RCI Poker Tournaments / Win a cruise event

[the rev]

The final table was over in about an hour. Despite being able to make it to the top 3 and win the cruise, I was very upset about this structure. There eas basically no value for the $100 we all spent (and some people spent more with re-buys and add ons) Not to mention the time we all devoted to play in the prelim rounds and the final table. It didn't tell me that Royal Caribbean valued their cutomers' money enough to provide a better structure or at least put some more planning or thought into the tourney. They should at least have the final table structured differently.

 

From reading this thread, it sounds like the tourney that is played on the Dec 7 cruise will have a better structure. I'm happy about this as it will allow people to play real poker rather rely on pure luck. I hope to see/meet some of you that will also be there.

 

Here are some key hands in case anyone is interested - I caught pocket aces twice and got paid off both times. Also, I had a major suck out on another player when he had pocket jacks and I had A9 on a 9 high flop. It all went in on the flop and I caught a 9 on the turn to eliminate him. The other hand I remember is folding pocket Jacks preflop on the very first hand of the final table. I opened for a standard preflop raise, someone in late position re-raised for about 4x my bet and the then the big blind shoved all in which would have been about 75% of my stack. I though really hard and mucked. The late position player called the all in. Late position player showed AQ and big blind showed 88. The flop came AQ8! AQ couldnt improve and the big blind doubled up leaving the late position player extremely short stacked. She was eliminated a couple hands later. I made a good lay down. Had I called, it pretty much would have sealed my fate (with this structure). If not for those lucky hands and good decisons I probably would not have won the cruise.

 

Good luck everyone!

 

Good lay-down with the JJ. I see you're from Chicago... did you play in the last WSOPc at Hammond? I'm from Wisconsin so it's an easy trip for me.

 

See you in December!!

Edited March 28, 2013 by the rev

[RetiredArmy]

Just finished a cruise on the Allure. The poker tournament paid three cruises (for December 2014) and 4th place made a little over $400. The payout for each cruise differs based on the amount of entries/re-buys.

 

The format is a single table elimination with a max of 7 players at each table. Starting chip stack was 1000 with an option for an immediate add-on of an additional 1000. Re-buys and add-ons (if under 1000 in chips) were $50 and unlimited for the first 40 blinds. The table winner takes their chips to the final table so each player has a different amount of starting chips for the final session.

 

The final table starts with a max of 9 players depending on the number of entries during the qualifying rounds. All tournament action had live dealers (on the Allure anyway). Blinds go up every 10 minutes and you quickly find yourself in the position of going all in as you head to heads-up play.

[DevonianCruiser]

Any of you guys going on the 7th December have any update of the itinerary?

[tekeella]

My husband played on Liberty in March ($100 buy in) made it to the final table got 3rd place and took home about $450. Once he was in the top 3 he started playing looser because we didn't want the free cruise, he is a teacher and the December 7 sail date would be extremely hard for us to sort out. When asked if it was transferable they were pretty vague and didn't seem to know for sure.

 

It was a great experience for him, as he had never really played live much (lots of online) and because it was our honeymoon half his entry fee was covered by gifted casino money!

[Merion_Mom]

Any of you guys going on the 7th December have any update of the itinerary?

 

By itinerary, do you mean the ship's itinerary or the schedule for the tournament?

 

Ship's itinerary is easily available on RC's website: it's the western caribbean route: Labadee, Jamaica and Cozumel.

 

If you mean poker, I have no idea. :)

[DevonianCruiser]

By itinerary, do you mean the ship's itinerary or the schedule for the tournament?

 

Ship's itinerary is easily available on RC's website: it's the western caribbean route: Labadee, Jamaica and Cozumel.

 

If you mean poker, I have no idea. :)

 

Yep sorry, it was the poker I needed to know about. Thanks.

[the rev]

Any of you guys going on the 7th December have any update of the itinerary?

 

The info I posted up-stream I got by having them send me the info from 2012.

 

It would be nice to have the info for 2013 so we could plan entertainment, specialty food, etc.:confused:

[labeachcomber]

On Oasis, I hardly ever saw anybody playing poker. Maybe one time all week where there were three people playing with perhaps $20. I'm not even sure if the tournament ran all the time, it seemed like there was very little interest. Maybe it just depends on the sailing...

[DevonianCruiser]

The info I posted up-stream I got by having them send me the info from 2012.

 

It would be nice to have the info for 2013 so we could plan entertainment, specialty food, etc.:confused:

 

The rev the poker team have told me that they can't release details until the cruise has close for players, which is the beginning of September I believe. Then they will know how many players etc.

 

We will be split into two large groups initially, unfortunately I don't think you find that out until you arrive on the ship.

[Babygirl08]

Good lay-down with the JJ. I see you're from Chicago... did you play in the last WSOPc at Hammond? I'm from Wisconsin so it's an easy trip for me.

 

See you in December!!

 

Just remember in poker your decision is right or wrong at the time you make it, not after you see how it turns out.

 

For example, if you knew the other two held AQ and 88, would you have called? I suspect you might have depending on chip stacks relative to blind sizes. The fact that JJ folded tells me either he didn't want to gamble against two higher cards (thought he was getting the wrong odds) or he thought he was already beaten (not true).

 

The fact the flop was AQ8 is irrelevant to the pre-flop read and decision.

[itching2cruiseagain]

I don't know much about the poker tourney, but I won the slot tournament in March on the Liberty. No 1099 and I would have been able to change my cruise to another 5 night cruise. If I had changed I would have lost out on my entry into the $100,000 tourney on Dec. 2, 2013. With port taxes, fees and upgrade to balcony it was still a great deal. :)

Below is the contact info. and a link to the info. on Royal's site. They can give you more information. I am a member of Club Royale and have found them to be very helpful.

(888) 561-2234 or email clubroyale@rccl.com.

http://www.royalcaribbean.com/findacruise/experiencetypes/product.do?pagename=onboard_prod_tournaments

[DevonianCruiser]

Hi

 

Has anyone been emailed or posted the poker itinerary yet?

 

When I called in August they said it should be sent out in the next few weeks. Not long now :-)

[ChiBil7]

Just remember in poker your decision is right or wrong at the time you make it, not after you see how it turns out.

 

For example, if you knew the other two held AQ and 88, would you have called? I suspect you might have depending on chip stacks relative to blind sizes. The fact that JJ folded tells me either he didn't want to gamble against two higher cards (thought he was getting the wrong odds) or he thought he was already beaten (not true).

 

The fact the flop was AQ8 is irrelevant to the pre-flop read and decision.

 

Thanks for your insight. I will provide further background on the hand in question. First off, if I was in a "real" poker tournament I would have gone deep into the tank. However, in the interest of not using up 1-2 blind levels I made a quicker decision than usual. Had the structure been even remotely accommodating to the players I would have made the call 100%. However, this this structure it was all about survival... And I was not going to but 75% of my chips at risk against 2 players knowing that one would be extremely crippled. I also knew at best i was 50/50 agianst one of the players and could have possibly been a 4-1 underdog to one of them as well. I wanted to pick better spots given my stack at the time and fortunate for me picked up aces twice and got paid both times. I also had a pretty sick suck out as well. You are correct though... In a normal poker setting it was a bad decision to fold the JJ, however, in this setting I see nothing wrong with it. Math and odds were not apart of this game. It was 90% just being able to hang on to the chips you have and 10% getting your chips in good. Thanks!

Edited September 13, 2013 by ChiBil7

[flyinj24]

Hi

 

Has anyone been emailed or posted the poker itinerary yet?

 

When I called in August they said it should be sent out in the next few weeks. Not long now :-)

 

Devonian, I am also on the cruise in December for the tournament. I have not seen any additional information yet. I called a couple of days ago to ask, but the lady I talked to did not have anything more than has already been posted here.

 

Looking forward to the cruise! - Jon

[the rev]

Hi everyone,

 

Here's the latest info I've gotten from Club Royale... not much but as least something! It looks pretty much like 2012.

 

2013 Royal Poker Tournament Events Schedule

 

 

Please note that this schedule is subject to change. This is the most up to date information that we have for our tournament winners.

 

 

Saturday, Dec 7th - Ft. Lauderdale

Welcome Aboard Cocktail Party from 5 - 6 pm (Location not yet determined) Seating assignments available from 7 - 11 pm

 

Sunday, Dec 8th - At Sea

First Round of Royal Poker Tournament from 12 - 6 pm (break from 3 - 3:30 pm)

 

Monday, Dec 9th - Labadee

Second Round of Royal Poker Tournament from 3 - 11 pm (dinner break from 6 - 8 pm)

 

Tuesday, Dec 10th - Falmouth, Jamaica

Third Round of Royal Poker Tournament from 7:30 pm until down to 45 players (or five tables)

 

Wednesday, Dec 11th - At Sea

From 1 pm - play down to six players

 

Thursday, Dec 12th - Cozumel, Mexico

Royal Poker Tournament Grand Final from 9 pm with six players - held in Studio B Extra tournaments and cash games will be offered throughout the week.

Edited October 3, 2013 by the rev

[Deeliteful]

Frustrating. I've won this tournament twice and never been enough players/rebuys for a cruise :-/ On our TA in March from San Juan no one was playing poker. I hope this won't be the case in November on TA to San Juan!

[oneputt18]

Don't feel bad. DH made it to the last table on our cruise. First hand 2 aces. Another player at the table went all in with 2 nines. You guessed it - a 9 in the river.

 

Worse than that I went all in with four ladies other guy called and he drew a inside straight flush on the river.

Would have been worth a lot of money at Seminole casino '' bad beat''

 

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[DevonianCruiser]

I was hoping to have been emailed by now on the tournament.

 

Would anyone know of a good place to stay in FL a couple of nights before the cruise that has poker games to play. I, flying from the UK and wouldn't mind having a game. I know I won the cruise on my ship but I don't really play and wouldn't mind a practice.

 

Thanks.

[oneputt18]

I was hoping to have been emailed by now on the tournament.

 

Would anyone know of a good place to stay in FL a couple of nights before the cruise that has poker games to play. I, flying from the UK and wouldn't mind having a game. I know I won the cruise on my ship but I don't really play and wouldn't mind a practice.

 

Thanks.

 

Hard Rock in Hollywood and Seminole Casino in Coconut Creek both have poker Probably better off with Hard Rock, it's not that far from Port Everglades.

 

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[DevonianCruiser]

Hard Rock in Hollywood and Seminole Casino in Coconut Creek both have poker Probably better off with Hard Rock, it's not that far from Port Everglades.

 

Sent from my DROID RAZR using Forums mobile app

 

Thanks I'll take a look. Stayed in Hard Rock in Orlando for a week in July and loved it.

[the rev]

Hi all,

 

Anybody heard anything more about the poker tournament? One of the questions I have is whether all players are from winning satellites, or does RCI allow other 'invited' guests play?

[DevonianCruiser]

Hi all,

 

Anybody heard anything more about the poker tournament? One of the questions I have is whether all players are from winning satellites, or does RCI allow other 'invited' guests play?

 

Hi the rev

 

If you email clubroyale@rccl.com they will give you the itinerary of play. I've tried to copy and paste their email but can't on my iPad.

 

I think the tournament is made up of players who won their poker games on each ship, though I'm sure I read somewhere that on the first night there is a game which is $200 entry and the winner gets a seat in our game. Can't remember where I read that or how true it is but I guess that they it will mean more money in the pot.

 

I'm yet to hear how many players there or, or what the prize breakdown is for this year. Even though I'll get knocked out the first hand with pocket kings against pocket aces no doubt, I'd still like to know :D:D

[pmk515]

Looks like I've got another thing to do on the Allure this coming January...

[barryg9999]

We did not enter the poker tournament on the Allure however we did win a free cruise playing bingo!

[the rev]

I sent another e-mail to Club Royale in hopes of getting some firm information about the tournament. Interested so that we can plan for speciality restaurants, shows, and other activities unrelated to poker!!

 

Greg