Mariner Casino Questions

[SuzCruise]

DH and I are considering the Eastern Caribbean on the Mariner in April '08. We are very excited about what I have just read on the boards about 1) the new no smoking policy and 2) a Texas Hold 'Em table in the casino. My question is, is the poker table non- smoking (like all Vegas poker rooms are) and if not is there a non-smokers night in the casino? We love to gamble but can't tolerate smoke.

 

If no-one knows, does anyone have any comment on how popular the casino is on this ship and itinerary?

 

Thanks in advance for the help!!!

[neviboy]

There is no smoking in the casinos on Voyager and Mariner. But the odds on the slots are reasonable---on the first day. After that they are much, much lower than, say, Las Vegas. Of course, the casino manager will disagree.

When we visit Vegas we don't expect to win in the long run, but at least we get a 'run for our money.' Not so on board. For slots, anyway. There is much more to do at sea, anyway.

[HAL2]

Suz,

My wife and I are also on an April cruise on the Mariner. Which one are you on?

Can't comment on the smoking policy but will attempt to comment on casinos. It is mostly luck and the house always has the odds in it's favor, even with the most experienced player.

Wife was one of the first woman craps dealer in Las Vegas in the early 70's and she still has difficulty winning 30% of the time.

 

Best Regards,

Hal

[SuzCruise]

Hal - We haven't booked yet. Just looking into the April 7th Eastern Caribbean. Will ya'll be cruising with us if we book? I'd love to meet one of the first women craps dealers in Vegas!! How neat!

 

I guess I phrased my question wrong - when I asked about the "popularity of the casino" I just meant how full it was (and therefore how smoky it might be) and not how generous the dealers may be or how lucky it may be for players.

 

Neviboy - When were you on the Mariner and found the casino non-smoking? Their policy on the web says smoking is allowed there - but I am hoping you just got off Mariner and have an update that hasn't made the web site yet.

 

Thanks for the help!!!

[Hody]

When I was on the Mariner this past March, smoking was allowed but few people smoked. The Texas hold'em table was mechanical. Players put their money in the machine to start the game, each player bets, it deals just as if there was a real dealer, it continues until the last player is left. It pays 1st, 2nd & 3rd place with a coupon to cash in for money. Three card poka was popular. My wife and I are taking the April 7 cruise and we will be playing three card poka and craps. Sometimes the Casino was over flowing, other times it was dead. It just depends. There is a bar in the casino so with the all inclusive policy you can always enjoy a drink or 2 on the house. :o)

[petlover]

Smoking on the Mariner shouldn't be a problem for you. No smoking at the tables, only at the bar within the casino. I've played Texas Hold'em on their computerized table. It's a little difficult to distinguish suits of cards due to the glare but it's still fun. The poker table on the Mariner is not nearly as good as the one on the Voyager though. Unfortunately, the casino takes quite a bit off the top. We have been playing live poker every afternoon at 2pm on sea days for a flat $50. one time buy-in, no limit. It's been a lot of fun so if there are other players on your cruise you could do something similar. We normally would have about 9 players each afternoon.

[Leonid]

Having lived in LV and now in Reno, I find myself at a craps table periodically. If I'm not mistaken the terminology is "boxman" and "stickman" - not dealer. Blackjack - yes; craps - no.

 

BTW - I've done a lot better than 30% at the tables. If you know what you're doing, odds are almost, and I do say almost, even. Unless the table is really "cold", pass line bets backed up with "odds", and a 6 and/or 8 place bet works for me. :D

[SuzCruise]

Thanks for all the great info everyone! Hody - I'll be looking for you at the craps table and then we'll go track down PetLover to start our own little Hold 'Em tourney. ;)

 

PetLover - do you travel with your own chips or what do you use as chips? On one cruise we started a small stakes cash game in one of the lounges. But we were getting some looks of displeasure from ship personal (this wasn't on RSSC). They didn't have poker, the casino was closed, and we were bored. But a tourney would be more fun. Where did you play and did no one comment on it?

[HAL2]

Having lived in LV and now in Reno, I find myself at a craps table periodically. If I'm not mistaken the terminology is "boxman" and "stickman" - not dealer. Blackjack - yes; craps - no.

 

BTW - I've done a lot better than 30% at the tables. If you know what you're doing, odds are almost, and I do say almost, even. Unless the table is really "cold", pass line bets backed up with "odds", and a 6 and/or 8 place bet works for me. :D

 

Leonid,

 

A boxperson seats himself/herself at the craps table and ensures the pay-off is correct. The stickman man is a dealer that calls the plays.

There are four dealers assigned to a craps table with one dealer always on a break. The maxium table time is 20 minutes to prevent mental fatique.

 

And if you can you do better than 30% my bets are with you.

 

Best of Luck and Regards,

Hal in Ohio

[petlover]

Suzcruise,

We would play around 2pm in the starboard side of La Veranda after the lunch crowd left. The staff was very accommodating and expected us each sea day. Arts and crafts meets there at 3 so try to get a table as close to the rear as possible so not to disturb them. Franck (F & B mgr) had chips we used but we were a bit short so we also used the red checkers from the game room too. When we played all 3 colored chips had the same value (1 unit) and the red checkers were 5 units each. We had a $50 one time buy in and depending upon how many players would pay 1st, 2nd, 3rd place. If we had fewer players we'd just pay 1st and 2nd place. I'd bring your own chips and cards if you have them. If you don't have a dealer button you can use the wooden table number always on each table.

 

We just got off the ship yesterday (GREAT cruise!) so you won't find me. Have a great cruise!