Honest cruise ship games?

[Scuba]

Hello everyone and happy holidays!

I was just wondering if anyone had thoughts about the honesty of cruise ship blackjack games. I know the rules tend to be crappy and they often have csms and such, making many of the games unplayable.

But assuming you can find say an 8 deck game with 3-2 payouts, can we be reasonably confident that the games are fair games, dealt with complete decks?

I know in the states in Vegas, Atlantic City, Pennsylvania and such, the games are regulated by the state governments so we can be reasonably confident we are being dealt a fair game.

But is there any similar regulatory scheme on cruise ship companies sailing out of the United States? Or is it theoretically the wild west since you are out in the sea?

[ZenMaster_Flash]

At least one of the popular Cruise Lines has brass plaques
on the walls to serve as a warning to Card Counters that
their money can be confiscated.

[Scuba]

Oh gees, then a fair game may be the least of my problems!

[TweezerReprise]

Of the many cruises I’ve been on, I have specifically walked through the casinos on 3 cruises with R@oyal, as they are opening up, just after sail aways on the first evening and I have never seen them spread cards. The shoes come out with cards already in them. I’ve never seen news cards spread during a cruise.

I have seen dealers count the cards upon closing down tables late at night over the years but this was inconsistent and always face down, simply checking for a miscount and not specific cards.

On a cruise in November, all BJ games under $25 min are now paying 6:5. I planned to Wong into the $25 game but the players seemed to bust out so quickly that the game would nearly stop. I’ve never seen BJ tables so quiet on a cruise.

On a plus, I came across my first ever HC opportunity, catching 3 cards in 10 minutes. But when my $60 BJ did not pay $90, this was when I realized the felt had changed from my last cruise and I got up. I had never in my life played a 6:5 game and I felt like I had committed an unforgivable sin... It wasn’t quite that dramatic but I definitely felt like a fool for not noticing the change.

They weren’t willing to lower the min on the dead $25 3:2 table during off-peak times so off I went.

[Jack Jackson]

At least one of the popular Cruise Lines has brass plaques
on the walls to serve as a warning to Card Counters that
their money can be confiscated.

I dont understand this..Who or What are they to say what can or cannot be proven in determining who or who's not a card counter? I mean, is that even legaL?

[21forme]

I dont understand this..Who or What are they to say what can or cannot be proven in determining who or who's not a card counter? I mean, is that even legaL?

They can do whatever they want. They have no regulatory authority once in international waters.

I know one AP who had his winnings confiscated and they returned only his initial buy-in. This was on one of those day cruises from SC. When he made a fuss, they threatened to lock him up until the ship returned to port.

I was on a cruise 8-10 years ago (either NCL or RC), and I was warned to count the shoe down multiple times before playing. Every shoe ended in a significantly positive count when the cut card came out.

Beware!

[Joe Mama]

Was on a cruise recently, table games were all poor so I did not play. Found another opportunity that took about ten minutes to exploit for ~$100 (pretty close to EV). Since I'm already there, I will take opportunity to scout.

[ZenMaster_Flash]

I am not so much cynical as I am skeptical,

but . . .

trusting Native American enterprises

and trusting International Cruise Lines

. . . always comes with extra risk.

[ZenMaster_Flash]

+1 to 21forme.


Pay heed.

"Forewarned is forearmed."

"A word to the Wise is Sufficient."

etc.

Z M F says ~ Need I say more?

[hitthat16]

I was on a RC ship in October. There were $15 and $25 8 deck 3:2 games. Mins below $15 were 6:5.

The casino crew members wash and shuffle the cards at the tables a couple hours before the casino opens. I did not watch this process closely.

[Scuba]

Thanks for the help fellas. Maybe I'll do a little wonging here and there if I can just for practice.

Hopefully they'll have deal or no deal!

[Frank Galvin]

They can do whatever they want. They have no regulatory authority once in international waters.

I know one AP who had his winnings confiscated and they returned only his initial buy-in. This was on one of those day cruises from SC. When he made a fuss, they threatened to lock him up until the ship returned to port.

I was on a cruise 8-10 years ago (either NCL or RC), and I was warned to count the shoe down multiple times before playing. Every shoe ended in a significantly positive count when the cut card came out.

Beware!

+1

As one who used to go on cruise ships with my better half, 2-3 times per year, let me tell you that wonging is not an option. Most blackjack games are dealt from CSM or 8 deck shoes; H17; NS; 3:2 / 6:5; DAS; Spread to 4 hands; Aces get 1 card (no doubling or re-splitting); Pen 66-75% (at best); and taking Insurance is very closely monitored.

If you have nothing else to do onboard (that was my dilemna), and you want to play at best a marginal game, then go for it. But don't expect any significant +EV.

Always worried that they would back me off, and then make me walk the plank. ARGHHHHH.

[Jack Jackson]

They can do whatever they want. They have no regulatory authority once in international waters.

I know one AP who had his winnings confiscated and they returned only his initial buy-in. This was on one of those day cruises from SC. When he made a fuss, they threatened to lock him up until the ship returned to port.

I was on a cruise 8-10 years ago (either NCL or RC), and I was warned to count the shoe down multiple times before playing. Every shoe ended in a significantly positive count when the cut card came out.

Beware!

Kudos!