Casino Tips, Tricks and Rewards

[D Alt]

What are your tips and tricks for the Casinos on board...other than great social fun.

Slot machines to avoid or try? 

Other fun machine games? (Scratch off, coin pusher, video poker, etc.) 

What perks or rewards can you get if you win? (free drinks, credits)

Learn to play- is it worth it if you already have a basic knowledge of games? you get 2 free drinks so it might be just for that. 

Tables - minimums to join? (Craps, Roulette, Texas Hold'em, Blackjack)

Anyone have any good stories?

[Matt]

The worst odds are the quarter machines where you drop quarters in and put pushes out money

[dodgestang]

Only go with money you can afford to lose ;).

I get a lot of free cruises.....but the free cruise perks haven't completely offset the 'down side' of gambling because they tweak the odds a little so big hits pay less.  I still have lotsa fun though

[Va4fam]

Definitely learn how to use the machines and maintain your Casino rewards account.  My wife and I rarely play slots but had a few minutes to kill before the comedy show and put in $20 each.  Not really winning or losing but when it was time to leave we logged out thinking the money went back to our account.  Nope, the money was still showing as credits on each machine and a sweet elderly couple immediately pounced on the machines and started playing with "free" money.  To make it worse, the lady hit for about $25 on her third try.  So I guess that's a fun story.....for them.

My preference is table games and the crew does a great job with the "learn to play" sessions.  

 

[ZuggsandMimi]

Well, what I heard from a friend who heard it from his brother, who heard it from his bookie, is that first thing you do when you get on the boat is go play the crane games.  OF course, I'm not a gambler so not sure they even have crane games in the casino.  They load them up with rolls of bills at the start of the cruise.  Easy picking?  I've never tried it, because, well, the casino isn't on the misses first places (or second, or third,or...) to check out upon embarkation.  

[Pattycruise]

Learn to play, where you get your $25 back in slots or chips and 2 drink tickets  is a great deal.   on my past 2 cruises learn to play was on the first night snd then at least one more night (if not two). if you come late no one tracks you. My last cruise left early and learn to play was adjusted (I didn’t know) and  so I thought I showed up 5 minutes early but I was 5 minutes from the end.  I walked over to the cashier window and asked for my learn to play chips and drink tickets and got them without issue.

[CrznTxn]

If you play the casinos enough you achieve Prime status which gives you free drinks while you play. My wife has that and it also gives us a lot of free cruise offers in the future. The points are cumulative so she did not have to gain the level all at once. We have a strict budget for the casino and sometimes it goes quickly and sometimes gives a return but I always expect to spend it. The amount is never more than what we would have spent on the cruise fare so we figure with the perks it is a good deal. Cannot say which machines are best but we NEVER play the coin pusher or the "key poke" machine. Never enough return and few if any points.

[Pattycruise]

I’ve not really gambled on ships.

august I did.  Then I sailed in September and thankfully met a knowledgeable gambler of RC  cruises.  I told her I’ve never gotten an offer from Casino Royale.  Turns out you cannot have other people associated with your email.  I have my email on my kids, husband and a friend.  So I’ve fixed that.  
i then went to casino royale log in and found a $300 voucher towards a cruise AND a free cruise. These needed to be redeemed by Oct 7!  
 

while I was playing a slot machine (I don’t typically do this) I saw a piece of paper on how to log into your account on the machine.  I had no idea this was “a thing”.  Well I had $206.  I asked the casino host how it got there, he had no idea.  I asked if it expired and he said it does by the end of the cruise, which was 2 days later!  So, figure out how to check your onboard account.

i don’t know  what else I need to learn!

[tonyfsu21]

Bet max on the wackiest machines in the casino that nobody dares play. I’m talking about the hello kitty machines or the Tabasco sauce machines or anything that does not attract people. The casino royale players club program is as disorganized as they come. Nobody (especially the land based reps) knows anything about it and two phone calls will yield opposite answers. With that being said, if you lay some cash on the table and gamble some money you may get some decent comps. Like many other players on this forum, I get some decent suites for what most people pay for balcony staterooms.

[Jill]

I think “casino” needs it’s own forum! So many tips/tricks etc

[CruiseGus]

21 hours ago, tonyfsu21 said:

Bet max on the wackiest machines in the casino that nobody dares play. I’m talking about the hello kitty machines or the Tabasco sauce machines or anything that does not attract people.

So please explain just what this tip does for you and how that maximizes your Casino Royal returns.

Thank you

[tonyfsu21]

2 hours ago, CruiseGus said:

So please explain just what this tip does for you and how that maximizes your Casino Royal returns.

Thank you

Just responding to one of the OP questions:

“What are your tips and tricks for the Casinos on board...other than great social fun. 

Slot machines to avoid or try? “

Thanks

[CruisingOz]

We enjoy a little time in the casino but please only spend what you can afford and do not play when you are really drunk. I have seen it too many times where people end up at guest services calling family or their bank. 

We are Prime level and so the perks are free drinks at the casino and free inside cabin sailing per year (need to pay fees and taxes and there are block out days like Presidents Day) 

My tips:

The slot machines accrue the most points, but can cost you more? When playing the tables, hand over cash, not chips. So if you win and go back the next day, cash out and start again. They seem to make a differance. Get to know the casino manager. If playing the tables, and have nice wins, small tips always go a long way. The dealers get to know you and if you are nice and interacting with them, there have been times when I ask them to bet or not bet, they may indicate what they would do. Even after a good run, it has been mentioned that I should call it a night, as perhaps the cards may not be favourable. 

So interact and have fun. We never go in with the intention of winning money, we set ourselves a budget and have fun for a few hours and more of a social event with others playing. 

 

[CruisingfromClayton]

On 10/6/2021 at 4:23 PM, Matt said:

The worst odds are the quarter machines where you drop quarters in and put pushes out money

Over the years, those machines became a regular "check point" for my husband and I to see if gravity helped drop a few coins when we played. Sometimes it represented the biggest win of our night in the casino! 

[leesam82]

I learned this from the casino host on the Allure of the Seas. She told me that rather than going to the cage or charging my room to charge a credit card to gamble with, that one should go up to a slot machine and use the credit card on the machine itself. Apparently this avoids some fees. I did not try this hack when I was on the allure, but family members i was traveling with did. I will ask them for a better explanation. 

Game wise, I usually stick to single deck blackjack. I try to play the $5 minimum. and then double up after a losing hand to cover up the previous loss. I've had luck and some success this way. This is a weird gambling habit of mine but on black jack i never come in in the middle of the deck. I always wait till the shoe is complete. Its just my superstation, but for the most part it has worked out for me.  

Another piece of advice for new gamblers is definitely go to the learn and play. This goes for any casino really. They are always more than happy to help you learn the game. 

[Va4fam]

On 10/6/2021 at 7:05 PM, Pattycruise said:

 Then I sailed in September and thankfully met a knowledgeable gambler of RC  cruises.  I told her I’ve never gotten an offer from Casino Royale.  Turns out you cannot have other people associated with your email.  I have my email on my kids, husband and a friend.  So I’ve fixed that.  
i then went to casino royale log in and found a $300 voucher towards a cruise AND a free cruise. These needed to be redeemed by Oct 7!  
 

while I was playing a slot machine (I don’t typically do this) I saw a piece of paper on how to log into your account on the machine.  I had no idea this was “a thing”.  Well I had $206.  I asked the casino host how it got there, he had no idea.  I asked if it expired and he said it does by the end of the cruise, which was 2 days later!  So, figure out how to check your onboard account.

 

I have never received any offers from Casino Royale either?  I think my wife and kids are all linked to my email with RCI.  Is it necessary to remove them from my account in order to get offers?  

[AshleyDillo]

3 hours ago, leesam82 said:

I learned this from the casino host on the Allure of the Seas. She told me that rather than going to the cage or charging my room to charge a credit card to gamble with, that one should go up to a slot machine and use the credit card on the machine itself. Apparently this avoids some fees. I did not try this hack when I was on the allure, but family members i was traveling with did. I will ask them for a better explanation. 

I do this all the time..basically just use the slot machine as an ATM even if I'm not gambling.  Through the menu when you insert your card you have the option to charge to your room.  There's no fee when you do this and it just goes onto your total onboard account as a charge.  The total onboard account at the end of the cruise goes to the credit card that you have on file. When you charge to your room it loads the money onto that particular slot machine. Then you can either play with it or cash it out and it prints out a ticket that you take to the redemption machine and cash in.

[CruiseGus]

17 minutes ago, AshleyDillo said:

I do this all the time..basically just use the slot machine as an ATM even if I'm not gambling.  Through the menu when you insert your card you have the option to charge to your room.  There's no fee when you do this and it just goes onto your total onboard account as a charge.  The total onboard account at the end of the cruise goes to the credit card that you have on file. When you charge to your room it loads the money onto that particular slot machine. Then you can either play with it or cash it out and it prints out a ticket that you take to the redemption machine and cash in.

 See if I get this correct,  Start with NOT a Prime Casino Royale player.

I can load a slot machine from my room account that is covered by my CC, and after playing a turn or 2 cash out whereby I receive a ticket with the amount of money i did not use.  I can then redeem that that ticket for cash at a kiosk or at the cage.  There is no service charge or convenience fee.

If I go directly to the cage and ask for money (or chips for that matter) there is a 5% convenience fee (waived if you have prime status)

[USCG Teacher]

For background, after I separated from the military, I worked at two Atlantic City casinos on the overnight shift as I worked through college.  Here is my biggest tip, and I cannot stress this enough.  If you are fortunate enough to hit a big jackpot, CLAIM YOUR WINNINGS AND WALK AWAY IMMEDIATELY. I have witnessed more self-destructive decision making after hitting big than I could possibly begin to explain.  Probably most egregious, I saw a 23 year old kid hit the progressive jackpot at a Caribbean Stud Poker table.  Just under $300K.  Immediately they comped the kid a suite, treated him and his friends as huge high rollers, offered him a private table with his own personal cocktail server, top shelf liquor, etc., etc.  Long story short, what started out as, "What the heck, I'm playing with house money, let's go ahead and enjoy this" ended up with him a few grand in the hole by the time the sun came up.  Casinos can be fun and entertaining as long as you play with what you plan to lose, but they're not built on winners.

[teddy]

23 minutes ago, USCG Teacher said:

For background, after I separated from the military

Mentioning the military made me remember the first and only time I have ever gambled.

I was a 19 year old Marine and my unit was sent to a Nellis AFB for a Red Flag exercise.  For whatever reason, the Air Force didn’t want the Marines to stay on base, so we were billeted in hotels not far from the Strip.  
 

The casino attached to the hotel let the Marines drink and gamble regardless of age.  I lost a lot of money that first night. It was a lesson I’ve never forgotten. I haven’t gambled since, not even a lottery ticket…and I’m in my 50s now. 

[Ampurp85]

2 hours ago, USCG Teacher said:

 CLAIM YOUR WINNINGS AND WALK AWAY IMMEDIATELY. 

I saw this happen in Vegas, I went solo for my 30th. Met a lady on the airplane celebrating her divorce, both staying at the Luxor and we hit it off. We decide to hang out, since we had similar plans. After dinner we hit the slots and I hit a $2300 mini jackpot and claimed my winnings. When I came back she had hit jackpot, a little over 100k. She told me she was going to cash out and meet me at the show, so I left for cirque du soleil Zumanity. She never showed, I assumed she was maybe shopping or met someone. Came back because it was my birthday and I felt lucky, she was still there and down to her last hundred dollars. She did hit another mini jackpot but I think it was less than $4k. I always pocket my wins and just play what I was comfortable losing....if I feel like playing more.

[GKMCruising]

4 hours ago, Ampurp85 said:

I saw this happen in Vegas, I went solo for my 30th. Met a lady on the airplane celebrating her divorce, both staying at the Luxor and we hit it off. We decide to hang out, since we had similar plans. After dinner we hit the slots and I hit a $2300 mini jackpot and claimed my winnings. When I came back she had hit jackpot, a little over 100k. She told me she was going to cash out and meet me at the show, so I left for cirque du soleil Zumanity. She never showed, I assumed she was maybe shopping or met someone. Came back because it was my birthday and I felt lucky, she was still there and down to her last hundred dollars. She did hit another mini jackpot but I think it was less than $4k. I always pocket my wins and just play what I was comfortable losing....if I feel like playing more.

I don't care if it's purely winnings or not - once you've won it, it's your money. Cash out and go home. I never spend anything more than my free play cash - some trips I wind up a few bucks richer, other times I walk out empty handed. But I guarantee you if I somehow got lucky enough to hit a jackpot with just the $6 on free play, I wouldn't keep going. 

 

[AshleyDillo]

On 10/8/2021 at 1:36 PM, CruiseGus said:

 See if I get this correct,  Start with NOT a Prime Casino Royale player.

I can load a slot machine from my room account that is covered by my CC, and after playing a turn or 2 cash out whereby I receive a ticket with the amount of money i did not use.  I can then redeem that that ticket for cash at a kiosk or at the cage.  There is no service charge or convenience fee.

If I go directly to the cage and ask for money (or chips for that matter) there is a 5% convenience fee (waived if you have prime status)

Correct..other than you don't have to play even one spin of it before cashing out and printing your ticket

I did a photo step by step when I was on Allure in September 2019.

 

[CruiseGus]

20 minutes ago, AshleyDillo said:

Correct..other than you don't have to play even one spin of it before cashing out and printing your ticket

thanks both for your answer and the link.

reference above, i was trying to be ethically/politically correct. 

I remember when I was a young teen in the early 60's and our family was visiting Paris (Father was a career Soldier stationed in Germany), and my Dad tried to find a bathroom for my mom and sisters and all the restaurants/business said "For Paying Customers Only".  He purchased a cup of coffee asked to use the rest room and when we left the coffe was still sitting on the counter untouched, but PAID for.

Thanks again for the answer.

[AshleyDillo]

21 minutes ago, CruiseGus said:

reference above, i was trying to be ethically/politically correct.

True..and while we can blame Royal IT for not figuring out how to apply the 5% charge like they do at the cashier cage it will ultimately be abuse that makes them figure it out. 

[Pattycruise]

On 10/8/2021 at 12:52 PM, Va4fam said:

I have never received any offers from Casino Royale either?  I think my wife and kids are all linked to my email with RCI.  Is it necessary to remove them from my account in order to get offers?  

That’s exactly what I said.  Yes, they must be removed to get offers

[ninejak]

Does anyone know if there is a way to check your account to see if any family members are linked? 

[Pattycruise]

8 minutes ago, ninejak said:

Does anyone know if there is a way to check your account to see if any family members are linked? 

Try this

you can enter your name snd C&A number to see if you have offers

in the drop down menu there a “not getting my offers”….that might help 

https://www.clubroyaleoffers.com

[WAAAYTOOO]

2 hours ago, Pattycruise said:

Try this

you can enter your name snd C&A number to see if you have offers

in the drop down menu there a “not getting my offers”….that might help 

https://www.clubroyaleoffers.com

In all the times that I have been to that website and looked at my offers, I never noticed that menu !  Thank you

[CruisingfromClayton]

4 hours ago, AshleyDillo said:

True..and while we can blame Royal IT for not figuring out how to apply the 5% charge like they do at the cashier cage it will ultimately be abuse that makes them figure it out. 

Ashley, do you happen to know if there's a cap (either daily or for the duration of the cruise) for the advances? 

[Pattycruise]

3 hours ago, WAAAYTOOO said:

In all the times that I have been to that website and looked at my offers, I never noticed that menu !  Thank you

It’s ridiculously small on my phone.

glad to be of help

[D Alt]

Thanks everyone! Great tips! keep them coming.  (btw, I'm not a new gambler and know my limits)

[Traveler]

1. Remember that the casino know you are captive , its not that you can go to other casino next door ... Therefore   you will see things like single odds craps tables and not so good odds at the machine (just my impression  anyway).

2. If you are playing the machines remember to check how many points you have at the last day. points can be converted to free play (without any impact on your status) for example if you have 1000 points you can  can convert them to 20$ of free play. Many people are not aware to it or just forget to do so.

3. Since its a cruise expect to see many first timers in the casino , do not be surprise to see people splitting 10s  or standing on 14 against a face card / taken a card on 13 against dealer 6. Anyone is allow to do it , you just need to decide if you want to keep playing there or go to another table. 

4. Check during the first day if you got any free play , many time the casino will give everyone between 5 to 100 $ in free play which is good only for the first two days.

5. Ask the Casino manager how many points you accumulate during the last day , mainly if you played the tables , sometimes you are entitle to some cruise vouchers which are not automatically being processed.

6. Always show your card and use it at the machines , even if you are going to play just with 20$ , remember , its not about how much money you put at the beginning its about how much you played with this 20$ . For example if you are playing blackjack and play 20$ each hand for two hours and you win every second hand and lose the following one you considered as you played average 20$ for two hours . Same with the machine , if you started with 20$ and played for 1 hour 5 $ each hit,  winning every second hit (in average) you actually played total of  1800 $ (5$*60 minutes * 6 (playing every 10 second) .

7. Do not start a game few minutes before  a show or dinner time , saw many people that got good hands  , saying "just one more hand" and missed shows/dinner , its never good for the relationship  

8.  Remember your plans for the next day , you don't  want to play until 2-3 am when you have early excursions ... 

9. If you used the option of getting money from your on board account and you are lucky enough to win some money and hold to it until the end of the cruise , consider to go to the guest services and pay your on board account using cash  , (that is if you are not collecting points on your credit card , in that case ignore it)

10. Have fun , you are on vacation not at work ...

[Chadster]

I have to agree with so many about a lot of tips, both for gambling on Royal and gambling in general. My September trip on Oasis was my first Royal cruise, and I told myself before I went that I was only going to play what I could afford to lose. Unfortunately for me, I didn't keep that number constant. I kept letting the siren song of the casino draw me back, telling myself I could lose a little more and still be okay, and I ended up a lot more down than I planned. Not to the point where I've wrecked a bunch of things, but it did definitely make me kick myself. From now on, it's hard-and-fast limits plus any free play/earned play from points...then done.

On the upside, after a reminder earlier in this thread to check offers, I see that the points I earned have already gained me a $100 instant-savings certificate, which will come in handy. Still, lesson learned -- walk away when I win and know how much I can truly stand to lose.

[Sushitex]

On 10/9/2021 at 3:27 PM, AshleyDillo said:

True..and while we can blame Royal IT for not figuring out how to apply the 5% charge like they do at the cashier cage it will ultimately be abuse that makes them figure it out. 

During one of our last pre-pandemic cruises,  hubby was trying to download funds from our credit card for the second time on a slot machine, and noticed that it would no longer do so. He had planned to use the money that he cashed out in other slot machines and at table games.  A staff member in the casino told him that so many people try to use the slot machines as a free ATM that they allow people to use it only once and then they lock them out. After verifying that hubby was a Prime member and that he was truly trying to gamble on the slot machines, etc., they did something to unlock him and he was able to continue the process. 
 

Now we just charge the money we  will use to our room - it’s tied to our credit card, there are no extra fees, and we earn double points with the credit card.  
 

If we do want actual cash, we both are currently Prime, and they will waive the transaction fee for Prime and higher-level members. However, we no longer see any point  in carrying around large amounts of cash. 
 

 

[CruiseGus]

On 10/8/2021 at 9:32 AM, leesam82 said:

.........

Another piece of advice for new gamblers is definitely go to the learn and play. This goes for any casino really. They are always more than happy to help you learn the game. 

So looking at the cruise planner for one of my upcoming cruises this year yet, I saw under Internet & More the below with this in the detailed explanation "Learn to Play is only available on Day 1 and 2 of your sailing. Check the Cruise Compass for gaming lesson times and check-in with one of our dealers"

my question is can this also be purchased when on board or is it pre-purchase only?

[Pattycruise]

2 hours ago, CruiseGus said:

So looking at the cruise planner for one of my upcoming cruises this year yet, I saw under Internet & More the below with this in the detailed explanation "Learn to Play is only available on Day 1 and 2 of your sailing. Check the Cruise Compass for gaming lesson times and check-in with one of our dealers"

my question is can this also be purchased when on board or is it pre-purchase only?

My understanding is Learn and play can be attended without booking in the cruise planner. As it shows up in the cruise compass without a $ next to it.   I was on Adventure and Oasis and pre purchased this in the cruise planner.  The dealers had no idea I had purchased it.  At the end of the lesson session go to the cashier and tell them you attended and get your $25 back in slot money or chips, mine also included 2 free drink vouchers valid at the casino bar.  I’m not sure if this is how it works on other ships.

btw, my last sailing the lessons were on Day 1,3,5 and we had no idea ahead of time.  They also adjusted the time of the lesson on day one, our ship left early, so I arrived the last 5 minutes, no one checked to see if I was there the whole time, I just made my way to the cashier, forked over my sea pass  card and asked for my chips and drink vouchers.

[Jolly Ogre]

The learn to play is not even showing up in my planner.

[teddy]

16 minutes ago, Jolly Ogre said:

The learn to play is not even showing up in my planner.

It's showing up on the "Daily Planner" section of the app for me.  It won't let me add it to "My Calendar" until we board.  I'll try to take a screenshot with my phone and add it here

 

 

[Nate Y]

If you don't know how to play but want to play or think you'll want to play, attend the free tutorial on games on embarkation day, or any other time it may be offered.  I say next to some people playing blackjack before who were complete novices and making some cringe plays.  Don't give up your money without a fight, know how to play the game.

Also don't let your free credit on your sea pass go to waste.