Staying with one machine is financial suicide! I have played slot machines
( pennies, nickles and quarters) for many years whenever I have had an opportunity to visit a casino. There aren't any here in Texas.
If I play a machine four or five times without getting anything back I leave it. If I get ahead on a machine and then play it a few more times, losing each time, I take my winnings and go somewhere else. I gamble as a minnow not a whale, but I do it for fun, and usually come out a bit ahead. Over the last 20 years or so, I am about $1000 ahead and have enjoyed myself.
Staying with one machine is financial suicide! I have played slot machines
( pennies, nickles and quarters) for many years whenever I have had an opportunity to visit a casino. There aren't any here in Texas.
Not entirely true. Texas does have the Lucky Eagle in Eagle Pass (Kickapoo Reservation). Not very 'Vegas like' from what I've heard... Most I know head to Kenner LA, or just across the border in OK.
On the original question, I've never dropped a dime in a cruise ship casino. So that makes me "even", which is better than most cruise ship gamblers have done.... I hate losing a lot more than not playing...
The biggest problem with slots is you can never know what the house percentage is. On the other “big three” we can be precise. The house percentage is 5.26% at roulette and 1.414% on the come bet at craps. The house edge at blackjack depends on the rules and the skill of the player. The “basic strategy” player is usually looking at a house edge of less than 1%, and closer to ½% with good rules.
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2004 Alaska
2005 Panama Canal
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2007 E. Caribbean
2007 N. Atlantic
2008 Alaska
2008 S. America
2009 Grand Voyage
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2011 Grand Voyage
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2013 Hawaii - S. Pacific
I was told that they alter the odds during the cruise, you are less likely to win as the cruise progresses....
I have done on the last evening of a cruise twice. Once on the Carvival Liberty and another time on the Celebrity Solstice.
I don't stick with a particular slot machine. If I am not doing well I move on. I have done better on land than on the sea.
TM
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CRUISES
Century 4/1998
Mercury 4/2000+4/2006+7/2007
Sensation 4/2002
Infinity 4/2003
Summit 4/2004+4/2005
Carnival Liberty New Year's Eve 2007
Liberty of the Seas 5/2008+11/2009
Solstice 4/2009
Oasis 4/2010+4/13/2013
Allure 1/16/ 2011
Equinox 4/11/2011
Independence of the Seas 12/29/2013 Top-notch!
Yes, most people lose, but there are allways some winners.
TM
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CRUISES
Century 4/1998
Mercury 4/2000+4/2006+7/2007
Sensation 4/2002
Infinity 4/2003
Summit 4/2004+4/2005
Carnival Liberty New Year's Eve 2007
Liberty of the Seas 5/2008+11/2009
Solstice 4/2009
Oasis 4/2010+4/13/2013
Allure 1/16/ 2011
Equinox 4/11/2011
Independence of the Seas 12/29/2013 Top-notch!
I was told that they alter the odds during the cruise, you are less likely to win as the cruise progresses....
This is unlikely. I used to work at a casino. It is quite a process to change out the odds on a machine, it requires changing a chip. You might be able to do this on the new sever based machines but I don't think they have those on board ships yet.
The problem with knowing the payback on the machines is that the casinos are not really regulated by any agency. The casinos are loosely "overseen" since 1999 by an organization called the International Council of Cruise Lines (ICCL), whose members include most of the cruise lines. In terms of facilities and equipment, the ICCL guidelines call for all equipment purchased and installed on cruise vessels to "meet the regulatory standards of the Nevada Gaming Control Board or other licensed jurisdiction for payback and internal software."
I have played in the casino on the NCL Dawn. It seemed the slots paid back about as much as most casinos. The odds on the tables were not so good.
I don't play the slots - I play the blackjack tables. Even if losing, I will stick with a table if the tablemates and the dealer are personable. There is nothing I hate more than losing money to a grumpy dealer or grumpy table. There is no point in giving my money away if I am not having fun. I will also leave a table if there are smokers there, even if I am winning.
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Royal Oasis of the Seas - 2013 {pending}
Disney Fantasy - 2013
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Royal Freedom of the Seas - 2011
HAL Eurodam - 2011
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Carnival Dream - 2010
Grand Princess - 2002
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Royal Sovereign of the Seas - 1999
Carnival Ecstacy - 1991
Its all depend on the mood dear. Some time I spend my whole time in one game and try ti win it. And sometime I try as many as possible games I can. Its all depend on the interest in the game.
I was told that they alter the odds during the cruise, you are less likely to win as the cruise progresses....
That is a "Cruise Myth". The machines are standalone and not connected to a server or programmable from outside the machine. The only way to change the "odds" on a machine is to change the EPROM chip in the machine. It is programmed for XX% payout. I know this does happen from time to time but it isn't something they do on a regular basis. It usually happens when word gets out that one machine has a higher payout. They will swap EPROMS from that machine to another. Also, if a casino says that their machines payout 94%, that's great, but that is the "average". You can have one machine paying out 99% and another paying out at 89% and still average 94%. The 99% is going to be in a bad location.
You hear about more wins at the end of the cruise because they announce them to get more business. On Carnival Breeze they were announcing "Mrs. X won $240" on the Hoity Toity Slots. I really just remember the $240 because, to me, that isn't announcement worthy.
Me: I stick with Blackjack. However, the cruise lines now have auto-shuffle machines and "gimmick games" that weigh the odds more in the house's favor. In a regular, six deck shoe, Blackjack game the odds are about 97 - 98% payback. That's if you play by the book and start with 20X the table minimum. Some of the new games like "Fun 21" make the payout around 92%. Not too fun.
I also like a fun table and will leave if there are grumpy players or dealer. Or people who just play dumb. Like splitting tens and faces or hitting on 17. On the Carnival Breeze one person was doing that with the dealer showing a face card. I know that with an eight deck, auto shuffler, it makes little difference to the odds but it just bugs me. I also don't like it when someone sets down at a smoking table, which there are very few anymore, and then complains about the smoke.
Have fun and take care,
Mike
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"There is a great difference between being well traveled and just having been to many places." ~Me
Playing slots is an amazing way to get fun and enjoyment. Slots is an interesting game and people really love to play this game for earning huge money. I have also played this game many times.
The biggest problem with slots is you can never know what the house percentage is. On the other “big three” we can be precise. The house percentage is 5.26% at roulette and 1.414% on the come bet at craps. The house edge at blackjack depends on the rules and the skill of the player. The “basic strategy” player is usually looking at a house edge of less than 1%, and closer to ½% with good rules.
zdgp has it right regarding roulette. And it does not matter how you play, even/odd, one number, combination of numbers or wherever you put your chips the pay back is 94.7% in all casinos w/American tables.
As far as odds w/slots, ships do not pay as high as Vegas, they don't have any competition. Machines that typically pay the most are ones visible to the public, for instance at ends of aisles and entrances to the casino.
O F C'er
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Experiences over the years enabled me to have all the answers, but not necessarily corresponding with your questions.
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Playing the slots
I know that with an eight deck, auto shuffler, it makes little difference to the odds but it just bugs me. I also don't like it when someone sets down at a smoking table, which there are very few anymore, and then complains about the smoke.
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