go back to the $5 table. Needless to say, I was there with my bankroll much longer than he was:) .

[Tamolio]

I've had so called "serious gamblers" make comments about my playing. I study the game before I play but it doesn't stop me from making studid mistakes. Typically I try to make friends with the people at the table. If most of the table snubs me I leave becauae they are not going to be any fun. Most of the time people are great fun and give me helpful advise as I play.

 

Get a feel for the table by watching first if you can. You will be able to tell if your cheat sheet is acceptable to the other players.

 

Good luck!

 

Tammy

[mlroberts23]

As a first time cruiser and also a first time gambler(obviously deprived as I am 45) do they have lessons or beginner tables for us deprived folks! My sister and I will be on Vision of the Seas April 03 and we were wondering about this. Thanks Michelle

[Tamolio]

As a first time cruiser and also a first time gambler(obviously deprived as I am 45) do they have lessons or beginner tables for us deprived folks! My sister and I will be on Vision of the Seas April 03 and we were wondering about this. Thanks Michelle

 

They have gaming lessons during the day. Just watch your cabin TV while you unpack and read your cruise compass.

 

Learn, enjoyand WIN WIN WIN WIN WIN!:D

 

Tammy

[dc-snoopy]

Not only do they have beginner sessions in the casino that anyone on-board can attend (as the previous poster said, just watch the TV schedule or the Compass for listings), but if you play in the afternoons, they tend to be more helpful to beginners. You usually find a game/table in the afternoon where the dealer will be easier and more helpful to the beginners and other beginners will be around and you all can work together teaching yourself.

 

As a beginner, please be cautious when playing at night specifically after dinner into the wee hours of the night. That is when you'll find the "serious" players (I always interpreted that as the players with no sense of humor) who will be less tolerant of beginners and generally ruder. If you want to play during those hours, spend 5 minutes watching a table and guage the composure and attitude of the players. You'll probabyl be able to feel if they would be encouraging to a new player or not. If not, wait for a new table or start a new table.

[mlroberts23]

Thanks all, I will be looking and learning but hopefully also having alot of fun!!! Thanks for the tips. Michelle

[tipster42]

I was at a table where the cheat sheet became the "eighth player", consulted by everyone at the table including, a congenial high roller playing multiple black chips.

 

It was one of those memorable tables where everyone got along and rooted for each other.

 

The kicker of the evening occured when the owner of the sheet decided to leave, and the black chip player actually bought it from him for $100.

[BobBeaSea]

The Casino will provide lessons for the various games they offer. They will probably not provide you with the complete "Basic Stategy" for Blackjack. You can get Basic Strategy off the websites. If you are going to play both main types (single deck & multi-deck) I'd pull both from the web because they do have some differences. As far as playing with people who don't employ Basic Strategy at the table, it doesn't bother me at all. History has proven they help as much as hurt and, at the end of the day, it is all about fun. I do believe the serious gambler has to go with the flow on a cruise ship casino. There are only so many tables available and, unlike Vegas or Atlantic City, finding a majority of people employing Basic Strategy is unlikely except maybe in "off peak hours". Enjoy and have Fun!

[MizzCard]

Perhaps they should consider having "serious" tables and the "seriously fun" tables. I'm there to have fun and win!!!