Video Poker on the Nieuw Amsterdam

[Balliett]

All new machines in the casino.  The entire ship looks brand new.  We sailed (Jim and Grace) on a casino offer.  I think on our last HAL cruise we earned about 700 points each on a one week cruise.  This rewarded  us 200-250 each in free play on this cruise, and cabin offers at random times ever since.  If you gambled on a HAL trip in the past, do check with the casino cashier next cruise.  You never know if there will be freepay in your account. 

 

           So the best VP I found was Jacks or Better Bonus poker, which pays back 96.87% assuming five coins and perfect play.  The schedule is the same for dimes, quarters, or dollars. Games on the twelve VP machines include  Spin Poker, Supertimes, etc.  Two changes:  Drinks are free, good drinks, for those gambling, only while gambling.  Ask a manager and he or she will put a sticker on your room card, which doubles as your casino card.  Also, you can load money into the machine from your room account!  No way this could be a problem?  You can also use cash.   If you happen to make a profit the cashier will pay you in cash on the last day.  

 

         We played a lot and didn't get trimmed too badly.  Now we're home and will see if we get any generous offers for next year.  

[msmayor]

Thank you for this information - the Video Poker is the only machine my husband and I play in the casino and Jacks of Better is my game of choice.  We're usually table-players.

 

Our last HAL cruise in fall 2019 we were able to load the cash from our room account - I was very happy to learn that could be done without any fees.  We had sought a marker, but discovered during the process that it was quite easy to get it from the room account.  Meant we didn't have to carry a lot of cash.

 

 

[DaveOKC]

12 hours ago, Balliett said:

All new machines in the casino.  The entire ship looks brand new.  We sailed (Jim and Grace) on a casino offer.  I think on our last HAL cruise we earned about 700 points each on a one week cruise.  This rewarded  us 200-250 each in free play on this cruise, and cabin offers at random times ever since.  If you gambled on a HAL trip in the past, do check with the casino cashier next cruise.  You never know if there will be freepay in your account. 

 

           So the best VP I found was Jacks or Better Bonus poker, which pays back 96.87% assuming five coins and perfect play.  

What was the payout schedule for Jacks or Better BONUS and did you have to play 5 or 10 coins to get the jackpot?  We like 8/5 (Full house/flush) payouts but 7/5 is acceptable IMO.  Of course, 2 pair must pay 2 times payouts.

[Balliett]

The Jacks or Better Bonus payout did pay 2 for 2 pair.  Unfortunately, no 8/5 or 7/5.  You do have to play five coins for the Royal Flush jackpot.  That is for $1000 playing quarters, or $400 playing dimes.

[Roger88]

17 hours ago, msmayor said:

Thank you for this information - the Video Poker is the only machine my husband and I play in the casino and Jacks of Better is my game of choice.  We're usually table-players.

 

Our last HAL cruise in fall 2019 we were able to load the cash from our room account - I was very happy to learn that could be done without any fees.  We had sought a marker, but discovered during the process that it was quite easy to get it from the room account.  Meant we didn't have to carry a lot of cash.

 

 

When I go to Casino on board the ship, Iusually avoid live tables. I prefer to be on my own and not to communicate with other people. Playing with the machines is more than enough for me. Maybe next time I play Poker I will go on a live table. 

[DaveOKC]

10 hours ago, Balliett said:

The Jacks or Better Bonus payout did pay 2 for 2 pair.  Unfortunately, no 8/5 or 7/5.  You do have to play five coins for the Royal Flush jackpot.  That is for $1000 playing quarters, or $400 playing dimes.

6/5 Bonus is not THAT bad IMO and I would play it.  I sure miss the old 8/5 payout schedules for Bonus poker!  You do have to remember that you are not playing for a long period of time (in most cases), so the lower payout is not as big a deal.  I do like the 5 coins Jackpot.

 

 

Edited August 30, 2021 by DaveOKC

[Balliett]

Come visit our Las Vegas.  We have many 8/5 Bonus machines, including five at Silverton Resort.  You can find lists at vpfree2.com   

[DaveOKC]

3 hours ago, Balliett said:

Come visit our Las Vegas.  We have many 8/5 Bonus machines, including five at Silverton Resort.  You can find lists at vpfree2.com   

We used to hit Vegas once a month when even the Strip properties had 8/5 Bonus and even better 9/6 Jacks or Better.  Caesars was our favorite stop back then - played all day on less than $100 and ended with with comped rooms, food, and of course drinks.  Plus other freebies as well.  Really miss those days from 15-20 years ago.

 

Nowadays, we are not interested in going back - too expensive and you get nickel and dimed for everything it seems.  Too many better options IMO.

 

 

Edited August 30, 2021 by DaveOKC

[loeb]

4 hours ago, DaveOKC said:

We used to hit Vegas once a month when even the Strip properties had 8/5 Bonus and even better 9/6 Jacks or Better.  Caesars was our favorite stop back then - played all day on less than $100 and ended with with comped rooms, food, and of course drinks.  Plus other freebies as well.  Really miss those days from 15-20 years ago.

 

Nowadays, we are not interested in going back - too expensive and you get nickel and dimed for everything it seems.  Too many better options IMO.

 

 

 

[loeb]

we use to go to LV six times a year, but not any more.  Went in June 2021, on the strip minimum bet's were $50 on blackjack and other table games as well as the crap table.  Agree that you get nickeled and dimed for everything.  I left a comment at one casino and said that LV has to change their strategy or no way that most gamblers can afford to play