Fortunes Casino Review

[mahdnc]

@Davidson10, thanks for the review.

 

A 6:5 payout for a natural and the no even money option go hand in hand.  Even so, insuring a blackjack is a statistically poor move to make (card counting notwithstanding), as I am sure that you already know.

 

Then again, I laugh about the favorable house advantage changes that are being made when I watch some of my blackjack tablemates play their hand (e.g.splitting 10 point cards, busting a hand when the dealer is showing a stiff, etc).

Edited February 13, 2020 by mahdnc

[bikerunner]

When i was on the Reflection in Nov they ran the gambit on table plays.  i mostly play 3 card poker and had tables of both $5 and $10 min going in the evening.  Didn't pay that much attention to BJ but they had 3 tables I believe going $10-$50 min in evening and $5 table plays on sea days during the day.  I ended up a head this time on 3 card poker around 1k this past cruise.  Usually on cruises I end up around break-even or a few hundred down.  I dont play everyday and just do it for fun.  

[marieps]

An excellent review by the OP.  I play Ultimate Texas Hold 'Em and would consider it a happy circumstance to be ripped off by $40K by that maximum pay out.  Sadly, I'm quite sure Fortunes will never adopt our favorite table game: High Card Flush.   We like the action and the pay table, which we have found fairly consistent in Caesar's properties in several markets.    

[Fly and Sail]

Talking about payouts, have you recently received onboard comps for a follow-up cruise based on your gaming action during a sailing?

 

Depending on how much they need to comp someone this could influence the decision of funneling some money through Fortunes.

 

I haven't received an onboard comp for years. Back then one strategy was to book short coastal cruises that have very little casino days (aka lots of port days where they can't open it), recycle a couple grand and that way be in the top 5 players of the cruise and getting a comp for future cruises. System might have changed since then.

[Davidson10]

On 2/14/2020 at 8:26 PM, Fly and Sail said:

Talking about payouts, have you recently received onboard comps for a follow-up cruise based on your gaming action during a sailing?

 

Depending on how much they need to comp someone this could influence the decision of funneling some money through Fortunes.

 

I haven't received an onboard comp for years. Back then one strategy was to book short coastal cruises that have very little casino days (aka lots of port days where they can't open it), recycle a couple grand and that way be in the top 5 players of the cruise and getting a comp for future cruises. System might have changed since then.

Due to the increases in the house advantages on every game,  I just don’t play enough for any type of comps.

 It is probably just a spiraling downward issue. Management increases the house advantage in games resulting in less play by customers, which results in less net profit for the casino and due to less play, fewer comps are earned by Players.

Rather than recognizing that only a few customers are mindless fools who will play no matter how much the management increases in the house advantage and return to the traditional rules that were in places 10 years, which would result in a huge increase in play by customers and related profits,  management will most likely just lay-off some casino employees and reduce the number of games offered.  Resulting in additional drop in casino revenue.

[Fly and Sail]

Against my better sense I actually went to Fortunes during this trip and cycles ~ $2000 coin in through the slots (while breaking even). Not expecting anything but I wonder if there will be any bonus for regular players on this very light cruise. I don't see lots of casino action going on on this sailing which is only 50% capacity to begin with.

[CalTexCruiser]

24 minutes ago, Fly and Sail said:

Against my better sense I actually went to Fortunes during this trip and cycles ~ $2000 coin in through the slots (while breaking even). Not expecting anything but I wonder if there will be any bonus for regular players on this very light cruise. I don't see lots of casino action going on on this sailing which is only 50% capacity to begin with.

 

Did you have a chance to see what the payouts were on the BJ tables--are they all 6:5 ?

 

I'm hoping that Celebrity will revert back to more 3:2 tables to gin up more action.

[NutsAboutGolf]

26 minutes ago, CalTexCruiser said:

 

Did you have a chance to see what the payouts were on the BJ tables--are they all 6:5 ?

 

I'm hoping that Celebrity will revert back to more 3:2 tables to gin up more action.

 

On the Edge 7/24 they were still all 6:5, particularly at night the casino had a lot of action

[At5920Feet]

Apex had 3:2 BJ in June on $25+

[NutsAboutGolf]

11 minutes ago, At5920Feet said:

Apex had 3:2 BJ in June on $25+

 

To be clear, was this a dedicated table or can you go to any table, bet $20 and receive 6:5 or bet $25+ and receive 3:2?

[AmazedByCruising]

On 2/8/2020 at 10:11 PM, Davidson10 said:

 

Can you provide the source for your statement ?   I'm actually surprised a casino with less than 20 tables is, "one of the biggest money maker for a cruise ship".

 

What I heard on these forums is that many people simply want to have a Casino on board. It doesn't add much to revenue and uses a lot of very expensive space, and needs trained crew that needs to sleep and eat as well.

 

The 6/5 BJ payout is nice for the house, but I guess the real edge on ships is from players who just want to get as close to 21 as possible without even looking at which card the dealer has. 

[CalTexCruiser]

12 minutes ago, AmazedByCruising said:

 

The 6/5 BJ payout is nice for the house, but I guess the real edge on ships is from players who just want to get as close to 21 as possible without even looking at which card the dealer has. 

 

True statement.

 

I was on the Eclipse with a tour group of 500+ passengers from Hong Kong, who randomly hit or stayed on their hands regardless of basic strategy.  I saw different such players stand on a SOFT 6 (A-5) when the dealer was showing a 10.  

 

I wanted to say some choice words, but relegated to muttering ***** to myself a few times.

[NutsAboutGolf]

32 minutes ago, AmazedByCruising said:

 

What I heard on these forums is that many people simply want to have a Casino on board. It doesn't add much to revenue and uses a lot of very expensive space, and needs trained crew that needs to sleep and eat as well.

 

Fares are the #1 source of revenue for a cruise line but the casino is #2, this is why if you gamble enough you receive free cruises.  Also the rules/pay tables aren't as favorable to players compared to land based casinos, slots payback rate is around 80% while land based can be closer to 90%.  If a ship is ever late leaving port, they generally go full throttle so they can open the casino ASAP.

[AmazedByCruising]

7 minutes ago, CalTexCruiser said:

 

True statement.

 

I was on the Eclipse with a tour group of 500+ passengers from Hong Kong, who randomly hit or stayed on their hands regardless of basic strategy.  I saw different such players stand on a SOFT 6 (A-5) when the dealer was showing a 10.  

 

I wanted to say some choice words, but relegated to muttering ***** to myself a few times.

 

The best thing about BJ tables is that the game itself is such a nice conversation starter. A soft 16 cannot get worse, so zero risk to simply say so and I do. Doubling and splitting tens, not so much 🙂 

[AmazedByCruising]

6 minutes ago, NutsAboutGolf said:

Fares are the #1 source of revenue for a cruise line but the casino is #2, this is why if you gamble enough you receive free cruises.

 

No it's certainly not #2. It's similar to specialty restaurants that cost more than the extra charge. Some people won't pay the fare when there are no extra restaurants, and some people won't cruise because they feel a proper cruise has a casino.

 

For many, buying unlimited drinks is a good deal at let's say $60 per day, of which the actual cost is maybe $5. Imagine how many people you need to be gambling 24hr/day to earn that kind of money. They wouldn't even fit in the casino.

[At5920Feet]

2 hours ago, NutsAboutGolf said:

 

To be clear, was this a dedicated table or can you go to any table, bet $20 and receive 6:5 or bet $25+ and receive 3:2?

It was table-based for tables with a minimum bet of $25 or higher. 

[At5920Feet]

1 hour ago, CalTexCruiser said:

 

True statement.

 

I was on the Eclipse with a tour group of 500+ passengers from Hong Kong, who randomly hit or stayed on their hands regardless of basic strategy.  I saw different such players stand on a SOFT 6 (A-5) when the dealer was showing a 10.  

 

I wanted to say some choice words, but relegated to muttering ***** to myself a few times.

I like Asia cruises and saw this too- on multiple RCL cruises from HKG and Singapore, and in their land casinos. Hit/stand seemed to be entirely random based on feeling; and sometimes players would even double a hard bust hand when they felt lucky- (and they sometimes won!).  Maybe a cultural gambling norm, but i like the typical basic strategy play and was frustrated like you until i let it go and just enjoyed the spectacle. 

 

It seemed 90% in the casino were spectators only, or would only bet behind another player. Had some funny experiences with that. 🙂

 

That aside, travel is indeed wonderful- so many unexpected surprises from different cultures is what makes it memorable.

[miched]

I could never understand why people would pay money to cruise and then spend a lot of time in the casino that has very bad odds.   You want to play in a casino do it on land.  
 

My SIL spends all of her time on board in a casino and then brags about getting free cruises because of her play. I don’t know how much she spends but I am sure it is more that what a cruise would cost. 
 

We only play in the casino to “cash in” our OBC.   We don’t want or need to buy anything and don’t like taking tours thru the ship.   Other than a dinner give me the cash if I can get it 

 

Happy cruising 🌊🚢🇺🇸🌅

[Fly and Sail]

14 minutes ago, miched said:

My SIL spends all of her time on board in a casino and then brags about getting free cruises because of her play. I don’t know how much she spends but I am sure it is more that what a cruise would cost.

 

I wouldn't be so sure about that. You can get free cruises with just a few thousand dollars coin in and that's easily accomplished with a couple hundred bucks if you're disciplined.

 

As you mentioned it can even be done with OBC.

[mayleeman]

16 hours ago, miched said:

You want to play in a casino do it on land.  

 

Some of us don't live very close to land casinos. We could drive for 4 to 6 hours, but that isn't very relaxing or fun since the casino then is the only thing to do there. On a ship, I get to stop in and see if there is any fun action at a craps table, or maybe a single zero roulette table with reasonable minimums, maybe a video poker with attractive options, or a slot machine worth a few bucks. I can play for a few minutes and walk out if it isn't going well, then go have many hours of fun doing other things.

 

Like other things I enjoy that I have to pay for, I realize that gambling may cost some money. I would have to be an idiot to think I have to win to have a good time. It is great when you beat the house...if not, well, maybe next time!

Edited August 3, 2021 by mayleeman

[George C]

I prefer ships casino , in Oklahoma they are a ripoff they charge you 50 cents to play any board game. My wife hit a thousand dollar jackpot playing video poker and then a 300 jackpot on slot machine, one of the few cruises we had more money when we left the ship then when we boarded . 

[Fly and Sail]

For those who asked here are three pictures of the BJ Tables (taken on board the Millennium while it was shut down during port day).

 

 

[NutsAboutGolf]

Here's a strange dynamic, if you play table games, you can't even see your tier points/theo/adt/actuals until you see the host at the last night of the cruise.  She then calculates what she's willing to comp back, based on theo or actuals.  I walked away with a pretty penny, received back end comps based on my theo.  My buddy doubled down into obviation and the host said she'll need to comp based on actuals.  Since you can't check your tier points/status online, you have to call three days later, we both call, I made amethyst but the BCC rep told him since the host based it on actuals, he only receives tier points based on actuals and the rep told him had she based it on theo he would have had 31K points and therefore would have been amethyst.  I have never heard tier points being based on actuals, has anyone else?  Something to keep in mind at the end, you may have a choice.

[Fly and Sail]

The BCC website says (afaik) it's based on average daily THEO when it comes to table games.

 

Here's another thing I was wondering about:

 

This cruise is paid for by MGM Mlife and I have just dilly dallied around on the slots this time, made ~ 2510 points which is a drop in the bucket, I think I'm at minus $100 right now.

 

Am I even eligible to earn BCC points when sailing on a MGM cruise? Because latest was that FC isn't reporting any play to MLife anymore. If so I want at least my (worthless) Onyx with BCC. I doubt that they are going to comp me anything. Host is friendly though especially after I gave him a casino ticket I found in the elevator. It wasn't a fortune but it didn't feel right to just redeem it.

[Unlvswezel]

49 minutes ago, NutsAboutGolf said:

Here's a strange dynamic, if you play table games, you can't even see your tier points/theo/adt/actuals until you see the host at the last night of the cruise.  She then calculates what she's willing to comp back, based on theo or actuals.  I walked away with a pretty penny, received back end comps based on my theo.  My buddy doubled down into obviation and the host said she'll need to comp based on actuals.  Since you can't check your tier points/status online, you have to call three days later, we both call, I made amethyst but the BCC rep told him since the host based it on actuals, he only receives tier points based on actuals and the rep told him had she based it on theo he would have had 31K points and therefore would have been amethyst.  I have never heard tier points being based on actuals, has anyone else?  Something to keep in mind at the end, you may have a choice.

Couple of comments/ questions. 1, the $25 and $50 tables were 3:2 on the edge last week. I was playing $50 a hand on the $15 hit a blackjack and the dealer told me I should go play the $25, otherwise I never would have known.

 

2.How did you mind your tier and get comps? I asked a couple of time and they told me they wouldn’t be able to figure it out until later this week. Based on my play I should be at least an amethyst, but think I should hit Saphire.  Called the BCC and they said they won’t have anything for a couple of weeks.

3. Congrats on your winning week, hope you had a great time!