Texas Hold em on HAL?

[sarahjane]

I was just reading a story in the new CC newsletter about gambling on cruiseships, and they were talking about Texas Hold em as though it is a game played on some ships. We have never been on a ship where they played Hold em in the casino. There have only been "private" poker games arranged in the lounge or somewhere. ;)

 

Any recent HAL cruisers out there notice lately if they are playing Hold em in the casinos? If so, which ships?

 

We will be on the Westerdam in a few weeks, and I was just wondering if I should prepare myself to NOT SEE MY DH for the entire trip due to Texas Hold em. heh heh :cool: Actually I like to play myself, but he is addicted!

 

Anyone who knows anything, fire away!!

 

sarahjane

[atwhistler]

they had it daily on the zuiderdam when we were on our New Years cruise. We were told it was a trial to see how it went.

[whogo]

My teenager played Texas Hold em at Club Hal one night. No money involved, I still was not pleased. Club Hal trivia night questions were about mixed drinks. Get the young ones indoctrinated in the cruise line's money making gambling and drinking activities.

[sarahjane]

whogo,

Wow, I agree that's really bad that they are trying to get the kids into gambling and drinking at that age. Sorry to hear about that. I would have thought HAL would have more class.

BUT I was actually asking about whether they had Hold em in the casino. I guess chances are good that if they were pretending it in the kids club, they might also be offering it for the adults?

 

sarahjane

[boomerSexyK]

It is my understanding that the Zuiderdam has 2 Hold'Em tables ( hence our booking this Nov.). I "think" the other ship was the Zaandam, but don't quote me on that one. Our TA told that HAL has only those 2 ships with Hold'Em and seeing how it goes

[Candy]

According to Ocean Players Club, in addition to Carnival ships and others, HAL's Zuiderdam and Statendam have Hold'em Parlors.

 

Jim played once or twice a day, but thought the stakes should be raised from the then-customary 3/6. It's no fun when no one ever folds.

 

Candy the ZuiderPrincess

[sarahjane]

So then I guess that's a "no" for Hold em on the Westerdam?

Any confirmation on that from someone who's been on her recently?

 

sarahjane

[MikeT718]

I can tell you that we just got off the Oosterdam and there was no

Hold Em there

[sarahjane]

What a shame. After all, Hold em is getting very popular, and is much more fun than blackjack or those other table games where you play against the dealer. It's especially fun when you are playing with a bunch of folks who don't really know how to play! ;)

 

Oh, well...maybe we'll get lucky and they will have added it to the Westerdam by the time we're there 18 DAYS FROM NOW!!!!:D

 

sarahjane

[boomerSexyK]

On of the dealers onboard X Constellation last fall told me that there's not much $$$ in live poker for the cruiselines. If you figure a 5% rake (which is high) would only amount to less than $4 for an average hand at a 10 person table. At approx. 15-18 hands per hour, you're talking a table income of about $65 an hour. Compare to Blackjack with an avg. $10 bet for 6 players with probably 45-60 hands/hour. That's almost $3200/hour with a house edge of almost 3% (assuming all players play at optimum levels-not likely for the casual gambler!) would equal almost a $100 an hour for the casino. When the casinos make live poker available it's more for the pax than a money maker. Thank heavens cause I for one love playing Hold'Em:D