Currency in the Casino

[AlexsDogPound]

Hi everyone,

Does the casino take US Dollars or Euros or both?

[Lexcruiser]

U.S. dollars.  

[raphael360]

And you can pull funds from your on board account.

[raphael360]

BJ is now 6/5 on SB 😱

[Lexcruiser]

BJ on Seabourn is always interesting because of the novice players.   I thought I had seen everything until our recent Med cruise on Encore when a gentleman told the dealer to hit his two face cards.  We (the rest of the table and the dealer) implored him to reconsider, but he became angry and insisted on another card.  He got it, he busted of course, and most of the other players immediately got up and left the table.  

[Mark56]

Here is an article that discusses the house odds when games use 6/5 payout. The gist is don’t play. 

 

https://www.americancasinoguide.com/blackjack/why-you-should-avoid-6-to-5-blackjack-games.html

[raphael360]

    When BJ was still 2/1, I played BJ two hours a night and averaged "loosing" my $500 to $1000 per cruise. It was just fun hanging with the usual 7-9 passengers at the table every night!  I haven't played one single hand of BJ since they switched to 6/5. 

 

    Casinos make money at 2/1. At 6/5 they're just being greedy.  I totally understand the casino can and must make money. With that being said, I believe the casino experience on SB should be synonymous to the enjoyable experiences on the rest of the ship.  It is not IMHO

 

     Note to the SB casino staff:  You're not going go get rich off of us SB passengers so relax and even smile sometimes.  Stop taking your jobs so seriously and pretend you're enjoying yourselves.  The rest of the staff on the ship do.

Edited September 25, 2019 by raphael360
sic

[raphael360]

12 hours ago, Mark56 said:

Here is an article that discusses the house odds when games use 6/5 payout. The gist is don’t play. 

 

https://www.americancasinoguide.com/blackjack/why-you-should-avoid-6-to-5-blackjack-games.html

Mark56 is spot on. Having played BJ for 45 years I've read ton's of books and articles written on BJ 'game theory'. BJ game theory is pretty simple: Play perfectly, loose a little, play poorly, loose a lot.  To simplify the understanding of BJ game theory, these books and articles often summarize by including a list of "do's and don'ts" at the BJ table.  If they have a list of what not to do:

     Number 2 is usually: "never split 10's" and

     Number 1 is always: "never ever EVER play at a 6/5 table".  Don't just avoid it, don't do it.  They say: "at 2/1 you'll loose money, at 6/5 you'll get slaughtered".  This according to the experts.

[AlexsDogPound]

Are there other table games like 3 card poker, craps, roulette, baccarat, or is it just a couple blackjack tables?

[raphael360]

One or 2 other tables which may include 3 card poker, roulette table and all the slot machines you could want. No craps tables. Roulette and gaming tables are only open a few hours a day

[SKP946]

Years ago on a Seabourn cruise I looked at  the BJ table from the doorway as I walked past. The unoccupied croupier came up to me and asked if I would like to play, I answered “No thanks, my daughter-in-law is a croupier at an Australian Casino, I know the odds” she smiled and walked away.

Need I say any more🙄😀

[Lexcruiser]

I agree that the Seabourn casino is not the place for a serious gambler.  The odds are seriously stacked against you and the recreational players can be trying.  It can be a pleasant diversion to be occasionally enjoyed.

[raphael360]

5 hours ago, Lexcruiser said:

I agree that the Seabourn casino is not the place for a serious gambler.  The odds are seriously stacked against you and the recreational players can be trying.  It can be a pleasant diversion to be occasionally enjoyed.

I totally agree.  I really enjoyed a few hours a day of 'BJ diversion'  despite the somewhat less than friendly staff. Fellow gamblers yucking it up, free drinks, and a break from the wife. When the company who runs the on board casino concession decided to switch to 6/5, they were really saying; "No fun here - move on. And this time we really mean it".  It's the only dark spot in SB's otherwise perfect on board experience.  

[tv24]

I, on the other hand, always have a good time at the blackjack table on Seabourn.  And I have been lucky to play with very friendly dealers.  I do admit that the 6/5 BJ pay out is disadvantageous, but sadly it's becoming very common on other ships as well, such as HAL, and also in some Nevada casinos.  I do at times get annoyed at the novice players who throw their money away by taking cards when they shouldn't, but I try to not let it affect my fun.  I'm at the table to enjoy myself, play wisely, enjoy a drink and some conversation, not to make money.  Oh, and yes, the casino takes US dollars, and you can charge your chips to your shipboard account with no additional fees added in.

[raphael360]

5 hours ago, tv24 said:

II do admit that the 6/5 BJ pay out is disadvantageous, but sadly it's becoming very common on other ships as well, such as HAL, and also in some Nevada casinos.  I do at times get annoyed at the novice players who throw their money away by taking cards when they shouldn't, 

I absolutely agree 6/5 is becoming the new normal worldwide. I normally play $50 minimum tables which are still 2/1 and sits pretty good players. I don’t really mind a less than happy dealer except to say they set the mood for the entire table . I’m at the table to have fun, not to make money.  Getting a 2 hour break from wifie: priceless 🙂

[tv24]

17 hours ago, raphael360 said:

I absolutely agree 6/5 is becoming the new normal worldwide. I normally play $50 minimum tables which are still 2/1 and sits pretty good players. I don’t really mind a less than happy dealer except to say they set the mood for the entire table . I’m at the table to have fun, not to make money.  Getting a 2 hour break from wifie: priceless 🙂

Playing blackjack to get a break from your wife?  It might be cheaper to file for divorce!🤯

[raphael360]

That is funny but no.