Blackjack "Conditions" @ higher limit tables 3:2 (CSM/Shoe)?

[Tom-n-Cheryl]

New to MSC

 

On Carnival, at the $25 table, they pay 3:2 and use a CSM, table max $2,500. On Celebrity, they're also 3:2 at the $25 table, but hand shuffle, table max $500.

For both (above): Dealer hits soft 17's, no surrender, double any hand, split aces get 1 card each only.

 

Where does MSC fit into this (@ $25+ tables)?

 

SMOKING - just thought about this. Newer ships on Carnival have smoking/non-smoking sides. Celebrity is non-smoking throughout. What about MSC?

 

Comps--  Any free/reduced sailings owing to activity, or other benefits (free play, spa, dining, etc)?

 

THANKS

[bafinegan]

Didn't play BJ but the 3-crd tables don't have the 5 card bonus.  Instead they have "prime".  Pays 3:1 if your cards are the same color (not same suit) and pays 4:1 if the dealers cards are all the same color as your hand.  There were some no smoking slots, but didn;t see any tables that were no smoking.

 

I got a future cruise certificate good for 30% off ( any category-even YC) and $250 cash for over 10,000 "points" which I used for my upcoming April cruise.  I know there are other levels, but this was my first MSC cruise and didn't inquire about them.  I didn't receive any comps on the cruise, but it may be my level of play wasn't high enough;

 

baf

[JAGR]

15 minutes ago, bafinegan said:

Didn't play BJ but the 3-crd tables don't have the 5 card bonus.  Instead they have "prime".  Pays 3:1 if your cards are the same color (not same suit) and pays 4:1 if the dealers cards are all the same color as your hand.  There were some no smoking slots, but didn;t see any tables that were no smoking.

 

I got a future cruise certificate good for 30% off ( any category-even YC) and $250 cash for over 10,000 "points" which I used for my upcoming April cruise.  I know there are other levels, but this was my first MSC cruise and didn't inquire about them.  I didn't receive any comps on the cruise, but it may be my level of play wasn't high enough;

 

baf

I'm curious what ship you were on.  Our four experiences since COVID with MSC (out of Florida) are non-smoking either throughout the casino on Seashore, or limited to slot machine areas on Da-ivina and Meraviglia.  I've not seen smoking allowed at table games (I assume for protection of the dealers, pit employees, etc.).

[bafinegan]

1 hour ago, JAGR said:

I'm curious what ship you were on.  Our four experiences since COVID with MSC (out of Florida) are non-smoking either throughout the casino on Seashore, or limited to slot machine areas on Da-ivina and Meraviglia.  I've not seen smoking allowed at table games (I assume for protection of the dealers, pit employees, etc.).

Seashore Jan 2022.  There around 1000 passengers on.  Maybe they were lax?  dunno.  It really wasn't an issue.  I don't smoke and the only other player was at the opposite end of the table from me.

 

[bafinegan]

Tom and Cheryl,

 

I have seen/enjoyed many of your posts on other cruiselines.  I think you will like MSC>  Very Different in some aspects from Carnival.  You can def tell the Italian influence. Hubbs and I have 23 Carnival cruises and really enjoyed the change.  Now with all the fighting on Carnival, we have decided to take a break from them.  Prob will be sticking with MSC for a bit because we really enjoy their product.

[JAGR]

1 hour ago, bafinegan said:

Seashore Jan 2022.  There around 1000 passengers on.  Maybe they were lax?  dunno.  It really wasn't an issue.  I don't smoke and the only other player was at the opposite end of the table from me.

 

Same on smoking for me.  That's why I liked Seashore when it first cam over. It was non-smoking throughout the casino.

Edited January 10, 2023 by JAGR

[Tom-n-Cheryl]

I'm guessing that there's not many people playing BJ on MSC (at least that frequent CC). I wonder if they'll even open up a $25 table to begin with !

 

Tom

[Tom-n-Cheryl]

New week - perhaps new input?

 

Tom

[PTC DAWG]

I am sailing Meraviglia this coming Sunday, I will advise when I can.  I know they offer a game called Spanish 21..deck has no 10 cards, and you can double on any amount of cards. I do not remember the payout for Blackjack..
 

No Craps tables either.  Sailed Seaside about 3 years ago…

[Tom-n-Cheryl]

48 minutes ago, PTC DAWG said:

I am sailing Meraviglia this coming Sunday, I will advise when I can.  I know they offer a game called Spanish 21..deck has no 10 cards, and you can double on any amount of cards. I do not remember the payout for Blackjack..
 

No Craps tables either.  Sailed Seaside about 3 years ago…

 

Have fun, and GOOD LUCK!

 

Yep, on Carnival they have Fun21 (no queens I believe). I've also played Spanish21 at a couple places in Vegas. Fun, but different strategies. Usually low limit tables, so lots of people playing it that have no clue!

 

Tom

[IntrepidFromDC]

Tom, when is your first MSC cruise again?  Mine is first week of April, a three-day to Ocean Cay that was $225 and includes the "plus" drink package, internet and $25obc.  I'm doing a S2S with a Carnival four-day cruise.

 

I'm glad to have been reading so many threads about recent MSC cruisers being disappointed, especially with the Divina which I'll be sailing on - so I know to temper my expectations.  I just hope the Italian food is better than Carnival.  Lots of people saying it's not a "fun" experience, no comedy shows, Italian style service, etc.  Even after reading all the negative trip reports (or possibly because I'm mentally preparing for my cruise) I have a feeling I'll enjoy MSC as a "budget" line like I enjoy Carnival.

 

Hope you do too!

 

I watched a youtube video walk-through of the Divina casino and was relieved to see they have Head-Up Hold'em.

 

[IntrepidFromDC]

Tom, he starts off with a shaky hand, but this casino walk-through is the best I've seen, he shows the tables close up and pauses so you can see the limits and betting rules at each table...

 

 

[Tom-n-Cheryl]

1 hour ago, IntrepidFromDC said:

Tom, when is your first MSC cruise again?  Mine is first week of April, a three-day to Ocean Cay that was $225 and includes the "plus" drink package, internet and $25obc.  I'm doing a S2S with a Carnival four-day cruise.

 

I'm glad to have been reading so many threads about recent MSC cruisers being disappointed, especially with the Divina which I'll be sailing on - so I know to temper my expectations.  I just hope the Italian food is better than Carnival.  Lots of people saying it's not a "fun" experience, no comedy shows, Italian style service, etc.  Even after reading all the negative trip reports (or possibly because I'm mentally preparing for my cruise) I have a feeling I'll enjoy MSC as a "budget" line like I enjoy Carnival.

 

Hope you do too!

 

I watched a youtube video walk-through of the Divina casino and was relieved to see they have Head-Up Hold'em.

 

 

THANKS 🙂

 

We sail on 4/27. You got a great rate! Ours is just under $1,000 for the two of us in a balcony (upgraded to some different tier... not fully familiar with all that yet). I'm on the fence regarding the Yacht Club, but that nearly triples the cost. Heck, I'd manage in an interior... Cheryl, not so much !  🙂

 

Tom

[Tom-n-Cheryl]

51 minutes ago, IntrepidFromDC said:

Tom, he starts off with a shaky hand, but this casino walk-through is the best I've seen, he shows the tables close up and pauses so you can see the limits and betting rules at each table...

 

 

How old is this? Surprised to see the surrender option, but nice to see the 3:2 BJ... A $5 table w/$200 max. Here's hoping they have a $25 table (if only to weed out the beginners, not that they won't sit down at the $25 and play hunches too). 🙂

 

Tom

[Stockjock]

I don't have answers, but I did play some blackjack for the first time on MSC over the NYE sailing on Virtuosa.  Not enough to get any future discount though.

The casino wasn't too smoky, which was good.  I played for maybe 2 hours at $10 per hand, which was the table minimum, and lost roughly $75.  I considered that a victory, lol.  I was able to buy chips and cash them in so I had a few Euro in my pocket, which was helpful.

I was able to surrender and only lose half my bet, and I liked that feature.  There was also some sort of bonus if you got various pairs as a part of your hand, but I don't think that came into play, for me at least.

I haven't played in a bit and am not a "textbook player", but close.  There were a few people at the table who clearly didn't know what they were doing.  For example, one guy had 18 against the dealer's 6 up card and he was thinking about hitting his 18.  I told him, "No!" and he stood and won.  Not sure if I was supposed to do that (probably not), but no one said anything.

Edited January 16, 2023 by Stockjock

[Tom-n-Cheryl]

3 minutes ago, Stockjock said:

I haven't played in a bit and am not a "textbook player", but close.  There were a few people at the table who clearly didn't know what they were doing.  For example, one guy had 18 against the dealer's 6 up card and he was thinking about hitting his 18.  I told him, "No!" and he stood and won.  Not sure if I was supposed to do that (probably not), but no one said anything.

 

You've gotta love some of the situations which come up at tables like that! I try not to offer advice unless it's requested, but sometimes it's difficult to hold back!  I have this "vision" (in a situation like yours) of me telling someone not to hit, then the next card is an A, 2, or 3 - which the dealer gets instead - and manages to end up with a winning hand. YIKES

 

Here's one of my (infamously) favorite hands from perhaps 10+ years ago. I was dealt a pair of 7's against the dealer (5... might have been 6). Either way, it led me down "the path"... dealer ended up with a 21 after I added a couple of doubles to the image you see here... 😞

 

 

Tom

[IntrepidFromDC]

55 minutes ago, Tom-n-Cheryl said:

 

How old is this? Surprised to see the surrender option, but nice to see the 3:2 BJ... A $5 table w/$200 max. Here's hoping they have a $25 table (if only to weed out the beginners, not that they won't sit down at the $25 and play hunches too). 🙂

 

Tom

I think it was date-stamped 2022

[PTC DAWG]

40 minutes ago, Tom-n-Cheryl said:

 

You've gotta love some of the situations which come up at tables like that! I try not to offer advice unless it's requested, but sometimes it's difficult to hold back!  I have this "vision" (in a situation like yours) of me telling someone not to hit, then the next card is an A, 2, or 3 - which the dealer gets instead - and manages to end up with a winning hand. YIKES

 

Here's one of my (infamously) favorite hands from perhaps 10+ years ago. I was dealt a pair of 7's against the dealer (5... might have been 6). Either way, it led me down "the path"... dealer ended up with a 21 after I added a couple of doubles to the image you see here... 😞

 

 

Tom

Been there, it happens. 

[Tom-n-Cheryl]

7 minutes ago, PTC DAWG said:

Been there, it happens. 

 

No doubt I've had some great wins too, but for some reason it's these flame outs which really stick with you!

 

Tom

[Stockjock]

35 minutes ago, Tom-n-Cheryl said:

 

You've gotta love some of the situations which come up at tables like that! I try not to offer advice unless it's requested, but sometimes it's difficult to hold back!  I have this "vision" (in a situation like yours) of me telling someone not to hit, then the next card is an A, 2, or 3 - which the dealer gets instead - and manages to end up with a winning hand. YIKES

 

Here's one of my (infamously) favorite hands from perhaps 10+ years ago. I was dealt a pair of 7's against the dealer (5... might have been 6). Either way, it led me down "the path"... dealer ended up with a 21 after I added a couple of doubles to the image you see here... 😞

 

 

Tom

Years ago, I visited Laughlin, NV and was getting my butt kicked.  On my final hand, I had 11 and the dealer had a 6 showing.  I ended up with 12 or 13 and the dealer ended up with 21.  So I figured that was the "sign from above" and I stopped playing on the spot.

After I returned home, I sold the stock of the parent company, which had done nothing for me.  And not long after I sold it, the stock was bought out at a premium.  Bad luck all the way around!

[Tom-n-Cheryl]

31 minutes ago, Stockjock said:

Years ago, I visited Laughlin, NV and was getting my butt kicked.  On my final hand, I had 11 and the dealer had a 6 showing.  I ended up with 12 or 13 and the dealer ended up with 21.  So I figured that was the "sign from above" and I stopped playing on the spot.

After I returned home, I sold the stock of the parent company, which had done nothing for me.  And not long after I sold it, the stock was bought out at a premium.  Bad luck all the way around!

When it rains, it pours! 

[TampaGambler]

On 1/10/2023 at 9:53 AM, Tom-n-Cheryl said:

New to MSC

 

On Carnival, at the $25 table, they pay 3:2 and use a CSM, table max $2,500. On Celebrity, they're also 3:2 at the $25 table, but hand shuffle, table max $500.

For both (above): Dealer hits soft 17's, no surrender, double any hand, split aces get 1 card each only.

 

Where does MSC fit into this (@ $25+ tables)?

 

SMOKING - just thought about this. Newer ships on Carnival have smoking/non-smoking sides. Celebrity is non-smoking throughout. What about MSC?

 

Comps--  Any free/reduced sailings owing to activity, or other benefits (free play, spa, dining, etc)?

 

THANKS

 

 

MSC usually has a $50 table, if for some reason they don't, just ask and they will change the limits if nobody is at the table. Last time we cruised MSC, they always opened a $100 table for me and allowed me to play 3 hands. Back then, the max bet was $500 per hand. I asked for it to be raised, but they said that approval has to come pre cruise, the casino director/manager does not have the power to increase limits. 

 

[Tom-n-Cheryl]

5 minutes ago, TampaGambler said:

 

 

MSC usually has a $50 table, if for some reason they don't, just ask and they will change the limits if nobody is at the table. Last time we cruised MSC, they always opened a $100 table for me and allowed me to play 3 hands. Back then, the max bet was $500 per hand. I asked for it to be raised, but they said that approval has to come pre cruise, the casino director/manager does not have the power to increase limits. 

 

 

Good info - thanks!

 

Yep, I usually play two hands (at 3rd base if open).

 

Do you recall if it was a shoe game (hand shuffle or machine) or a CSM ?

 

Tom

[TampaGambler]

11 minutes ago, Tom-n-Cheryl said:

 

Good info - thanks!

 

Yep, I usually play two hands (at 3rd base if open).

 

Do you recall if it was a shoe game (hand shuffle or machine) or a CSM ?

 

Tom

 

If for some reason it wasn't at $50/$100 when I sat down, they generally would have it waiting on me at night, they would switch the table to hand shuffle at my request... I'm refuse to play with the automatic shufflers.

[mscdivina2016]

On 1/11/2023 at 2:20 PM, Tom-n-Cheryl said:

I'm guessing that there's not many people playing BJ on MSC (at least that frequent CC). I wonder if they'll even open up a $25 table to begin with !

 

Tom

Hi Tom,

 

I got off 4 days ago. I was the only one playing a $25 table but it was always available. No smoking at tables just at slot machines.

 

Dealer hits soft 17's   yes.

no surrender   yes 

double any hand   yes but 1 card.

split aces get 1 card each only,   no    split any pair and play full hand including double down and re-splitting.