Carnival casinos

[SkinneeJ05]

Does anyone know the odds for the blackjack tables (3:2 or 6:5 for BJ) or video poker (9 full house 6 flush)?

Also in your opinion what game may be the best bang for your buck (aka actually have a chance on bringing some money home)

 

Thanks for the input

[Blackchips Ahoy]

Does anyone know the odds for the blackjack tables (3:2 or 6:5 for BJ) or video poker (9 full house 6 flush)?

Also in your opinion what game may be the best bang for your buck (aka actually have a chance on bringing some money home)

 

Thanks for the input

 

Regular BJ on the ship pays 3:2. They use shuffling machines on all of the reg. BJ tables which means the money will shuffle from your wallet to their tray. DO NOT PLAY REGULAR BJ ON THE SHIP.

 

Instead, try the Fun21 table. It is a BJ variant game with many better rules for the player. For example, you get paid like a BJ right away when you draw up to a 21. You get paid 3:2 for a 7-7-7 or a 6-7-8. Same for 5 or more card 21's. The caveat is that ALL OF THE QUEENS ARE REMOVED from the decks. That may seem insignificant at first, but if you sit down and play your regular BJ strategy, you're going to get creamed. I've seen it time and time again and when I warn people and try to give them clues, they're all way smarter than me and end up losing their arses. Big mistake.;)

 

 

What you should do is go to wizzardofodds dot com, click on the strategy tab, go to the 'Spanish21' information page, and print the first chart, laminate it, practice at home before your cruise, then take the chart with you and win tons of money. Forget the machines on the ship as the odds are horrific and not worth your effort.

 

 

We play with that chart and 8 times out of 10, we end up paying for our cat 11 or 12 room plus make some money on top of it.

 

 

If you're ever in the casino and see us at the Fun21 table with our charts, sit down, pay attention, play EXACTLY how the card tells you to play, and you just might come out ahead of the game in the long run. I know that DW and I have!:D

 

 

Good luck!

[scon]

last year on triumph I played roulette every time I went to the casino. About 5 times, all told I pocketed about $300.00 (thanks larry bird #33 will always turn up). always sat down with $20 and only walked away once with out the 20 back. The wife only plays slots, foxwoods, mohegan,cruise ship,back ally dive bar. If my math is correct I think she lost all my winnings. The payout on those things is terrible at sea. Stay away. Never got the chance to try blackjack maybe next time.

[crusnbee]

I gave up on the blackjack tables for two reasons:

 

1) never play on a table that uses a multi-deck shoe, let alone the shuffler

2) most people <stress most> don't know the rules and I just cringe watching people hit when the dealer is showing six

 

That said, I have played three card poker on my last two cruises and have ended several hundred up. There are not very many tables and sometimes hard to get a seat, but <IMO> worth it.

CJ

[aggieastrosfan]

What you should do is go to wizzardofodds dot com, click on the strategy tab, go to the 'Spanish21' information page, and print the first chart, laminate it, practice at home before your cruise, then take the chart with you and win tons of money.

 

I've got my chart ready to go! Looking forward to giving this a run.

[tarheel04]

regular bj on the ship pays 3:2. They use shuffling machines on all of the reg. Bj tables which means the money will shuffle from your wallet to their tray. Do not play regular bj on the ship.

 

Instead, try the fun21 table. It is a bj variant game with many better rules for the player. For example, you get paid like a bj right away when you draw up to a 21. You get paid 3:2 for a 7-7-7 or a 6-7-8. Same for 5 or more card 21's. The caveat is that all of the queens are removed from the decks. That may seem insignificant at first, but if you sit down and play your regular bj strategy, you're going to get creamed. I've seen it time and time again and when i warn people and try to give them clues, they're all way smarter than me and end up losing their arses. Big mistake.;)

 

 

what you should do is go to wizzardofodds dot com, click on the strategy tab, go to the 'spanish21' information page, and print the first chart, laminate it, practice at home before your cruise, then take the chart with you and win tons of money. Forget the machines on the ship as the odds are horrific and not worth your effort.

 

 

We play with that chart and 8 times out of 10, we end up paying for our cat 11 or 12 room plus make some money on top of it.

 

 

If you're ever in the casino and see us at the fun21 table with our charts, sit down, pay attention, play exactly how the card tells you to play, and you just might come out ahead of the game in the long run. I know that dw and i have!:d

 

 

good luck!

 

thanks for the info. I just printed my chart out ( the first one that comes up, right? ) just have a few questions for you. First of all did i print the right chart? Mine says across the top " dealer hits on soft 17 ". The next question is what do the columns mean? I'm assumming that the left column is what i have been dealt and the top column is what is showing for the dealer. Is that correct? I understand the the pairs, but what does hard and soft mean in the left column. What is the usual minimum bet on fun 21 on carnival ships. Thanks for your tips and i hope you don't mind a few more questions.

[cb at sea]

A soft 17 is when there are more than 2 cards that total 17. A "hard" 17 is a 10 (or face card) and a 7.

The usual min. is $5.

[Silverscreencruiser]

A soft 17 is when there are more than 2 cards that total 17. A "hard" 17 is a 10 (or face card) and a 7.

The usual min. is $5.

 

A soft 17 is a combination of cards that includes an ace that adds up to either 7 or 17, such as A-6, A-3-3, etc. If you hit a soft 17, you can't bust, because if you draw a five, for example, you have a 12.

 

A hard 17 is any other combination of cards that adds to 17, such as 10-7. If you hit a hard 17 and draw any card higher than a four, you will bust. If you have A-6, that's a soft 17. If you hit it and draw a ten, it becomes a hard 17.

 

As a player you should ALWAYS hit (or double down if the dealer has a 3-6 showing) on a soft 17. Last year, Carnival changed the rules so that the dealer now hits a soft 17. That increases the house advantage slightly.

[Blackchips Ahoy]

I've got my chart ready to go! Looking forward to giving this a run.

 

 

Outstanding!! I wish you luck of the best kind.:D

 

 

BTW, I meant to say wizardofodds dot com. I misspelled it above.

 

 

 

thanks for the info. I just printed my chart out ( the first one that comes up, right? ) just have a few questions for you. First of all did i print the right chart? Mine says across the top " dealer hits on soft 17 ". The next question is what do the columns mean? I'm assuming that the left column is what i have been dealt and the top column is what is showing for the dealer. Is that correct? I understand the the pairs, but what does hard and soft mean in the left column. What is the usual minimum bet on fun 21 on carnival ships. Thanks for your tips and i hope you don't mind a few more questions.

 

 

That is the correct chart. Dealer hits soft 17. Your column assumption is correct. Across for dealer, down for your cards.

 

 

 

Keep in mind that people who don't know the correct strategy may ridicule you and try to 'set you straight.' Simply ignore these ploppys and follow the chart explicitly. One of the most important things to remember is when when you have a hard 16 or 17 with your first 2 cards and the dealer shows an Ace, surrender immediately. It's printed in fine print at the bottom. If the dealer has an Ace, and you draw cards and end up with a hard 17, hit it again. Trust the numbers, they don't lie. (unless the U.S. government is involved somehow, lol.) That drives regular blackjackies nuts, but it is the mathematically correct move.:D

[aggieastrosfan]

Outstanding!! I wish you luck of the best kind.:D

 

Thanks! I'll be sure to update on how I did on Monday when I get back. If it goes well I may be hanging out at the Fun 21 table on the Splendor also!

[aggieastrosfan]

Keep in mind that people who don't know the correct strategy may ridicule you and try to 'set you straight.' Simply ignore these ploppys and follow the chart explicitly. One of the most important things to remember is when when you have a hard 16 or 17 with your first 2 cards and the dealer shows an Ace, surrender immediately. It's printed in fine print at the bottom. If the dealer has an Ace, and you draw cards and end up with a hard 17, hit it again. Trust the numbers, they don't lie. (unless the U.S. government is involved somehow, lol.) That drives regular blackjackies nuts, but it is the mathematically correct move.:D

 

It's gonna drive me nuts doing it!! I'm determined to stick to it 100%, though. After all, it says to do it that way for a reason, right? Otherwise, what's the point?

[outerbks]

CRAPS! Roll the dice. The most fun and group activity in the casino. :cool:

[lukegr]

Regular BJ on the ship pays 3:2. They use shuffling machines on all of the reg. BJ tables which means the money will shuffle from your wallet to their tray. DO NOT PLAY REGULAR BJ ON THE SHIP.

 

Instead, try the Fun21 table. It is a BJ variant game with many better rules for the player. For example, you get paid like a BJ right away when you draw up to a 21. You get paid 3:2 for a 7-7-7 or a 6-7-8. Same for 5 or more card 21's. The caveat is that ALL OF THE QUEENS ARE REMOVED from the decks. That may seem insignificant at first, but if you sit down and play your regular BJ strategy, you're going to get creamed. I've seen it time and time again and when I warn people and try to give them clues, they're all way smarter than me and end up losing their arses. Big mistake.;)

 

 

What you should do is go to wizzardofodds dot com, click on the strategy tab, go to the 'Spanish21' information page, and print the first chart, laminate it, practice at home before your cruise, then take the chart with you and win tons of money. Forget the machines on the ship as the odds are horrific and not worth your effort.

 

 

We play with that chart and 8 times out of 10, we end up paying for our cat 11 or 12 room plus make some money on top of it.

 

 

If you're ever in the casino and see us at the Fun21 table with our charts, sit down, pay attention, play EXACTLY how the card tells you to play, and you just might come out ahead of the game in the long run. I know that DW and I have!:D

 

 

Good luck!

Are you allowed to bring charts right to the table?

[kimberlys]

Regular BJ on the ship pays 3:2. They use shuffling machines on all of the reg. BJ tables which means the money will shuffle from your wallet to their tray. DO NOT PLAY REGULAR BJ ON THE SHIP.

 

Good luck!

 

Is that continuous shuffle or automatic shuffling at the end of a shoe?

My husband like BJ, but he might not like this version.

[Fazzdaan]

Blackchips, I am gonna be looking for you.......

[Fazzdaan]

Also, does the dealer have the option to stand or hit a soft 17? If so, how does he/she decide?

[Rapunzel41]

What you should do is go to wizzardofodds dot com, click on the strategy tab, go to the 'Spanish21' information page, and print the first chart, laminate it, practice at home before your cruise, then take the chart with you and win tons of money. Forget the machines on the ship as the odds are horrific and not worth your effort.

 

 

We play with that chart and 8 times out of 10, we end up paying for our cat 11 or 12 room plus make some money on top of it.

 

I couldn't find the pages / links you mentioned. The site it took me too was just a bunch of links to other sites...

 

Any chance someone could PM me the correct URL?

[Fazzdaan]

http://wizardofodds.com/spanish21

[Rapunzel41]

Thank you! There were two z's in the first link, which is why it wouldn't open correctly! i appreciate the assist!

[henrid]

It is the right link. Go back to the link. Across the top click on "Advice & Strategy", then go down and click on "Spanish 21". This will bring you to the rules and charts. GL!

[Casino Player]

Does anyone know the odds for the blackjack tables (3:2 or 6:5 for BJ) or video poker (9 full house 6 flush)?

Also in your opinion what game may be the best bang for your buck (aka actually have a chance on bringing some money home)

 

Thanks for the input

 

At most BJ tables the odds will be 3-2 payout for a BJ. If one deck is used then the odds are 6-5. It should say so on the layout that is being used.

Video poker depends on what type of game and slot machine that is being used.

The best bang for your buck and the best chance of bringing some money home is craps. The house only has a 1.45% edge if you play the pass line. 1.43% edge if you play the don't pass. Read this carefully now, when a point is established and you can make an odds bet take the maximum odds you can. The house edge slips to .80% at that point. The same odds are for the Come bets and the Don't Come bets. That is the best odds you will have in the casino.

[I Am Canadian, Eh]

Is that continuous shuffle or automatic shuffling at the end of a shoe?

My husband like BJ, but he might not like this version.

 

 

Continuous shuffle :(.

[Tom-n-Cheryl]

...

Instead, try the Fun21 table. It is a BJ variant game with many better rules for the player. For example, you get paid like a BJ right away when you draw up to a 21. You get paid 3:2 for a 7-7-7 or a 6-7-8. Same for 5 or more card 21's. The caveat is that ALL OF THE QUEENS ARE REMOVED from the decks. That may seem insignificant at first, but if you sit down and play your regular BJ strategy, you're going to get creamed. I've seen it time and time again and when I warn people and try to give them clues, they're all way smarter than me and end up losing their arses. Big mistake.;)

 

 

What you should do is go to wizzardofodds dot com, click on the strategy tab, go to the 'Spanish21' information page, and print the first chart, laminate it, practice at home before your cruise, then take the chart with you and win tons of money. Forget the machines on the ship as the odds are horrific and not worth your effort.

 

 

We play with that chart and 8 times out of 10, we end up paying for our cat 11 or 12 room plus make some money on top of it.

 

 

If you're ever in the casino and see us at the Fun21 table with our charts, sit down, pay attention, play EXACTLY how the card tells you to play, and you just might come out ahead of the game in the long run. I know that DW and I have!:D

 

 

Good luck!

 

Since you expressed an interest in this variant game (which I have enjoyed as well), I wanted to ask if you have had the chance to play Blackjack Switch ( http://wizardofodds.com/blackjack/bj_switch.html ). I think that you will find it's even a better game than Spanish (Fun) 21. The house advantage is as low as 0.16% !! I played it at 5 spots in Vegas last week (Encore, Wynn, Bill's, and a couple I can't recall)!

 

To sum it up:

 

> The player must make two bets of equal size.

> Cards will be dealt face up.

> Dealer will peek for blackjack with an ace or ten up. If the dealer has a blackjack all player hands will immediatley lose, except a player blackjack will push.

> The player may switch the second card dealt to each hand. For example, if one hand has 5,10 and the other has 10,6, the player may switch the 10 and 6 to have two hands of 11 and 20. The player may also switch cards to form a blackjack.

> Player may double on any 2 cards.

> Player may double after a split.

> Player may resplit up to four hands.

> Winning player blackjacks pay even money.

> A dealer total of 22 will push against any player total of 21 or less. A player blackjack will still beat a dealer 22.

 

As you can see, the fact that you can rearrange your cards is partially offset by even money BJ and the 22 push. Even with that factored in, it's a great game. I managed about 3 grand at Bill's in a little over an hour. I was also up a fair bit at Encore, and suddenly there were two casino supervisors watching the table. I hit a bad run of cards and most of it evaporated. I think that they thought I was an advantage player (counter - I am not) or had some special way to beat them, LOL. When I started to appear "human" they lost interest. :rolleyes: As pretty as Encore is, it was not very busy from what I could tell. I understand Steve Wynn's comp system is pretty tight. I thought he "scored" signing Danny Gans on recently (big contract) - only to have the fellow suddenly DIE (age 52) a couple of weeks ago!!

 

btw.. at 2-3 locations I was payed MORE THAN ONCE by the dealer when they "busted" with a 22. It's "automatic" for many of them!!! :D

 

At any rate, if you find this game - take a seat... along with a slightly modified strategy card. You will enjoy it!

 

Tom

[bobsfamily]

Regular BJ on the ship pays 3:2. They use shuffling machines on all of the reg. BJ tables which means the money will shuffle from your wallet to their tray. DO NOT PLAY REGULAR BJ ON THE SHIP.

BULL!!! I've played "regular" BJ on every trip and enjoy it, plus usually win. "21" is to TAKE your money... any game anybody can win at ... AND LOSE. DO NOT expect to have Blackchips success. Be VERY careful at this game. I glad that Blackchips is so successful... and I glad that I am successful at "regular" blackjack... as with all games, only take what you feel comfortable LOSING and consider it entertainment... then you will have fun. The continuous shuffle machine is bad if you are an expert at card "reading" but otherwise the only "bad" thing is the dealer never stops to shuffle.

[Tom-n-Cheryl]

BULL!!! I've played "regular" BJ on every trip and enjoy it, plus usually win. "21" is to TAKE your money... any game anybody can win at ... AND LOSE. DO NOT expect to have Blackchips success. Be VERY careful at this game. I glad that Blackchips is so successful... and I glad that I am successful at "regular" blackjack... as with all games, only take what you feel comfortable LOSING and consider it entertainment... then you will have fun. The continuous shuffle machine is bad if you are an expert at card "reading" but otherwise the only "bad" thing is the dealer never stops to shuffle.

 

I have found that Fun21, just like "regular" BJ has big swings in both directions. If played "correctly" the house advantage is not too bad - though nowhere near the .26% that a "good" BJ game delivers (and you WON'T find a good game onboard). Good= Dealer stands on soft 17, you can double any two cards, split any pair, re-split aces, and offers late surrender.

 

I am "so-so" w/regard to the CSM - from what I have read on the wizardofodds website (as you said if you DON'T count) the CSM actually is a slight advantage over a shoe game. That, however - as you pointed out - means A LOT more hands per hour, thus it's typically a little more costly to you, since the house has the edge!

 

Tom