Texas Holdem on the Getaway

[pepsicrave]

Do they have No Limit Holdem and if so what limits and is it a machine or live table.

[Guindalf]

Yes, there is usually a game going on. Buy-in is about $80 (on the Dawn in January, so I assume it's the same on the BA). The rake is, I think 10%, much higher than a land-based casino.

 

There are usually at least one or two tournaments with the first one being on the first sea day - $80 entry and $80 rebuy and an optional $80 boost at the end of the first hour (and the end of rebuys).

 

There is also an Ultimate Texas Hold'Em table, but I've never played.

[SRW-CDW]

I'm interested in knowing about the live dealer versus the machines too. IIRC, the last time I cruised on Carnival back in 2011, they had the machines. Hope NCL is different.

[wjwolf]

I went on the Getaway 18 months ago and it was a live dealer. Also on the Epic in April and it was a live dealer. 10% rake is crazy, but it's your only option so you pay it! lol

[pokerpro5]

Don't play it.

 

The rake is so high that it is unbeatable.

 

I am a poker professional, and even I avoid those games despite having a substantial skill advantage.

[CP Tech]

Did 2 tourney's on the Getaway last December. First one stunk, second got 3rd.

 

Live dealers.

[Froggitt]

Don't play it.

 

The rake is so high that it is unbeatable.

 

I am a poker professional, and even I avoid those games despite having a substantial skill advantage.

 

Depends if you can find a route where the players are so bad, that even a moderately good player can turn a substantial profit every night.

[pokerpro5]

Depends if you can find a route where the players are so bad, that even a moderately good player can turn a substantial profit every night.

 

Nope. With a 10% rake, you have no idea how "bad" your opponents have to be in order to be a favorite to turn a profit.

 

The NCL games should be avoided, unless you really are just playing for fun and don't care about winning.

 

Also, the tournaments are horrible, as well. They take about 50% from the prizepool.

 

Both of these are SEVERAL TIMES WORSE than the norm at land-based card rooms, where it is STILL often difficult to beat low-limit games due to the rake.

 

I am a poker professional and have supported myself with the game for 13 years. I know what I'm talking about.

[Froggitt]

Oh they were really bad.......take my word for it. And they thought they were decent players..........a great combination!!!

 

And I wont do NCL tournaments for the reason you state.

[flipper32]

You would be surprised at how bad the players are on most ships especially after drinking. I never play in the tournaments just the cash games and have always done very well.

[pokerpro5]

You guys underestimate how terrible 10% rake with no cap really is.

 

It's unbeatable long term. If you're doing well, you're just getting lucky.

 

Yes, I know that the competition in these games is terrible. In 2009, I played a cruise ship cash game with the 10% rake, and I busted all 6 opponents. I walked away winning $300. Guess who the biggest winner was? The rake. It finished up $500. That's how bad it was. 7 players bought in for a combined $800 (approximately), and only $300 was left after the rake. And this was ONE NIGHT of poker.

 

As I said, if you want to play for fun, have at it. But if you're doing it to win money, don't bother.

[CP Tech]

See, I pay the entry fee and don't do the add-ons or rebuys. When I'm out I'm out.

 

I've done pretty good.

 

I pay $60 (first game on the Star a few years ago) and walked out with $750 because I was too tired to keep playing.