Casino / Poker advice

[NoobSaibot]

Hi,

 

First time cruiser sailing from Southampton on Emerald Princess on 7th May.

 

Just wondering if anyone can advise re the casino, specifically poker:

 

Does anyone know if there is likely to be a poker game running in the casino?

 

Any advice on rake in cash games? I heard it was 10% uncapped?

 

In terms of cash for the casino what is the best tactic, should I take US dollars in cash, buy casino credit or can I buy chips at the casino cage and charge to the ship account?

 

Thanks in advance!

[mina]

The emerald has a poker pro table for hold em. When the casino is open, they typically have cash games running. I do not know the rake, but dh indicates it is quite high. You can purchase table game chips for table games by telling the dealer. The pit boss takes your card and has you sign for them. You can automatically put $ on your card for use at the poker pro table or slots by establishing a pin. It would be easier to do that then to try to use cash for your poker pro table. You cash out any winnings at the cage. On sea days they often will have a tournament advertised. Be sure to go sign up early as its only one table tourney and slots fill up fast. The tourney costs I have seen have been either $50 or $100. Although they advertise casino credit purchases, they have recently changed. You used to get cards in your stateroom that you could bring to the casino and cash in at the cage. I loved that as I could budget my daily spending in the casino. Now, they just make it a standard on board credit and you use your card as you would if you were charging it to your onboard account.

[IDsailor]

I personally hate the poker pro table. Never trust a computer deal. I usually bring my own chips and cards for friendly tournament games. Last fall on the Emerald, the casino manager would not do tournaments on the Poker Pro Table. Just cash games and nobody was ever using it.

[NoobSaibot]

Thanks for the replies - was looking forward to trying these tables as looks quicker than a normal dealer (plus machine won't need tipping!) Heard the tourney structures were awful so was hoping to play cash if games are running

 

Do you know if the casino charge an additional fee to load money onto your card once onboard? I.e is it worth buying onboard credit in advance?

[azbirdmom]

I don't play but DH does. He said that the rake is 15% up to a maximum of $8 per hand. We haven't seen a tournament for a while, it seems to be all no-limit cash games. They do not charge a fee you if you put your buy-in on your cruise card. The amount will just go on your folio for the cruise just like anything else you charge. Unless you are concerned about adding charges to your on board bill, you don't need to worry about getting casino cash beforehand.

[Lucky TGO]

The best advice I can give you DON"T PLAY double your money fold it in half and put it back in your pocket 💸 💸 :eek:

Tony

[NoobSaibot]

Thanks for the info will probably not play much as 15% rake is likely to kill the games unless some pretty big whales are spewing cash

 

Was planning to take a few buyins but will just load a few hundred on the card if a game is running. Thanks to all as saved me wasting a few quid on exchanging cash!

[CruisingJs]

The emerald has a poker pro table for hold em. When the casino is open, they typically have cash games running. I do not know the rake, but dh indicates it is quite high. You can purchase table game chips for table games by telling the dealer. The pit boss takes your card and has you sign for them. You can automatically put $ on your card for use at the poker pro table or slots by establishing a pin. It would be easier to do that then to try to use cash for your poker pro table. You cash out any winnings at the cage. On sea days they often will have a tournament advertised. Be sure to go sign up early as its only one table tourney and slots fill up fast. The tourney costs I have seen have been either $50 or $100. Although they advertise casino credit purchases, they have recently changed. You used to get cards in your stateroom that you could bring to the casino and cash in at the cage. I loved that as I could budget my daily spending in the casino. Now, they just make it a standard on board credit and you use your card as you would if you were charging it to your onboard account.

 

I just got off the Royal last week. When I bought my casino vouchers, their website said they would show as onboard credit but I was pleased to see the regular $100 vouchers in my cabin when I arrived.

[mina]

I just got off the Royal last week. When I bought my casino vouchers, their website said they would show as onboard credit but I was pleased to see the regular $100 vouchers in my cabin when I arrived.

 

That's good, maybe we will try some then for our upcoming emerald cruise. Thanks for that update.

[wheezedr]

Do not know the exact number but the rake is between 15 and 16 % which is way to high. Also have heard and my play in the past seems to bear this out that the computer tends to distribute an inordinate number of high hands.

While that may be random per player it would tend to keep players in, this pushing the rake and it would distort your general style of play. I quit playing unless I really have nothing else to do and money to burn. On my roll call I look for cribbage players. LOL

[ChiefSealthCruz]

The best advice I can give you DON"T PLAY double your money fold it in half and put it back in your pocket 💸 💸 :eek:

Tony

 

I agree with Tony. The only winning move is don't play the game.