Poker Table in Sports Bar

[kg21rules]

I noticed they have moved the electronic poker table to the sports bar on the Vista class ships. Any insight on if this sparks more play?  The last several cruises I’ve been on there is never a game going. Thanks!

[theeddie]

I like this idea ALOT! 

[PhillyFan33579]

I have spent a lot of time in the sports bar on both Vista and Horizon. I have never seen anyone playing at the poker table. However, this is a very small sample and could have been unique to the cruises when we were on these ships. 

[xDisconnections]

Interesting to see this space being utilized differently. The arcade options were set up pretty nicely as an addition to the new Playmaker's Sports Bar on Royal Caribbean.

[CCLcruiser91]

I am a poker player who cruises a lot on Carnival.  I like having the poker table in the sports bar on the Vista class ships since it is in a non-smoking area; however, being away from the casino makes it harder to get players.

 

Even on the ships with the poker table in the casino, it is usually hard to find players since people don't like playing on dealer-free electronic tables... (hit or miss).

 

I just sailed on the inaugural Panorama cruise and the layout of the sports bar (now called the Hero's Tribute Bar) is better since there is not a wall blocking the view to the poker table from the aisleway.  We actually had a full table a few times! 

[amyotravel]

I am curious about the logistics of this. Is this entertainment only, not gaming? If gaming, does the sports bar follow the same hours as the casino, i.e. closed on ports, etc. or do they turn the machine on/off? Sorry, I hope I am asking this right.

[rukkian]

14 minutes ago, amyotravel said:

I am curious about the logistics of this. Is this entertainment only, not gaming? If gaming, does the sports bar follow the same hours as the casino, i.e. closed on ports, etc. or do they turn the machine on/off? Sorry, I hope I am asking this right.

I had same thoughts, never heard of this before.

[CCLcruiser91]

The poker table is part of the casino and follows the same hours/rules.

[coevan]

3 hours ago, amyotravel said:

I am curious about the logistics of this. Is this entertainment only, not gaming? If gaming, does the sports bar follow the same hours as the casino, i.e. closed on ports, etc. or do they turn the machine on/off? Sorry, I hope I am asking this right.

 

 

definitely gaming, it's poker, not a video game. The rake is outrageous. I have been on ships where the table has a waiting list and times they can't fill a table. 

[stetucke]

On 12/18/2019 at 7:07 PM, coevan said:

 

 

definitely gaming, it's poker, not a video game. The rake is outrageous. I have been on ships where the table has a waiting list and times they can't fill a table. 

This is the real killer of why carnival can't get a game together on cruises, an really high uncapped rake. NCL has a live table and $10 cap on the rake so their is always a waiting list and I've played to 4am more than a few times. 

[Mike_DeA]

On 12/18/2019 at 9:07 PM, coevan said:

 

 

definitely gaming, it's poker, not a video game. The rake is outrageous. I have been on ships where the table has a waiting list and times they can't fill a table. 

 

6 hours ago, stetucke said:

This is the real killer of why carnival can't get a game together on cruises, an really high uncapped rake. NCL has a live table and $10 cap on the rake so their is always a waiting list and I've played to 4am more than a few times. 

 

The CCL electronic tables have a rake of 15% up to $8 per hand.  Comparable to my local Harrah's.  The game is usually $1/2 NL.  I find more players at these tables than the live dealer NCL tables.  I've often played all night on CCL and Princess on the electronic tables.

 

NCL's rake is 10% up to $25 per hand.  Very high compared to any land based casino I've been in.  The game is usually $2/5 NL, but was reduced to $1/2 on the NCL Sun in Sept. 2019 due to a lack of players for $2/5.  NCL closes the casino at 2.30-3.00am.  This is a live dealer game.

[stetucke]

14 hours ago, Mike_DeA said:

 

 

The CCL electronic tables have a rake of 15% up to $8 per hand.  Comparable to my local Harrah's.  The game is usually $1/2 NL.  I find more players at these tables than the live dealer NCL tables.  I've often played all night on CCL and Princess on the electronic tables.

 

NCL's rake is 10% up to $25 per hand.  Very high compared to any land based casino I've been in.  The game is usually $2/5 NL, but was reduced to $1/2 on the NCL Sun in Sept. 2019 due to a lack of players for $2/5.  NCL closes the casino at 2.30-3.00am.  This is a live dealer game.

I wonder if the rake is up to the casino manager? It seems like we have had opposite experiences. 

[deadmoney]

The stakes yes, the rake% no.

[kg21rules]

Thanks for all the info. I’m hoping there is a game going this cruise!  I’ll pay the rake. Still better than slots. 😁

[trabob13]

We really enjoy playing poker on our cruises.  Unfortunately, we found moving the table to the sports bar doesn't work.  It is off the beaten path, in a bit of a corner and is hit or miss.  Many nights the table had no players or barely filled up.  It was a big disappointment for our two cruises on the Horizon and Vista.  They told us there was no room, yet they found room for the several dollar bill grabs.  It used to be so much fun playing in the main casino area all night long.

[glrounds]

On 12/18/2019 at 6:07 PM, coevan said:

 

 

definitely gaming, it's poker, not a video game. The rake is outrageous. I have been on ships where the table has a waiting list and times they can't fill a table. 

 

Yes, agree completely. The rake is outrageous these days. Used to spend every hour there back in the day when there were players. Even played at a human dealer table when they were starting to play with the idea of a Texas Hold'em table. I think it was on the PRIDE when she was doing the 7-day Mexican Riviera. The huge rake makes it a ripoff to me. The whole idea of a casino without a gambling authority (Nevada Gaming Commission for example) looking over their shoulder is a joke anyway.

Edited December 23, 2019 by glrounds

[coevan]

I think of gambling on a cruise or land vacation as entertainment. I bring a certain amount to play. like excursions or dinner out on land. I agree, the lack of authority or competition makes their slots most likely pretty tight compared to looser Vegas casinos. 

[gjdad]

A little off topic but I have two seats to the $175,000 tournament in May 23 cruise aboard the Magic. I may not be able to attend.  So is there a place to offer the seats for sale?

 

Edited December 26, 2019 by gjdad
clarity

[CCLcruiser91]

2 hours ago, gjdad said:

A little off topic but I have two seats to the $175,000 tournament in May 23 cruise aboard the Magic. I may not be able to attend.  So is there a place to offer the seats for sale?

 

Ebay