Blackjack

[need2bespoiled]

Every tabke. I should have asked for a higher limit tabke when I started by myself. Oh well.

 

Happy Ssiling,

Jenna

 

 

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[leisuretraveler223]

I am a Vegas regular, and the original rules posted by the OP aren't that far off from the standard now. Excepting the 8 decks instead of 6 (house edge improvement of approximately 0.15%).

 

In Vegas two weeks ago, the only Stand on Soft 17 at The Wynn was in the Salon. Even $300 tables on the floor on Saturday night were hist Soft 17. Same at Venetian, Bellagio, Aria and MGM. Stand on Soft 17 is getting harder to find everywhere.

 

Also, don't know the last time I saw a single deck game that wasn't 6:5.

 

My bigger hangup is that the casino on board is not up to standard. Dealers are fair at best and make a LOT of mistakes, so keep your eyes open.

 

Even more troubling is the fact that the shoe is not protected. In all other casinos, open a table and you start with 6 (or eight) new decks. after a certain period of time, they're all replaced. When this is done, it takes place right at the table, in plain sight for anyone to see. On board, the table closes and they carry the shoe to the cage and put it away. Then, when the table opens, back out it comes! Not that I think they would intentionally do anything, but back to the amateur level of the staff, I have no doubt accidents happen, shoes get dropped or cards spill out. I'm sure the "think" they've got them all, but no way putting my usual Vegas bank roll on that!

[ghstudio]

How do the odds for the house change if they would use continuous shuffling machines....vs 8 deck shoe?

[Tom-n-Cheryl]

How do the odds for the house change if they would use continuous shuffling machines....vs 8 deck shoe?

 

Counterintuitively, the odds for the run-of-the-mill basic strategy player are slightly improved by a CSM over a shoe. For counters, that's another matter...

 

The drawback, which easily eats up any reduced house advantage, is that you're going to play more hands per hour - thus exposing yourself to higher potential losses.

 

I don't count, and the best runs I've had were all at CSM games - getting up many thousands each day over 3-4 days time. Unfortunately, there were still a few days left on that cruise...

 

Tom

Edited December 29, 2015 by Tom-n-Cheryl

[Ma Bell]

I hate to be the bearer of bad news but many of the major hotels in Las Vegas are now 6/5 for anything less than a $25 table.

[Karynanne]

I agree. My last cruise all of the BJ tables were $5-$300 with many who didn't have the basic grasp. I played less than normal and when I did I often started at a table by myself but was frequently joined by others. There were a few of those fun tables when everyone "got it" and it was fun, social and profitable but in 15 days it was the rarity. It's just not fun for me to play with a bunch of long faces when others wonder why they keep loosing when they stay on 14 with 10

Showing.

 

Oh well, it was still mostly fun.

 

Happy sailing,

Jenna

 

 

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

I agree Jenna. I enjoy playing Blackjack with "seasoned" players. It keeps the play fast, and no one is second guessing their next move. If I lose, then I know I've played well, and not because of poor play.

[CrankySailor]

I am a Vegas regular, and the original rules posted by the OP aren't that far off from the standard now. Excepting the 8 decks instead of 6 (house edge improvement of approximately 0.15%).

 

In Vegas two weeks ago, the only Stand on Soft 17 at The Wynn was in the Salon. Even $300 tables on the floor on Saturday night were hist Soft 17. Same at Venetian, Bellagio, Aria and MGM. Stand on Soft 17 is getting harder to find everywhere.

 

Also, don't know the last time I saw a single deck game that wasn't 6:5.

 

My bigger hangup is that the casino on board is not up to standard. Dealers are fair at best and make a LOT of mistakes, so keep your eyes open.

 

Even more troubling is the fact that the shoe is not protected. In all other casinos, open a table and you start with 6 (or eight) new decks. after a certain period of time, they're all replaced. When this is done, it takes place right at the table, in plain sight for anyone to see. On board, the table closes and they carry the shoe to the cage and put it away. Then, when the table opens, back out it comes! Not that I think they would intentionally do anything, but back to the amateur level of the staff, I have no doubt accidents happen, shoes get dropped or cards spill out. I'm sure the "think" they've got them all, but no way putting my usual Vegas bank roll on that!

 

 

Agree - Vegas, especially on-strip, nearly impossible to find a good game (all 6-deck shoes with H17...or worse...those same rules with CSMs).

There is one fabulous game at Bally's in the "High Limit" room - it's $25 min (so not really high limit), but is a S17 game (and I think resplitting Aces is allowed). There is also a $25 two-deck game in that room, but I think it is a H17 (still better than the 6-deck mess on the main floor).

I try to get my friends to stay off-strip for better gaming - but with no luck. Not sure what the issue is - they never leave the property we are staying in! So, I just play craps in LV (or if I want something slow and relaxing, PaiGow Poker).

[ulster-cruiser]

Do Celebrity have any side bets for their blackjack tables...such as on NCL there is lucky ladies where you are paid out if first two cards sum to 20?

[Ma Bell]

Do Celebrity have any side bets for their blackjack tables...such as on NCL there is lucky ladies where you are paid out if first two cards sum to 20?

 

Yes, they have the same thing on one of the tables.

[J&B in GA]

On our last cruise to Norway on Princess the casino was practically empty every night. I was told it was due to our departure from Southampton with a large number of Brits on board who don't gamble as much as Americans. As a result every table min. was $5, and yes the dealers all looked rather bored and missed their usual tips. :D

[blizzardboy]

LOL :D

 

 

 

I'm all for them offering an ample number of $10 tables as long as they have some $25 to $100 minimum tables as well. I'd like to think that playing the higher minimum tables helps to weed out some of the clueless players. Having said that, I've seen plenty of people throwing away green/black chips who don't even understand basic strategy. Granted, they're just as likely to help your hand as they are to hurt it (when playing "wrong"), but I just prefer a table of people who have a good grasp on the game.

 

Tom

 

Amen. I play for enough that I'm not shy about asking that a new table be opened at a higher limit.

[shipshape sam]

Our last cruise all tables were $10 or higher minimum. $25 table was empty or had 1-2 players at best.

 

We used to say, you can't make a profit if you are not open for business....have customers. They make money at $5. I would think the combination of 2 $5 tables that are full would make more than a single $10 table including cost of labor, etc with typically just a few players.

 

I for sure am not a player at $10/hand. I can stand there for a few minutes and get my vicariously profit or lost by following a player, then go get a drink and enjoy!

[neverbeenhere]

Private Blackjack tables, I have not found on cruise ships. But, I have been in many private poker games and texas holdem tournaments. I cruise with at least two packs of sealed cards.

Edited May 10, 2016 by neverbeenhere

[cb at sea]

If you want better odds...go to Vegas. Ship's casinos are TIGHT...tighter than a tick's _ss!

 

Consider your gambling expenses to be "entertainment"...it's a way to kill time, and lose your money on a ship!

[shipshape sam]

If you want better odds...go to Vegas. Ship's casinos are TIGHT...tighter than a tick's _ss!

 

Consider your gambling expenses to be "entertainment"...it's a way to kill time, and lose your money on a ship!

 

I do. I make comments about making my donation too. DW likes the tight slots!

[Mr&MrsCookie]

What are the odds like on the slot machines? Is there a chance of winning anything or should I just save time and flush my money down the toilet:(

[Desertbelle]

What are the odds like on the slot machines? Is there a chance of winning anything or should I just save time and flush my money down the toilet:(

That would describe any slot machine at any casino.

[Tom-n-Cheryl]

What are the odds like on the slot machines? Is there a chance of winning anything or should I just save time and flush my money down the toilet:(

 

That would describe any slot machine at any casino.

 

.... but even more so at sea. Having said that, there are winners, but all totaled up, the only long term winner is the house.

 

Tom

[Karynanne]

We just disembarked from Equinox on Monday, after having cruised a Transatlantic and the subsequent cruise following.

 

I usually spend quite a lot of time in the Casino. But both of these cruises were the worse payout situations, I've seen in many years. I love blackjack, but found the tables empty, due to the lack of winning hands by passengers.

 

Usually on Transatlantics, the casino is crowded and you can "hear" the excitement of passengers winning. This past cruise...crickets chirping...

 

The following Med cruise wasn't much better. Some more people playing, but not many winners.

 

But we still had a wonderful time on both cruises!

 

Karyn

[Desertbelle]

We just disembarked from Equinox on Monday, after having cruised a Transatlantic and the subsequent cruise following.

 

 

 

I usually spend quite a lot of time in the Casino. But both of these cruises were the worse payout situations, I've seen in many years. I love blackjack, but found the tables empty, due to the lack of winning hands by passengers.

 

 

 

Usually on Transatlantics, the casino is crowded and you can "hear" the excitement of passengers winning. This past cruise...crickets chirping...

 

 

 

The following Med cruise wasn't much better. Some more people playing, but not many winners.

 

 

 

But we still had a wonderful time on both cruises!

 

 

 

Karyn

 

 

 

The several transatlantic cruises we have been on the casinos are always on the quiet side. I think it's because there are many more retired folks on transatlantic cruises and they are a bit more careful with their money. On the Reflection in April we couldn't get a poker game going every night and we never had a full table when we did.

 

On shorter cruises with younger passengers the casinos are generally very busy.

Edited May 11, 2016 by Desertbelle

[Tom-n-Cheryl]

We just disembarked from Equinox on Monday, after having cruised a Transatlantic and the subsequent cruise following.

 

I usually spend quite a lot of time in the Casino. But both of these cruises were the worse payout situations, I've seen in many years. I love blackjack, but found the tables empty, due to the lack of winning hands by passengers.

 

Usually on Transatlantics, the casino is crowded and you can "hear" the excitement of passengers winning. This past cruise...crickets chirping...

 

The following Med cruise wasn't much better. Some more people playing, but not many winners.

 

But we still had a wonderful time on both cruises!

 

Karyn

 

On the Equinox in March it seemed that all the 10's came out when I was hitting my 12's-16's and were nowhere to be found when doubling 10's and 11's! Out of 10 nights, I might have had one where I didn't loose (not to be confused with winning!)... :eek:

 

Tom

[AmazedByCruising]

When available I play BJ at $5 tables and I guess the average total loss per hour could be less than the drinks. Playing maybe 20 hours on a 14 day cruise, I don't think a Black Jack pay out of 6-5, or the dealer hitting on soft 17 matters that much. Also I'm not going to calculate what card the dealer would have got if someone makes an "error". I just like the game and especially the very easy way to chat with other passengers. As soon as you sit down you're automatically in the same team as the other players. I'm definitely not on a cruise thinking I could win my fare back :)

[shipshape sam]

Payouts seem to be getting harder to find. I have won a good amount in past, but last few cruises, not so. Did pay my donation/entertainment fee to casinos.

 

I will say that the casino is NOT why we sail, so it is one area that a price increase will change our behavior and not miss it. I had already stopped playing 3 card.

 

I do not think Royal/Celebrity management to be stupid and they have crunched the numbers I am sure. If they have in fact changed the minimum to $10 BJ tables, I do think they could be short sighted and just as with the government raising taxes, etc. People DO react vs just accepting what the government tells them they have to do. We for sure will save $$$ if the above is true. Well I will. DW still loves the slots that have special levels/bonus plays. :)