Tell me the secrets of the casino

[keels81]

On 12/24/2021 at 3:36 PM, cruisingguy007 said:

 

Unless bubble craps. "Come on, push the button! Hurry up mofo! I said push the button!" gets old after while. Getting yelled at constantly by the virtual chick and other slow players can be annoying but it is a great way to slow play and make your play stretch or when you go on a bad run and can't catch a break at the tables. 😄  

Currently in Vegas where the table minimums where I’m at have yet to go below $50 — and I’d like to profess my undying love for Bubble Craps AND casino floors that allow you to adjust the volume on said Bubble Craps.

[Calnev1]

2 hours ago, keels81 said:

Currently in Vegas where the table minimums where I’m at have yet to go below $50 — and I’d like to profess my undying love for Bubble Craps AND casino floors that allow you to adjust the volume on said Bubble Craps.

You need to find another Vegas casino my friend.

 

https://lasvegasthenandnow.com/where-to-find-the-cheapest-craps-in-vegas/

[keels81]

2 hours ago, Calnev1 said:

You need to find another Vegas casino my friend.

 

https://lasvegasthenandnow.com/where-to-find-the-cheapest-craps-in-vegas/

Nah. I’m comped at the Wynn, so I’m good.

[travelplus]

All machines are Bluetooth enabled 😁

[muggo11]

We are going on 4 comped cruises in 2022. To Mexico, Alaska, Panama Canal and a Trans-Atlantic. All balconies. 45 days of cruising for taxes and fees totalling less than $3000.  I play BJ, Ultimate Texas Hold ‘Em and video poker. 
 

Every night I take a set amount to the casino—generally $3-500 depending on length of the cruise. If I lose it, I am done for the night. If i get ahead 50% (my win limit), I go to the pursers desk and put the winnings towards my bill. I never lose more than what I have budgeted for gambling AND on more than 1 occasion, have walked off the ship with zero for a bill and cash in my pocket. It is ALL about money management, discipline and knowing how to play optimum strategy for the games you play. 
 

Good luck. . .not a craps player but it always looks like fun.  

[cruisingguy007]

22 hours ago, Calnev1 said:

You need to find another Vegas casino my friend.

 

https://lasvegasthenandnow.com/where-to-find-the-cheapest-craps-in-vegas/

 

Cheap crap tables ($5 tables) are nearly extinct on the strip proper. They can be found in a few locations at varying times but those are few and far between on the strip. Downtown and surrounding areas and locals casinos offer abundant cheap tables, but on the strip proper, bubble craps IS the only cheap craps table.   

[BlerkOne]

15 hours ago, muggo11 said:

. It is ALL about money management, discipline and knowing how to play optimum strategy for the games you play. 
 

Good luck. . .not a craps player but it always looks like fun.  

 

You summed it up well - it takes good luck - the 4th variable interwoven in the others. I limit my losses, but don't limit my winnings. Expected value says you will lose, but when you don't, make 'em pay.

[cruisingguy007]

On 12/26/2021 at 3:49 PM, keels81 said:

Currently in Vegas where the table minimums where I’m at have yet to go below $50 — and I’d like to profess my undying love for Bubble Craps AND casino floors that allow you to adjust the volume on said Bubble Craps.

 

That's no bueno for me, love Vegas but the gaming conditions have gotten ridiculous on the strip. They aren't even attempting to hide the greed any longer or even ply patrons with plentiful complimentary cocktail service to both encourage and sooth the emptying of wallets/purses. Takes ages to get a drink and table minimums are ridiculous. High table minimums are more harmful to aggressive craps players who like to set up a lot of positions. You can't do that with high minimums so people stick to pass-line bets and basics. Well, you can, if you have the funds and aren't risk averse to the inevitable wipe outs. A single $10 bet or even $20 is much different than running 6-7 positions.            

Edited December 28, 2021 by cruisingguy007

[rcandv]

On 12/23/2021 at 12:04 PM, Colorado Beach Bum said:

And guaranteed not to win 😀

I play Three Card Poker and on two cruises that we have been on, I’ve paid my sail and sign account with my winnings and then some. I hear that the slots on cruises are tighter on payouts than slots at actual casinos. 

[BlerkOne]

1 hour ago, rcandv said:

. I hear that the slots on cruises are tighter on payouts than slots at actual casinos. 

True

[NutsAboutGolf]

12 hours ago, rcandv said:

I play Three Card Poker and on two cruises that we have been on, I’ve paid my sail and sign account with my winnings and then some. I hear that the slots on cruises are tighter on payouts than slots at actual casinos. 

 

(highlight is true) but also note pay tables aren't as good as ships and you accrue comps slower compared to most land based casinos...

[jerseygirlinAZ]

Not entirely related, but my husband and I just returned from Vegas last night and found tables at Bellagio, New York New York, and Mirage for $15 min.  

 

Our gambling experience is similar to others who have posted.  Husband no longer plays the table games on Carnival (even though that is his preference at land casinos) because the comps just don't add up as fast as they do with the slot play.  

[keels81]

20 hours ago, cruisingguy007 said:

 

That's no bueno for me, love Vegas but the gaming conditions have gotten ridiculous on the strip. They aren't even attempting to hide the greed any longer or even ply patrons with plentiful complimentary cocktail service to both encourage and sooth the emptying of wallets/purses. Takes ages to get a drink and table minimums are ridiculous. High table minimums are more harmful to aggressive craps players who like to set up a lot of positions. You can't do that with high minimums so people stick to pass-line bets and basics. Well, you can, if you have the funds and aren't risk averse to the inevitable wipe outs. A single $10 bet or even $20 is much different than running 6-7 positions.            

 

Cocktail service was terrible this past week, so I didn't even bother -- in the past, I'd be hesitant to walk away from a hot table (or even a warm one, tbh) and this past weekend, I did all the time. Plus, I was able to get better cocktails or wine offerings at a real bar for far less than what I was likely to lose at the table.

 

For the way I play, $50 minimum is just not feasible for my bankroll over the course of three days. And frankly, it's not that fun. But that's on me because I chose not to leave Wynn/Encore this weekend.

 

Anyway! Neither here nor there, but back to the OP -- I never really got any offers on CCL until right after my August cruise on the Magic. My husband played tables, but I'd play the slots at about 60-90 minutes at a time roughly 3-5 times a day (when the casino was open). Maybe a little bit of video poker if the machines were open/available, but not much more than that. I'd cash my winnings at the end of the night and put the cash from the cage towards my Sign & Sail account. And then the next day, I'd start all over again with an arbitrary amount (lets say, $100). 

 

I hit just short of a handpay on our last sea day, and after dinner that night I had a gift box in my stateroom from the Carnival Players Club. Almost immediately after that, I started getting casino offers.

 

I didn't start getting the GOOD ones until after the Mardi Gras in October -- I was traveling with two girlfriends, one who doesn't drink, so we didn't do Cheers and I opted to save up to pay for drinks out of pocket. The first night, I played slots and got a win of around $770 and I left that in my "Casino Bank". I also used my Sign & Sail to fund my initial bankroll versus my traditional way of cash. Later that session, I got a "handpay". On Day 6, I cashed it all out at the cage and took it to Guest Services to pay my Sign & Sail balance (which, because I felt like a baller for winning was pretty hefty -- drinks, spa services, Chef's Table for three, Steakhouse for three, Sushi and Teppanyaki for three, Bingo, excursions, etc.). The Casino Host did comp us a dinner at Rudi's one night, which was nice -- but I think that was mostly because after I won, I didn't come back and play much other than small runs to just kill a little time. Fiscally, it wasn't worth it to me to give back the amount of $$ I'd won in pursuit of enough points for free drinks when the winnings would cover everything including drinks.

 

Now, I get emails daily and they're almost ALL free balcony, $500 FreePlay, drinks on us everywhere, $200+ OBC. Husband and I are going on the MG in July for $400 in a spa interior with Drinks on Us everywhere for both of us, $1000 in FreePlay, $500 in OBC.

 

So, I'm not saying that onboard spend plays into what offers you get -- but how you utilize your casino time, bankroll funding and winnings definitely does. And it seems that the easiest way to build up that automatic credit/attention is at a machine, since you can fund your gaming directly from putting your Sign & Sail card in the machine and it automatically tagging your account with your gaming activity and spend.

Edited December 28, 2021 by keels81

[DavonHuber]

On 12/28/2021 at 11:14 PM, keels81 said:

 

Cocktail service was terrible this past week, so I didn't even bother -- in the past, I'd be hesitant to walk away from a hot table (or even a warm one, tbh) and this past weekend, I did all the time. Plus, I was able to get better cocktails or wine offerings at a real bar for far less than what I was likely to lose at the table.

 

For the way I play, $50 minimum is just not feasible for my bankroll over the course of three days. And frankly, it's not that fun. But that's on me because I chose not to leave Wynn/Encore this weekend.

 

Anyway! Neither here nor there, but back to the OP -- I never really got any offers on CCL until right after my August cruise on the Magic. My husband played tables, but I'd play the slots at about 60-90 minutes at a time roughly 3-5 times a day (when the casino was open). Maybe a little bit of video poker if the machines were open/available, but not much more than that. I'd cash my winnings at the end of the night and put the cash from the cage towards my Sign & Sail account. And then the next day, I'd start all over again with an arbitrary amount (lets say, $100). 

 

I hit just short of a handpay on our last sea day, and after dinner that night I had a gift box in my stateroom from the Carnival Players Club. Almost immediately after that, I started getting casino offers.

 

I didn't start getting the GOOD ones until after the Mardi Gras in October -- I was traveling with two girlfriends, one who doesn't drink, so we didn't do Cheers and I opted to save up to pay for drinks out of pocket. The first night, I played slots and got a win of around $770 and I left that in my "Casino Bank". I also used my Sign & Sail to fund my initial bankroll versus my traditional way of cash. Later that session, I got a "handpay". On Day 6, I cashed it all out at the cage and took it to Guest Services to pay my Sign & Sail balance (which, because I felt like a baller for winning was pretty hefty -- drinks, spa services, Chef's Table for three, Steakhouse for three, Sushi and Teppanyaki for three, Bingo, excursions, etc.). The Casino Host did comp us a dinner at Rudi's one night, which was nice -- but I think that was mostly because after I won, I didn't come back and play much other than small runs to just kill a little time. Fiscally, it wasn't worth it to me to give back the amount of $$ I'd won in pursuit of enough points for free drinks when the winnings would cover everything including drinks.

 

Now, I get emails daily and they're almost ALL free balcony, $500 FreePlay, drinks on us everywhere, $200+ OBC. Husband and I are going on the MG in July for $400 in a spa interior with Drinks on Us everywhere for both of us, $1000 in FreePlay, $500 in OBC.

 

So, I'm not saying that onboard spend plays into what offers you get -- but how you utilize your casino time, bankroll funding and winnings definitely does. And it seems that the easiest way to build up that automatic credit/attention is at a machine, since you can fund your gaming directly from putting your Sign & Sail card in the machine and it automatically tagging your account with your gaming activity and spend.And addiction is the concept upon which business is based. The gambling business works very hard to ensure its visitors become particularly gullible and stay that way for as long as possible. It's also very hard to find a good platform, I play on https://1tangierscasino.com/mobile, and I like their newbie bonuses.

 

From a simple form of leisure, showed that gambling games often turn into an incurable addiction. Also, one study showed that fast music and red-colored lighting make people bet at a faster pace.

[hard_eight]

Headed to Vegas in a few weeks...staying on the strip, playing downtown or off strip. You can't play craps for fun at a level over $10 min. You're in $54 on basic play to 7 out. No thanks, hope they still have $2 at Binions 😆 

 

Wife plays the slots, thats how we get offers

[IntrepidFromDC]

On 12/23/2021 at 11:25 AM, gnocchi_mommy said:

The tables don’t seem to award points at a comparable value to the machines. My husband and I have mirror budgets, he plays tables and I play machines- I always get a lot of points and all the great offers. My theory is it’s because I lose more they want me to keep coming back 😅

I have the same mirror situation as you, my daughter plays slots and I play table games only.  Points are not awarded at table games at all; rather you get "rated".  That said, I always get free balcony offers with OBC plus casino cash while my daughter only gets free inside with casino cash offers.

[cruisingguy007]

4 hours ago, hard_eight said:

Headed to Vegas in a few weeks...staying on the strip, playing downtown or off strip. You can't play craps for fun at a level over $10 min. You're in $54 on basic play to 7 out. No thanks, hope they still have $2 at Binions 😆 

 

Wife plays the slots, thats how we get offers

 

Ellis island is the last holdout just off the strip proper and the best bet that's not too far. DT Grand and Plaza should be good to go and not too far. Then you have the locals places like Jerry's Nugget, Lucky Club, Cannery to the north or driving out east to spots like Club Fortune, Railroad Pass and others to really get down and dirty lol, lots of options the further you get away from the strip. Not so convenient though if you're staying on the strip. A lot of folks just stay downtown these days and forgo the strip entirely. Have a great trip!    

Edited October 14, 2022 by cruisingguy007

[buckeyefrank]

On 12/23/2021 at 7:01 PM, NutsAboutGolf said:

 

Slots on cruise ships have had an historically had a 80% "payback" average, usually land casinos are closer to 90% yet this may have changed since the pandemic.  You also gain far less comps dollar per dollar on a cruise compared to MOST land based casinos.

So $12,000 in the machines with a payback of $9600.  The $2400 loss gets you free drinks on the next cruise..   sounds like a good plan to me.. smh

[NutsAboutGolf]

9 minutes ago, buckeyefrank said:

So $12,000 in the machines with a payback of $9600.  The $2400 loss gets you free drinks on the next cruise..   sounds like a good plan to me.. smh

 

We all have our own risk tolerances and many are known to insert a hundred into a slot machine and lose it all within 5mins.

[BarbieGee]

2 hours ago, buckeyefrank said:

So $12,000 in the machines with a payback of $9600.  The $2400 loss gets you free drinks on the next cruise..   sounds like a good plan to me.. smh

Exactly....  what are you getting exactly?????

[Crusin Karen]

Ok this is kind of off topic but something I've always wondered about.  You talk about tipping but tipping doesn't give any advantage does it?  And, for example, roulette-if someone has won many times they'll give the "wheel spinner" afew chips as a tip.  Do they actually get to keep that or is it pooled?  

[emm126]

14 minutes ago, Crusin Karen said:

Ok this is kind of off topic but something I've always wondered about.  You talk about tipping but tipping doesn't give any advantage does it?  And, for example, roulette-if someone has won many times they'll give the "wheel spinner" afew chips as a tip.  Do they actually get to keep that or is it pooled?  

Tips in the casino are pooled. Does it give you an advantage, probably not but it is something I do. 

[DanOO]

2 hours ago, BarbieGee said:

Exactly....  what are you getting exactly?????

If you run $12,000 through the slots either with your money or money won you will get free cruise offers or very discounted offers with on board credit or casino credit.   Going on the Mardi Gras for new years and was given an Excel Suite at a discount and $1,000 on board credit.  On RCCL my last cruises in 2018 and 2019 I was given a Owners Suite and  added my Son as a third guest for less than an inside cabin.  Could I have just booked my Suites at regular rate and not gambled? Yes.

[notscb]

I didn't see this anywhere on the thread yet, but on another forum on CC folks have mentioned that if you need cash without ATM fees, the best way to do it is through the casino. Charge your room card and then cash out kind of thing. I wanted to mention this here to see if anyone has done this on Carnival or if this is line-specific (RCL).

[Crusin Karen]

35 minutes ago, notscb said:

I didn't see this anywhere on the thread yet, but on another forum on CC folks have mentioned that if you need cash without ATM fees, the best way to do it is through the casino. Charge your room card and then cash out kind of thing. I wanted to mention this here to see if anyone has done this on Carnival or if this is line-specific (RCL).

I think DH did this but there was still a $3 service charge.  This was few years ago so could be different now.