Blackjack card counting

[HappyTexan44]

 

How does Royal handle it when they think that someone is card counting?    

Both DH and I are math-people, he is better with the mental math.  Probably because of that, he just naturally card counts when playing blackjack, as in before I knew him he was ejected from casinos even when trying to not count.   Me, I like to just play according one of those charts that give you a tiny edge at a normal casino.  I've noticed that Royal's payouts aren't good, so probably just lose slower with a chart.  
 

But I was thinking, maybe he should play a little bit of blackjack just to earn some beer money.  What will Royal do if they think he is card counting?   I wouldn't think we could be tossed from the ship.   Would they try to take back the winnings?   

 

 

 

[basenji56]

How many decks do they use for Blackjack on the ship?  

 

[Newcruiser215]

Im sure like most casinos, they would just back him off from playing. 

[Newcruiser215]

1 minute ago, basenji56 said:

How many decks do they use for Blackjack on the ship?  

 

I believe it’s 6 decks in a shoe. 

[basenji56]

3 minutes ago, Newcruiser215 said:

I believe it’s 6 decks in a shoe. 

You probably need an IQ of 160 plus to count that many cards enough to make a difference.

[OCSC Mike]

10 minutes ago, basenji56 said:

You probably need an IQ of 160 plus to count that many cards enough to make a difference.

 

No you don't. Card counting is very simple and just takes practice. Nothing changes with more decks except that it becomes more of a waste of time given how small your edge is.

 

38 minutes ago, HappyTexan44 said:

Me, I like to just play according one of those charts that give you a tiny edge at a normal casino.

 

Basic strategy doesn't give you any edge, it just makes the house edge as low as possible.

 

38 minutes ago, HappyTexan44 said:

But I was thinking, maybe he should play a little bit of blackjack just to earn some beer money.  What will Royal do if they think he is card counting?   I wouldn't think we could be tossed from the ship.   Would they try to take back the winnings?

 

He won't even have an edge in the long run due to their terrible rules. But no, they would never take back the winnings.

[neverbeenhere]

I've seen early shuffles, but never seen anyone called out at the table.  Better to use your advantage playing methods at casinos with better rules and stay away from ship blackjack tables.

Go bet all your stake on black, one time. Whatever the result, you commit to being done with gambling for the cruise. 

Edited November 10, 2023 by neverbeenhere

[basenji56]

"No you don't. Card counting is very simple and just takes practice. Nothing changes with more decks except that it becomes more of a waste of time given how small your edge is."

 

If you say so.  I have trouble remembering what I had for dinner last night, let along trying to count cards.  But, if you can do it, great.  

[basenji56]

14 minutes ago, neverbeenhere said:

 

Go bet all your stake on black, one time. Whatever the result, you commit to being done with gambling for the cruise. 

I have a fair amount of nonrefundable onboard credit on another cruise line.  I plan to try to turn it to cash through the casino.  My plan is to bet red and black on roulette to turn the promotional chips into cashable chips.  Of course a hit on green ruins that strategy.

 

[OldSeaDog1969]

They can cut the deck in half negating any chance of card counting, limit you to the table minimum, no mid shoe entry or just tell you you can't play Blackjack. 

[RoyalC]

1 hour ago, basenji56 said:

You probably need an IQ of 160 plus to count that many cards enough to make a difference.

That's not how card counting works

[jam19872016]

I once talked to a man on a Carnival cruise who claimed he got caught counting cards on Royal and was banned for life from sailing with them.

 

He was a terribly obnoxious person and constantly bragged about the rules he broke so I have no idea if he was telling the truth or not but it's worth noting it could happen. 

 

I think the odds are bad enough in the game it's not likely to be worth it but not likely to be monitored if you do decide to do it, just know the risks - it could result in banning even if not likely.

[Jetdriver787]

In Las Vegas they would “invite” you to the back office. I expect RCI would force you to watch their broadway production of “Cats!” If that is the “offer” he should consider breaking his own fingers with one of the “Cookies” from the Diam…eh…Crown lounge? 🤷‍♂️🤣

Edited November 10, 2023 by Jetdriver787

[OCSC Mike]

24 minutes ago, Jetdriver787 said:

In Las Vegas they would “invite” you to the back office.

 

You've been watching too many movies of what happened 50 years ago.

 

A pit boss or floor manager will tell you "you are no longer welcome to play BJ here anymore and if you do, you will be trespassed." This is called getting "backed off."

 

If you go back to that casino and get caught playing BJ, they will then read you the Nevada trespass act and tell you that you may be subject to arrest if you step foot on their property again. This is called "getting trespassed."

 

You don't have to believe me but I know what I'm talking about.

[Sunshine3601]

I witnessed someone being removed from a blackjack table about 2 years ago (unsure if card counting or something else) but was told the following night by the casino worker that he was banned from the casino.   He wasn't sure if it was forever or just the remainder of the cruise.   

[klfrodo]

Last I remember, Royal was using a 6 deck continuous shuffling machine.

[The Scurvy Pirate]

I have frequently seen people openly using a "cheat sheet" on when to hit/stay, etc.  Do they really care about card counting?  The advantage has to be miniscule based upon the available hours of play on a normal cruise and that assumes "perfect" play.

[Jetdriver787]

19 minutes ago, OCSC Mike said:

 

You've been watching too many movies of what happened 50 years ago.

 

A pit boss or floor manager will tell you "you are no longer welcome to play BJ here anymore and if you do, you will be trespassed." This is called getting "backed off."

 

If you go back to that casino and get caught playing BJ, they will then read you the Nevada trespass act and tell you that you may be subject to arrest if you step foot on their property again. This is called "getting trespassed."

 

You don't have to believe me but I know what I'm talking about.

No…I most definitely do believe you and defer completely to your expertise in this area. However the “Cats” thing still stands! 👍😀

[EleventyBangBang]

2 minutes ago, The Scurvy Pirate said:

I have frequently seen people openly using a "cheat sheet" on when to hit/stay, etc.  Do they really care about card counting?  The advantage has to be miniscule based upon the available hours of play on a normal cruise and that assumes "perfect" play.

 

The "cheat sheet" doesn't actually put the odds in your favor, it just makes it really close, but still ever so slightly in favor of the house.  So they don't mind that.

 

Counting cards can actually put the odds in the player's favor.  Although with multi-shoe decks, you're waiting so long to see a favorable period to bet in that it practically becomes a full-time job.  You become a "regular" there and they will definitely study you much more carefully.

 

 

 

 

[OCSC Mike]

5 minutes ago, The Scurvy Pirate said:

Do they really care about card counting?

 

That's the irony of card counting in general. Casinos generally lose expected revenue wasting their time taking counter measures against most counters.

 

When I was 21 and didn't have much money, I played $5 tables in Atlantic City just for fun. My expected win rate was maybe $5/hour? I don't remember the math, it was 25 years ago and I haven't played in ages.

 

You actually can't be backed off in NJ (different states have different laws) but they can do other things to stop you... and they actually did... b/c Trump or Caesar's may have gone bankrupt if they freely let me win $4-5/hour. 🤣

[HappyTexan44]

59 minutes ago, klfrodo said:

Last I remember, Royal was using a 6 deck continuous shuffling machine.

 

It continuously shuffles?   So every hand is basically a fresh deck?   
Well, that would mean no counting.  

 

I doubt he's 160 IQ.   But, he's pretty smart.  Many people do similar to card counting when playing card games.   They know what cards have been played and what cards are left.  In a card game there is more to remember since you have to pay attention to suits. That isn't me.   I can barely remember my own cards when playing poker.  

He said he's never lost money playing blackjack.   But he did say they made it very unpleasant when they accused him of counting, and took his winnings.  That was a while back.  
 

 

[Jetdriver787]

Not sure about the casino, but “continuous shuffling” is certainly prevalent in the rest of the ship! 🤦🏻‍♂️

[HappyTexan44]

1 hour ago, The Scurvy Pirate said:

I have frequently seen people openly using a "cheat sheet" on when to hit/stay, etc.  Do they really care about card counting?  The advantage has to be miniscule based upon the available hours of play on a normal cruise and that assumes "perfect" play.

 

I think they like the cheat sheets.   They know you are a newbie who will play consistently.   

I remember going to Vegas back in the dark ages with a friend.   Dark ages as in the $1 'steak' and eggs breakfast at midnight.   On our last day I played with one of those charts memorized at a place downtown with nice blackjack rules.   I think they even had the 7-cards-and-you-win rule.  I played for 12 hours, had about 5 cocktails (and tipped), and that $1 breakfast and walked away within $8 of my start.  I forget which direction.     Not a pro. gambler by a long shot, but super cheap entertainment.  
 

[OCSC Mike]

8 minutes ago, HappyTexan44 said:

a place downtown with nice blackjack rules

 

Ah, brings back fond memories of Fremont Street and those single and double deck games.

 

That may or may not be where the trespass story I posted earlier came from. 🤐

[Rob-Bob]

2 hours ago, HappyTexan44 said:

 

It continuously shuffles?   So every hand is basically a fresh deck?   
Well, that would mean no counting.  

 

I doubt he's 160 IQ.   But, he's pretty smart.  Many people do similar to card counting when playing card games.   They know what cards have been played and what cards are left.  In a card game there is more to remember since you have to pay attention to suits. That isn't me.   I can barely remember my own cards when playing poker.  

He said he's never lost money playing blackjack.   But he did say they made it very unpleasant when they accused him of counting, and took his winnings.  That was a while back.  
 

 

I do not believe he has never lost money in any session, if that is what he is saying.  Or is he referring to his lifetime play and he is ahead?