Casino Question

My husband and I enjoy going to the local casino from time to time. We are not big gamblers, usually $100 or less. My question is what has been your experience with on board casinos? Do they pay out well or will they just eat up all our money.

This is our first cruise coming up in July so I want to make sure we have the best time possible.

Thanks

Heather

:cool:

As with every trip to a casino, you should expect to lose your money.

Carnival does not publish their payout ratio (that I know) but as there is no competition, I would expect it to be lower than what you might be used to.

I never expect to win when I gamble. I look it as an entertainment fund. I set aside a certain amount I am willing to spend (aka lose) each day. Hopefully I can play awhile on that money, if not I am done for the day. Sometimes I win a little.

On my recent cruise on the Carnival Sunshine, I won a $1,039.00, a $1,198.93 and a $3,368.17 jackpot.

Remember you will be in international waters and thus payout regulation like you are accustomed in the US are not there.

Additionally, it is not like you can walk down the street to another casino.

I find the machines to be tighter than land based. I have the best luck in Vegas with Louisiana a close second. On the ships not too much luck. If I come out even I rate it as a successful trip.

I agree with lizzardhowson, always expect to lose your money. If you leave with a gain all the better.

I've had some good luck. I tend to try and stretch my $ by doing the $0.01 machines then I may up the denomination the last night. A couple weeks ago on the Valor I won $180 on a $0.25 machine on the 2nd pull after putting in $10. Cashed out and went back to a $0.01 machine and won another $30 on the first pull. I've won $600 on the Magic on a $1 Wheel of Fortune as well.

My personal opinion is play the machines on the first night headed out and maybe the 2nd day on a seven day cruise, then leave the Carnival Casino never to return again during that cruise. I have won several big slot pulls early in the cruise including $160 two weeks ago on a dollar machine. Now I am a light gambler, like $20 limit on an entire cruise kind of gambler and just hit the casino every once in a while, but I have never won a dime toward the end of the cruise.

My personal opinion is play the machines on the first night headed out and maybe the 2nd day on a seven day cruise, then leave the Carnival Casino never to return again during that cruise. I have won several big slot pulls early in the cruise including $160 two weeks ago on a dollar machine. Now I am a light gambler, like $20 limit on an entire cruise kind of gambler and just hit the casino every once in a while, but I have never won a dime toward the end of the cruise.

My experience has typically been the same, they pay out early in the cruise so they have all week to get you to shovel that money right back into those machines ;p. My winnings above on the Valor a couple weeks ago actually came on the last day. I was surprised.

My very first cruise on RCI's Majesty of the Seas, I loved the casino. I probably lost $200 if not more over the 7 day cruise. The very last night of our 7 day cruise I was in the casino before it closed and ended up winning $2,000 on a Keno machine! :cool: So of course for my 2nd cruise, I kept playing and lost more than I won. Let's see if I can change that on my 3rd cruise this May! :confused:

Yes, expect to lose, but you never know! I usually do better if I'm not on free drinks. :)

The last sea day (on a 7-day) has been the best for me, twice hitting and coming in just barely under the hand pay amount. But I have a friend who also won a grand about midway through a 7-day cruise.

I always used to say the machines weren't as hot the first few days. Then I took my sister and she crapped money at every machine that first two nights! Someone also hit it big at one of those BMW machines that first night, and someone hit a royal flush on the card tables. Craziest thing ever!

I'd be curious to know the state law for payout ratios of the state that Carnival Corp is registered in. I wonder if that might give you an answer as to what they legally must payout?

I played on the victory 7/2016 and had won 2 small jackpots (100 & 180) on the penny machines on the last night. Overall I came out ahead by as much :)

Have had the pleasure to enjoy:

Carnival Celebration 07

Carnival Victory 16

Carnival Valor 17

I'd be curious to know the state law for payout ratios of the state that Carnival Corp is registered in. I wonder if that might give you an answer as to what they legally must payout?

They are in international waters and do not have to follow any state laws regarding payouts. I believe they are self regulated by the CLIA and the payouts are most likely the same on all cruise lines, but I do not believe there is any set limit they must follow. If I am wrong I am sure someone will correct me later in this thread

Just plan on losing. Gamblers tend to just brag about their wins and not about how much they lost. I find the cruise ship slot machines among the worst in the industry. You have a lot better odds on table games.

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Carnival ships are registered in Panama. Yes, they probably pay out less than Vegas. I doubt if there is anything nefarious as some suggested. I don't think someone sneaks into the casino and changes the odds of the machines. I am not a big slots player, mostly real poker or blackjack. All week the casino manager was announcing jackpots, unfortunately we were not one of them

A few years back this subject came up on this board. A person that worked for a company that makes the slot machines came on and clarified how it works.

The machines have internal settings from high to low payouts. The casinos usually set theirs to be higher than cruise ships. The cruise ships want you to spend a lot in a little time. Casinos want you to stay so they let you win once in a while.

I have also read that your chances of winning are greater if you go with the lower amount on each bet. You will win more times, but less money. The higher amount you bet each time reduces the amount of times you will win, but if you do win, you will win more. Most machines will not let you get into the bonus parts unless you are hitting max anymore.

Some how. There seams to be more winners the first night of the cruise,. That is your bet shot at winning.

So far, there seems to be a lot of talk about slots, etc. Myself, I tend to stay by the card tables where I have a little more "control over my destiny". Oh, the payouts suck, but at least I can sit for a while.;)

My husband and I enjoy going to the local casino from time to time. We are not big gamblers, usually $100 or less. My question is what has been your experience with on board casinos? Do they pay out well or will they just eat up all our money.

 

This is our first cruise coming up in July so I want to make sure we have the best time possible.

 

Thanks

 

Heather

 

:cool:

my experience is that they seem to have one night where everyone seems to be winning.

With $100. I wouldn't even play the slots. Play on a table. Maybe the $5 Let It Ride table. If you haven't played before it is a super easy game to play. Find it online and play before you go. Otherwise I'd spend my money on drinks.

I only gamble to have fun ... otherwise I get mad when I lose!!! Ha ha!!!

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Always assume you'll lose...as that is the likely outcome. Set your budget for what you're willing to lose, and consider it "entertainment" expense. When it's gone, you're done. If you do win...then you're might lucky! Continue to gamble with the winnings, or pocket it and enjoy!!!