Paul Gaugin casino info

[work2fly]

Just a quick Q. Is the ship casino open while in port or just sea days (don't know what the local rules are). I know that the ship casino is very small, but it is evening entertainment.

 

Thanks

[tombo]

When I was on PG a couple of years ago, the casino was not often open, mainly because there were no players. PG does not do many nights in port, but I would venture to say that the casino was never open when the ship was docked. Perhaps the slot machines were accessible but I can't say as I never tried.

[AnglerGirl]

Just a quick Q. Is the ship casino open while in port or just sea days (don't know what the local rules are). I know that the ship casino is very small, but it is evening entertainment.

 

Thanks

 

I just got off the PG. The casino was open every night (except Papeete dock) and if nobody was manning the 2 tables, you rang a bell and someone was ready to deal to you. There are about 15 machines and two tables.

[wanderlust402]

I just got off the PG. The casino was open every night (except Papeete dock) and if nobody was manning the 2 tables, you rang a bell and someone was ready to deal to you. There are about 15 machines and two tables.

 

What table games are offered?

[work2fly]

What table games are offered?

There are only 2 tables. Black Jack was busy every night. The other table was marked for a poker game and it was used only 1 night that we were on board. The "slot room" is very small but adaquate for the ship. We played BJ every night with the same friendly crowd. This is a wonderful cruise. Have a fantastic time. Enjoy the views..breathtaking.

[wanderlust402]

There are only 2 tables. Black Jack was busy every night. The other table was marked for a poker game and it was used only 1 night that we were on board. The "slot room" is very small but adaquate for the ship. We played BJ every night with the same friendly crowd. This is a wonderful cruise. Have a fantastic time. Enjoy the views..breathtaking.

 

Thank you for the information. I love playing blackjack. Could you tell me more about the game on the PG? (# of decks, BJ pays 3:2, dealer stands/hits soft 17, manual vs auto vs. continuous shuffler, anything else you can think of?)

[tombo]

I never played on PG as there never seemed to be anyone else playing. Prior to our trip, I did make a call to try to arrange casino credit (i.e. where you can sign chits for chips and write a check if you're a net loser) and learned that the casino operation on Regent ships is franchised out to third-party operators. Their casino credit system works like this: if you want a certain credit limit, send us a check for that amount in advance and will will refund whatever you haven't lost by the end of the cruise.

 

I later cruised on Regent Voyager and found a similar set-up. There was slightly more action at the tables but I found the house rules to be outrageouslsy disadvantageous to players (e.g. dealer wins all pushes) so I did not hang around long enough to find out all the details. I'd definitely ask for an explanation of all of the house rules before I sat down to play.

[Travelcat2]

I never played on PG as there never seemed to be anyone else playing. Prior to our trip, I did make a call to try to arrange casino credit (i.e. where you can sign chits for chips and write a check if you're a net loser) and learned that the casino operation on Regent ships is franchised out to third-party operators. Their casino credit system works like this: if you want a certain credit limit, send us a check for that amount in advance and will will refund whatever you haven't lost by the end of the cruise.

 

I later cruised on Regent Voyager and found a similar set-up. There was slightly more action at the tables but I found the house rules to be outrageouslsy disadvantageous to players (e.g. dealer wins all pushes) so I did not hang around long enough to find out all the details. I'd definitely ask for an explanation of all of the house rules before I sat down to play.

 

Everything you said is correct, however, the PG's association with Regent is about over (few weeks to go). While it is possible that the casino will be franchised out, it could be a totally different situation in 2010.

[Suite Travels]

I have been playing BJ for thirty years and I have never heard of any casino where the dealer wins all pushes.:eek: I would not play if those are the rules.

[bsrkent]

We were aboard the PG in October... maybe the best of more than 10 cruises, mostly Regent.

The Casino is open every night while at anchor.

The Casinos are leased on all Regent ships, mostly Casino Austria, but the PG house is leased to an individual with a name unfamiliar to me.

Now, on the PG they play by 'euro house rules' (something I have never seen or heard of, even in Europe) that tilt the odds even more to the house. Here are some examples:

They do not win pushes, but their blackjack will beat your multi-card 21; the dealer does not take her second card (delt up like her first card) until all the players have completed their hands, so splits and doubles are both won by the house if the dealer blackjacks; the order the cards come off also changes.

The additional advantages bothered me enough I quit playing and wrote a comment that this gives a great ship a bad rep by a leased department.

The moral is that the PG and the South Pacific are spectacular... and you aught not be playing blackjack while there... but I do love the game and the great people you meet at the tables.

Just wish they would play fair!

Enjoy all the rest of the cruise... then plan a trip to Vegas when you get home.

Edited to add that these were NOT the rules on other Regent (Casino Austria) ships.

[FlightMedic555]

I might be wrong but in every casino I have been in the dealer looks at their hole card before they start to deal additional cards to the players. If they have a 21 then the hand is over. There is never the possibility that the dealer has a 2 card BJ against my multi cared BJ as I have already lost the hand.

[bsrkent]

Reread what I wrote. The table has no dealer's window to check the down card. The dealer does not take her second card (the one that would make the blackjack) until after all the players have completed their hands... that would include a multi-card 21 in your hand.

I know, it's very odd. As I said not very fair!

Just enjoy the great ship and fabulous South Pacific.

[FlightMedic555]

I did read your post and I understand your comments. Although the dealer does not know if he/she has a 2 card blackjack the reality is that he/she has won the hand. Why does it matter, other than it is irritating, to have been dealt a 3rd card and then you have 21 against the dealer's blackjack. If they could have checked their second card they would still have 21 and you would still have lost. "Same Difference"

[rallydave]

I did read your post and I understand your comments. Although the dealer does not know if he/she has a 2 card blackjack the reality is that he/she has won the hand. Why does it matter, other than it is irritating, to have been dealt a 3rd card and then you have 21 against the dealer's blackjack. If they could have checked their second card they would still have 21 and you would still have lost. "Same Difference"

 

FlightMedic, you are correct in what you state but, you are missing the fact that you might split your cards or double down thus at least doubling your bet if not more if you split after the initial split and then lose to a blackjack when is most casino's, if the dealer gets an automatic win blackjack, you simply lose your original bet, not double or more.

 

I can think of one advantage to this scenerio in that if you get a blackjack, you are paid off before the dealer gets his or her second card thus you win with the blackjack where in a normal casino, it is a push so you don't win or lose but. I have seen Casinos where the dealing is done like this but, never have seen a dealer win a push.

 

Personally, I wouldn't bet a red cent with these odds. The odds are already in favor of the house and this just increases the odds that you or I will lose so I'll just take a push and not play.

 

Dave