Black Jack Rules (Elation)

[4yanx]

I would have pre-cruise interest in Black Jack rules in the casino aboard Elation (to the extent that rules are or are not ship-specific).

 

Dealer show both cards or is there a hole card?

 

Dealer must hit 16, 17, what?

 

What about pushes - to the player, dealer, or a true push?

 

Any "five under" winners?

 

Any special rules - doubling, splitting pairs, etc, etc.?

 

Any and all info appreciated.

[big_duck]

Rules are fleet wide and right here: http://www.oceanplayers.com/games/blackjack.asp

[tef43]

Carnival's blackjack rules:

 

http://www.oceanplayersclub.com/games/blackjack.asp

[4yanx]

Mucho obligato! If either of youse is on my cruise, I'll drop a side bet for ya! 12/26 Elation!

[4yanx]

So, I am assuming dealers must hit 16 and must stand on 17 (hard or soft) and that there is no "five under" winners.

 

Does it make sense or is it possible to join this club prior to sailing if not currently a member?

 

Anyone play "Let It Ride"? looks like it could be fun!

[big_duck]

So, I am assuming dealers must hit 16 and must stand on 17 (hard or soft) and that there is no "five under" winners.

 

Does it make sense or is it possible to join this club prior to sailing if not currently a member?

 

Anyone play "Let It Ride"? looks like it could be fun!

 

Correct.

 

Can't be done. And there is no real benefit unless you play the slots (constantly).

 

Sorry, no.

[Tom-n-Cheryl]

So, I am assuming dealers must hit 16 and must stand on 17 (hard or soft) and that there is no "five under" winners.

 

Does it make sense or is it possible to join this club prior to sailing if not currently a member?

 

Anyone play "Let It Ride"? looks like it could be fun!

 

Dealer stands on ALL 17's. The only CCL game to give 5+ card bonus is with a total of 21 in the FUN21 (Spanish 21) game that they offer - though there is more house advantage with that game.

 

I do not bother with the Ocean Players Club. I turned in a form to "join" twice on previous cruises at the insistence of pit bosses due to my level

of play (typically green chips) for 4+ hours/day. I never heard another word from them (I suppose something should have been mailed to me..) Playing this same way on the Miracle last week earned me free drinks and a Players Club shirt and cards... uh huh... my real payoff was the WINNINGS :cool: (covered cruise fare for 2 in a suite).

 

This comment is not directed to the OP, but rather to the casual BJ player: Just don't deviate from SOLID BASIC STRATEGY, and throw in a bit of LUCK! I know how hard it can be to take a hit (your 16 against the dealer 7+ card) but in the LONG RUN, you are better off taking a shot at making it to the land of 17+ than to wait and let the dealer make his hand... take it like a man lol. Most people at the tables do NOT play SOLID strategy, instead they rely on what they call HUNCHES or FEELINGS...lol, if they can predict the future, they would not be playing $5 blackjack.... :)

 

Other words of wisdom: ALWAYS double and split when called for - these are the times you can make some real $ (yes, you can also BLOW a lot then too!!!)

 

Tom

[Kittybork]

I have the basic strategy (I think). Can you tell me where I can purchase some of the luck?

[Tom-n-Cheryl]

I have the basic strategy (I think). Can you tell me where I can purchase some of the luck?

 

That is my problem... I can't always recall where I bought it... or LEFT it...:eek:

 

Tom

[Kittybork]

I'm not familiar with the term, "Surrender is not offered." What is that?

[big_duck]

I'm not familiar with the term, "Surrender is not offered." What is that?

 

Some casinos allow you to surrender your hand for half? your original bet.

[Kittybork]

Okay. I've never seen that done, but I would probably surrender half of the ones I get.

 

Thanks

[bthorn1108]

The only thing that I might add to this thread is that on the Fun 21 blackjack (as previously stated, similar to Spanish 21), the dealer must hit a soft 17 and this is the only blackjack game in the casino where you can surrender.

[CTMak]

I can't agree more with Tom: ya gotta hit 16 if the dealer is showing 7+. especially if you're sitting clean-up. Take the hit. It's in your best interest!

 

 

CTMak

[4yanx]

I can't agree more with Tom: ya gotta hit 16 if the dealer is showing 7+. especially if you're sitting clean-up. Take the hit. It's in your best interest!

 

 

CTMak

 

This should go without saying, but there are even more "amateurs" in the casino on cruises than in Vegas or AC. This is not to disparage them as everyone if entitled to have there fun. Just sayin'!

[msolberg]

For me, the definitive gaming strategy/reference site is http://wizardofodds.com/ . It has the right strategy for almost all games and it's free. The site dispells a lot of common gambling myths.

 

Here's a blurb from the website.

 

The Wizard of Odds is Michael Shackleford, A.S.A., a professional actuary who has made a career of analyzing casino games. He runs the numbers on new games for casinos and game developers and has helped design many of the popular slot machines on the Internet. He is currently an Adjunct Professor of Casino Math at the University of Nevada, Las Vegas, a former contributing editor to Casino Player magazine, and the author of the book Gambling 102, recently published by Huntington Press.

[msolberg]

I don't mean to keep bumping the thread but it's surprising how many people think they play basic strategy and actually don't. This includes most dealers too (I use to be one). You get dirty looks from the "experts" when you hit soft 18 against a ten and they'll think you're nuts for doing it against a nine. But as a previous poster said, play all the basic strategy rules, it's your best bet.

 

Also, I have to say I'm surprised at how liberal the 21 rules are on the ships. They stand on soft 17, which was hard to find even in Vegas on my last trip there. Their doubling and splitting rules are decent too. They have a captive audience and a lot of the people in the casino wouldn't know good rules from bad ones so they could get away with about anything.

[Tom-n-Cheryl]

I don't mean to keep bumping the thread but it's surprising how many people think they play basic strategy and actually don't. This includes most dealers too (I use to be one). You get dirty looks from the "experts" when you hit soft 18 against a ten and they'll think you're nuts for doing it against a nine. But as a previous poster said, play all the basic strategy rules, it's your best bet.

 

Also, I have to say I'm surprised at how liberal the 21 rules are on the ships. They stand on soft 17, which was hard to find even in Vegas on my last trip there. Their doubling and splitting rules are decent too. They have a captive audience and a lot of the people in the casino wouldn't know good rules from bad ones so they could get away with about anything.

 

It is for this reason that I feel a little more comfortable seeing a dealer with a 5 rather than a 6.... just about the time I think I have won (holding on a 12 or doubling an 11 and pulling an ACE to it) the dealer with a 6 showing will flip the hole card and display an ace...

 

As far as there being more novice players on a ship, it appears that this is the case - on the last night the 3 of us (myself, wife, 18yo son) were sitting in the 1st base area. A fellow with green and black chips sat down at 3rd. It is PAINFUL to watch a guy have to think VERY HARD about hitting his 13 against the dealers KING... sometimes he would, other times not. My biggest win that evening, playing 2 spots with a couple of splits and doubles ( none of which made it to 17), came when he hit his 14 against the dealers 4. He pulled a 5. The dealer showed his card (10) and proceeded to bust with a 10. Talk about a roller coaster ride!

 

I know that the "wrong" play of others should not change my long range chances, but it REALLY makes you take a long, hard look!

 

If someone ASKS for advice, I will tell them what I would do - with the disclaimer of "it depends on what the dealer GIVES you". My son, playing for the first time this cruise, is a PRIME example of how some people only like your advice when it WORKS (he does not hesitate to show how he feels - verbal and/or non-verbal cues... at least he does it quitely!!!)

 

Tom

[4yanx]

I VERY RARELY give advice to someone the table. Never without being asked and seldom even when asked. As they say, "No good deed goes unpunished"! Usually, I'll just say something like "It's your call".

 

If someone is playing "foolishly" at your table, there is always the option of moving to another. I've done that, rather then grow angry at foolish play. In the short run, which is usually what I'm on when cruising, foolish play by others in terms of taking cards when they "shouldn't", etc. DOES make a difference. But, everyone is supposed to be there to have fun, maybe win a bit, but not lose too much. I will give wide latitude with respect to the first two, but not the thrid! Ha! ;) :)

[big_duck]

It is for this reason that I feel a little more comfortable seeing a dealer with a 5 rather than a 6.... just about the time I think I have won (holding on a 12 or doubling an 11 and pulling an ACE to it) the dealer with a 6 showing will flip the hole card and display an ace...

 

As far as there being more novice players on a ship, it appears that this is the case - on the last night the 3 of us (myself, wife, 18yo son) were sitting in the 1st base area. A fellow with green and black chips sat down at 3rd. It is PAINFUL to watch a guy have to think VERY HARD about hitting his 13 against the dealers KING... sometimes he would, other times not. My biggest win that evening, playing 2 spots with a couple of splits and doubles ( none of which made it to 17), came when he hit his 14 against the dealers 4. He pulled a 5. The dealer showed his card (10) and proceeded to bust with a 10. Talk about a roller coaster ride!

 

I know that the "wrong" play of others should not change my long range chances, but it REALLY makes you take a long, hard look!

 

If someone ASKS for advice, I will tell them what I would do - with the disclaimer of "it depends on what the dealer GIVES you". My son, playing for the first time this cruise, is a PRIME example of how some people only like your advice when it WORKS (he does not hesitate to show how he feels - verbal and/or non-verbal cues... at least he does it quitely!!!)

 

Tom

 

Jeez imagine how you would have felt if those two cards were reversed. I hate sitting down there. I hit a 16 against a 7 and busted. Dealer came to 21. The guy sitting next to me went ballastic on my ass. :rolleyes: Won't sit down there anymore.

[Kittybork]

Did the guy think that you could see through the cards? If you hadn't hit, and the dealer had made a hand, the guy would have blamed you anyway. Sometimes, people tend to forget that it's gambling.

[4yanx]

Jeez imagine how you would have felt if those two cards were reversed. I hate sitting down there. I hit a 16 against a 7 and busted. Dealer came to 21. The guy sitting next to me went ballastic on my ass. :rolleyes: Won't sit down there anymore.

 

Hmmm. I tend to play pretty much "by the book" but will take the rare "flyer". You say someone when ballistic on your ass? Sounds like a good way for them to wind up on there's if they did that to me. Not to act all tough, but there is no excuse for that. I will assume that the dealer asked them to leave the table and, if not, you insisted that he/she do so.

[big_duck]

Did the guy think that you could see through the cards? If you hadn't hit, and the dealer had made a hand, the guy would have blamed you anyway. Sometimes, people tend to forget that it's gambling.

 

That's the thing about sitting next to the dealer. Some people expect you to take one for the team. :rolleyes:

 

The guy got up and left.

[RizzoLee]

This should go without saying, but there are even more "amateurs" in the casino on cruises than in Vegas or AC. This is not to disparage them as everyone if entitled to have there fun. Just sayin'!

 

I'm one of those 'amateurs', lol. I occasionally play blackjack while on the ship, at Niagara Falls, etc. I'm always worried that I'm 'upsetting' people-I never sit first or last position, but my DBF says that I don't always 'follow the rules'-I use my gut sometimes and am usually right. Nobody's 'blasted' me-but I can tell that I sometimes frustrate people. I usually follow their advice and the rules until I get frustrated myself or do not win several hands in a row-then I go with my gut.

 

I know I may be ruining their own chances of winning, and I try to play for the table most of the time-but am I not there to make money for myself? I'm very confused on this-belive me, I don't do it deliberately, but for you more experienced players out there, what would be the 'correct' thing to do-keep playing 'my way' or just play by the rules all the time even when I end up losing a lot???

I don't want to continue potentially upsetting people, and need a solid answer for once, lol. :o

Thanks!

[Tom-n-Cheryl]

That's the thing about sitting next to the dealer. Some people expect you to take one for the team. :rolleyes:

 

The guy got up and left.

 

I've had a couple of people do that when I play FUN21/SPANISH21 (I like 3rd base). If the dealer is showing a 2, and I have a 14 - that is a HIT.... it freaks people out who try to play this game the same as "regular" blackjack...:D (Carnival takes out all the QUEENS in the deck, whereas the actual SPANISH21 game has the TENS removed)

 

One of my favorite SPANISH21 tables WAS at the Casino Magic in Biloxi - they were one of the VERY FEW places that would let you double, and then RE-DOUBLE again if you like... it can work out VERY good, or VERY bad... lol

 

Oh - btw... I agree that the WIZARDOFODDS site is a great source of information!!!

 

Tom