Casino rules?

[txsmiles]

I understand that on Carnival (and other) ships they play a "different version" of Blackjack, apparently called "Fun 21" and/or "Spanish 21"... does anybody know the rules to this game and/or to the 3-card poker that I've heard about?

 

My DH has a great time in Vegas, so I know he'll want to spend time (and our $$$) in the casino... I figure if we can get the playing rules we'll have something fun to learn while we wait for the weeks to pass until we board the Elation!

 

Thanks!

[vonniej51]

No I don't, but on every ship (usually the 1st sea day) have lessons for all table games, just check out the Capers for the time.

[CruiseReg]

Always verify specifics, as some casinos have been known to make variations, but this is a really good website that my wife recently found that has tons of gaming information:

 

http://www.wizardofodds.com

 

Very cool site, chock full of good information and some Java simulations of the games to teach strategy.

[coevan]

They have regular 21 as well. Fun 21 is dealer wins ties, 2/1 for black jack, cards are all up so you can hit a 19 if dealer has 20, stupid game all in house's favor. Stick to the regular 21 or craps, best odds for players

[Tom-n-Cheryl]

coevan, I think you may be confusing FUN21 with FACE-UP blackjack...

 

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I play FUN21 on EVERY cruise... I won last time ($2300).

 

They have "regular 21", "FUN21", and "Face-up"...

 

in FUN21:

:There are NO Queens in the deck!

:Players 21 (natural or drawn to) wins INSTANTLY - you do not wait to see what the dealer gets...if the dealer and you BOTH have blackjack after the deal, that is a tie...

:BJ pays 3:2

:5 (or more) card 21 pays (instantly) 3:2. There is no SUPER BONUS

:You can double down at any time

:You can split up to 4 hands

:You can double after split, surrender at any time

:When splitting aces, you can take more cards, if desired

:8 deck shoe, with about 2/3 penetration

: Dealer hits soft 17

:$5 minimum - $100 Max

 

 

Definitely go to the WIZARDOFODDS website and print the strategy for SPANISH21, as you will play some hands differently - and make the eyes roll of other clueless players at the table who are trying to use basic strategy there! Without the Queens, you will hit some hands (12-15) which you would otherwise STAND!!! Follow the strategy BLINDLY, and try to ignore your "gut"!

 

Tom

[txsmiles]

Thanks for the help and the great website!

[gsb]

think how much you would have won if you had played regular blackjack!

[Tom-n-Cheryl]

No, think how much I would have LOST... I ventured over to the STRAIGHT tables 3 times... and lost over, and over, and over (bust, bust, bust or stand and lose...) ... and yes, I was playing the correct strategy there!

 

I have, for some reason, always had more luck with the FUN21... plus I like the fact that when the timing is right I can maximize my winnings with the liberal splitting and doubling rules...and surrender when I need to bail out! It really is "more FUN"!

 

Tom

[gsb]

Good that you had good luck and fun. In the long run, regular will be a better bet. There's a reason they have the new varieties, and it's not to give us better odds.

[Tom-n-Cheryl]

Yes, I understand that statistically the regular is slightly more favorable... and in the long run, ALL games will take ALL our $... :D

 

I don't know why but my $ ALWAYS lasts longer at FUN21... with the regular 21 I will usually order a drink when I sit down, and have found myself STANDING up waiting for the drink to come...:rolleyes: go figure...

 

You don't have to fool me 10 times... I usually "get it" by the 8th or 9th...lol... in other words if I have lost SEVERAL in a row, I am walking - even though I know that each deal is a new independent chance...

 

Tom