Carnival Casinos!

[cruiser4630]

I plan to play some slots on the Dream next week. Hubby plays black jack, roulette, and craps. We've been on cruises, but never really played aboard before. Anyone have any tips? Do I just sit down and insert sail and sign card? Do I put cash in or does the money come off my sail and sign card? Do they offer free alcoholic or nonalcoholic drinks while playing? Will there be non-smoking areas? Anybody have any tips specific to the Dream (fun dealers, favorite machines you want me to keep warm for you, fun or loose slots, etc.)? Do you think slots are looser certain days/times/locations or is this just a fable? Thanks for any tips and tricks!!!

[katiel53]

I only play slots. You can play with cash or use your sail & sign card. No money comes out of the machines. If you have credit left or winnings, to cash out you need to use your sail & sign card. There are people walking around the casino, especially on the first night, that will show you how to use your card if you don't know how.

 

The only way to get free drinks that I know of is to get the 1500 points on your sail & sign card. It is important to insert your card whenever you play as the points are added to that.

 

On Dream when we sailed, half the casino was non-smoking and it wasn't really bad as far as smoke is concerned. Having said that we haven't sailed on Dream since the balcony smoking stopped and my understanding is that the casino bar, which was/is located on the non-smoking side of the casino is filled with smokers and the casino is very smoky. I can't personally verify that yet, but will find out this summer.

 

I think we won the most on the first night, not that we ever won a lot to start with. I just play random machines and if losing I don't stay with that machine a long time. I also don't like the wolf ones or others like that.

 

I am looking forward to going to the casino again and am interested in knowing if there are new machines since our last trip on Dream. I don't think I will get a lot of play time there at night as my granddaughter will be in the cabin with me. She may decide to stay in the cabin next door with her parents some nights, so if that is the case, I will be there longer/later.

 

Good luck to you and if you find out any good info about the casino, please post it when you come back.

[cruiser4630]

Thanks so much, Katie! If I learn anything good, I will be sure to post! It makes sense that it would be easier to win at the beginning to get ppl hooked and get them to spend all their winnings throughout the cruise. I've heard winning much at all on cruise ships was unlikely because they don't have high payouts and obviously there isn't any competition at sea! I will be looking for some fun slots with fun bonus games! I'm a little wary of the smoking situation because I am pregnant and don't need to be inhaling the smoke! I've heard the smoking was bad, but was hoping there was a sizable and protected non-smoking area. Maybe we will be lucky and there won't be too many smokers on our cruise! I hope you get some playing time in this summer!

[eponym]

Thanks so much, Katie! If I learn anything good, I will be sure to post! It makes sense that it would be easier to win at the beginning to get ppl hooked and get them to spend all their winnings throughout the cruise. I've heard winning much at all on cruise ships was unlikely because they don't have high payouts and obviously there isn't any competition at sea! I will be looking for some fun slots with fun bonus games! I'm a little wary of the smoking situation because I am pregnant and don't need to be inhaling the smoke! I've heard the smoking was bad, but was hoping there was a sizable and protected non-smoking area. Maybe we will be lucky and there won't be too many smokers on our cruise! I hope you get some playing time in this summer!

 

I am a bit worried about the smoke levels in casino too. They may have non smoking areas within casino, but I think that only means you can't directly smoke in them. It does NOT mean the non smoking areas are physically separated out and are actually smoke free. I think it's a play on wording. Will know after the upcoming cruise.

 

As far as slots go. Cruise ship slot percentage of payouts (i have heard) are lower percentage than land based U.S. Not sure about as compared Indian gaming slots, but the comparison I read was non Indian reservation slot houses in the U.S. versus ship board. I would not think that they regularly reduce the payout during each cruise period, or later in a cruise schedule, but they could if not regulated. I have played a lot of slots on cruises in the past. I won $1000 once on a $5, 2 coin machine (total of $10 per spin). Other than that for pennies or nickel machines I never ended up a winner by end of cruise, and on quarters machines once or twice.

 

There used to be, and probably still are, high odds machine progressive type jackpots available on ships.

 

I think best player odds are on craps.

 

Good luck finding a smoke free zone in the casino. Let's compare notes after the cruises again.

Edited April 18, 2015 by eponym

[Elaine5715]

The slot machines are set by manufacturer as ordered by the casino at installation. They are not "tightened"or "loosened" at any time. They don't need to . It is human nature to place meaning based on their perception of whether the slots are paying and reasoning behind it.

[Elaine5715]

I am a bit worried about the smoke levels in casino too. They may have non smoking areas within casino, but I think that only means you can't directly smoke in them. It does NOT mean the non smoking areas are physically separated out and are actually smoke free. I think it's a play on wording. Will know after the upcoming cruise.

 

As far as slots go. Cruise ship slot percentage of payouts (i have heard) are lower percentage than land based U.S. Not sure about as compared Indian gaming slots, but the comparison I read was non Indian reservation slot houses in the U.S. versus ship board. I would not think that they regularly reduce the payout during each cruise period, or later in a cruise schedule, but they could if not regulated. I have played a lot of slots on cruises in the past. I won $1000 once on a $5, 2 coin machine (total of $10 per spin). Other than that for pennies or nickel machines I never ended up a winner by end of cruise, and on quarters machines once or twice.

 

There used to be, and probably still are, high odds machine progressive type jackpots available on ships.

 

I think best player odds are on craps.

 

Good luck finding a smoke free zone in the casino. Let's compare notes after the cruises again.

 

Best player odds in any casino is blackjack.

[cruiser4630]

I've always wondered if the loosening/tightening was something that was done or just a myth. Thanks for clearing that up! Also, I've always heard craps has the best odds of any game in a casino. Obviously, I'm not planning on making any money, just fun to speculate! I do hope I can find a non-smokey area with a fun slot machine that will at least let me play a while before taking my money!

[Sixtytwo]

I am a bit dubious about the slot machines being "set" by the manufacturer. The Mississippi Gaming Commission has agents that go to the casinos periodically and unannounced and they check the machines to ensure they are paying what the state requires. All new machines are computer controlled and can be altered on the fly. I know that cruise ships are not regulated to a mandated payout and I have surely seen my odds dwindle over the period of a cruise. I would like more proof that the machines are not and can not be remotely altered by the ship's casino personnel as needed. :confused:

[pokerski82]

don't know if they tighten or loosen machine during a cruise don't think they would. But know its very easy and quick for them to do. if they are server base its even easier for them. I try not to play slots since odds are so bad. I stick to poker or blackjack since odds are way better.

[eponym]

Best player odds in any casino is blackjack.

 

It had been awhile since I looked this up. Just looked it up again. Depends on table/house game rules and payout odds for each specific game. Under Vegas rules. House edge on Craps range from 0% to 16.67 depending on what you bet on. Blackjack house edge is .28%. Slots are 2-15%. Again the article I read is Vegas based stats/rules. wizardofodds is source.

[eponym]

I know that cruise ships are not regulated to a mandated payout and I have surely seen my odds dwindle over the period of a cruise.

 

What/where is the source of that information?

 

Also, how do you know if your specific odds have dwindled on slot machines over the period of a cruise? Could they simply have previously paid out, or paid after you played, without your knowledge?

[eponym]

don't know if they tighten or loosen machine during a cruise don't think they would. But know its very easy and quick for them to do. if they are server base its even easier for them. I try not to play slots since odds are so bad. I stick to poker or blackjack since odds are way better.

 

They certainly don't need to, as the manufacturer sets the payout percentages at the factory that the client has ordered using highly secure firmware/hardware. The payout percentages assume play and pay percentages (and therefore amounts) over expected machine life cycles involving time/spins/bet levels.

 

I can not say with certainty that a ship casino can remotely alter the payout percentages or when they specifically want a machine to pay (or not to pay). I doubt anyone that might ACTUALLY know otherwise is under iron clad non disclosure agreements.

Edited April 19, 2015 by eponym

[eponym]

The slot machines are set by manufacturer as ordered by the casino at installation. They are not "tightened"or "loosened" at any time. They don't need to . It is human nature to place meaning based on their perception of whether the slots are paying and reasoning behind it.

 

Duplicate post. see below.

Edited April 19, 2015 by eponym
Duplicate

[eponym]

The slot machines are set by manufacturer as ordered by the casino at installation. They are not "tightened"or "loosened" at any time. They don't need to . It is human nature to place meaning based on their perception of whether the slots are paying and reasoning behind it.

 

That has been my understanding.

[Writerfl]

Slot machines on cruise ships are unregulated and the payout can (and is) changed "on the fly" from the casino back office. Typically, they will be set looser on the first evening of a cruise and on the last day.

 

The only restriction is that payouts cannot be altered *while* there are active credits on the machine. Occasionally after cashing out a message will appear on the small display next to the Sail-N-Sign card slot after you withdraw your card that says "Machine Settings Changed". That means the back office just tweaked the payout on that machine, although whether for good or evil you'll never know without feeding the beast some more money.

 

Please remember that these machines are there for the sole purpose of separating you from your money. The only difference is whether they do it quickly or slowly. When the payout is set "loose", the intent is to generate excitement so that even when you "win" you keep playing the machine and eventually feed it back (look up the gambling term "churn"). It takes iron will to take a good win out of the machine and pocket the money rather trying to parlay it higher, but that's your best shot at a winning trip. Jackpots are rarer than hen's teeth, even in landside casinos. On a typical seven days cruise there will be 5 or 6 of them, but out of around a HUNDRED slot machines.

 

My best advice: find a machine that entertains you and set a budget. If you win, terrific. If not, you spent X dollars to be amused, like going to the movies or some other leisure activity.

 

Good luck!

[pokerski82]

Writerfl that's what I have read in many gaming books but most land base casino the machine had to not be use for 3 mins before they change it

[eponym]

Slot machines on cruise ships are unregulated and the payout can (and is) changed "on the fly" from the casino back office. Typically, they will be set looser on the first evening of a cruise and on the last day.

 

The only restriction is that payouts cannot be altered *while* there are active credits on the machine. Occasionally after cashing out a message will appear on the small display next to the Sail-N-Sign card slot after you withdraw your card that says "Machine Settings Changed". That means the back office just tweaked the payout on that machine, although whether for good or evil you'll never know without feeding the beast some more money.

 

Please remember that these machines are there for the sole purpose of separating you from your money. The only difference is whether they do it quickly or slowly. When the payout is set "loose", the intent is to generate excitement so that even when you "win" you keep playing the machine and eventually feed it back (look up the gambling term "churn"). It takes iron will to take a good win out of the machine and pocket the money rather trying to parlay it higher, but that's your best shot at a winning trip. Jackpots are rarer than hen's teeth, even in landside casinos. On a typical seven days cruise there will be 5 or 6 of them, but out of around a HUNDRED slot machines.

 

My best advice: find a machine that entertains you and set a budget. If you win, terrific. If not, you spent X dollars to be amused, like going to the movies or some other leisure activity.

 

Good luck!

 

IF it is unregulated, why is there any restriction?

 

Best time for the house to tweak the payouts, using the information you provided in your post, would be when there are large credits 'active' on the machine.

[jmcancruise]

Maybe the odds of winning aren't great, but I have some nice new furniture in my home thanks to conservatively playing penny slots.

[eponym]

Writerfl that's what I have read in many gaming books but most land base casino the machine had to not be use for 3 mins before they change it

 

Can you reference one of those books?

[eponym]

Maybe the odds of winning aren't great, but I have some nice new furniture in my home thanks to conservatively playing penny slots.

 

Nice! We paid for the upcoming $5,000 vacation using machine winnings in the first 3 months of the year.

Edited April 19, 2015 by eponym

[Writerfl]

Eponym, great question and one I have no answer for. My prior response was based on both personal experience and a couple of article interviews I did with Williams and IGT product managers a few years back, and that's a question I never thought to ask.

 

One thing I did learn and should have mentioned is that the payout DOES in fact vary while you're playing the machine. Every modern slot bumps the payout for a short, preset amount of time when you first sit down to play it. This is called, cynically, "capture mode". Its part of the machine's basic programming, not controlled by the back office.

[eponym]

Eponym, great question and one I have no answer for. My prior response was based on both personal experience and a couple of article interviews I did with Williams and IGT product managers a few years back, and that's a question I never thought to ask.

 

One thing I did learn and should have mentioned is that the payout DOES in fact vary while you're playing the machine. Every modern slot bumps the payout for a short, preset amount of time when you first sit down to play it. This is called, cynically, "capture mode". Its part of the machine's basic programming, not controlled by the back office.

 

Interesting. In the 90's I did IT work with IGT when I live in Nevada.

 

The general understanding is that each spin begins with a completely random number generated, as applied against a complex set of pay tables. The results are applied to symbols to be displayed.

 

It is all potentially controllable. In fact, a machine purchased for home use has jackpot mode.

 

It would be extremely damaging to the legal gaming industry in the U.S. if manufacturer reps were leaking information pertaining to real time manipulation by the ownership's/hosts.

 

That mode your describing is an interesting one. I circle back to the general understanding paragraph of this post.

Edited April 19, 2015 by eponym

[cruiser4630]

You all seem to have a well-researched knowledge base (whether that be from other sources or personal experience). So am I understanding that machines don't go through winning/losing cycles, but that each spin is a separate, independent, randomly-generated result? This reminds me of a conversation I had with a friend regarding the roulette wheel. She swore that if the wheel had just landed on a certain number, it was less likely to do so again; however, I argued that the chances are the same as each spin was an independent event. The gaming industry is fascinating. congrats to those who have had big winnings! I look at it as a budgeted form of entertainment as one poster suggested. Since I'm pregnant and won't be drinking, my spending money is going to massages and the casino. :)

Edited April 19, 2015 by cruiser4630

[jason534]

Best player odds in any casino is blackjack.

 

 

The best odds are at the craps table and BJ is second...assuming statistically perfect play on both. The biggest reason craps has better odds is because it pays the "true" odds off hitting a given number, while hitting a blackjack or winning a hand always pay the same, no matter the "true" odds of doing so.

 

That said, I think craps is much more volatile than blackjack and almost always stick to blackjack.

[goduckies05]

Craps with a table full of Crappy shooters will kill your roll... wait till night to and you have a better chance for good shooters!