Huff and Puff to Prime

[CruiseRoyalDad]

How fair is this slot to get to prime? Let's say with a $1500 bank roll? Also, is it smarter to do $5 or $10 spins on the way?

[twangster]

Statistically most slot machines offers the same opportunity for winning.

Having said that, I've experienced certain machines that appear to be hot for a spell, then they go cold.  Mathematically it doesn't make sense, yet I've seen it more than once.  

I recently played a $200 investment for 1500 points before the machine went cold.  That was a pretty good run but when it went cold, it went ice cold.  

On another ship I received 3 hand pays on one machine all on the same evening.  It was on fire.  $200 in each time, $2,300-ish handpays.  The next day that same machine was ice cold and I saw other people who had enjoyed my type of luck give a lot of their winnings back, convinced it would hit any spin.  I also gave some of my winning back before I realized the magic was over. 

Huff and Puff for me has never been a huge winner but I've sat near people who hit handpays on Huff and Puff.  For me, on Huff and Puff, if I get any sort of decent win I cash out and take the money.  

YMMV.

[CruiseRoyalDad]

$200 to reach prime is phenomenal. Fully prepared to see at least $2K disappear in the effort. 

[twangster]

Are you trying to get it done before April 1st? 

I would recommend seeing how it is going.  All too often when I want just a few hundred more points to level up, those few hundred points can be very painful to earn. 

If you are enjoying some good luck stay with it but when you see your luck is slipping be very careful chasing points.  It can get costly, quickly. Sometimes it's better to finish it on a another cruise when lady luck is smiling on you.  

[CruiseRoyalDad]

24 minutes ago, twangster said:

Are you trying to get it done before April 1st? 

I would recommend seeing how it is going.  All too often when I want just a few hundred more points to level up, those few hundred points can be very painful to earn. 

If you are enjoying some good luck stay with it but when you see your luck is slipping be very careful chasing points.  It can get costly, quickly. Sometimes it's better to finish it on a another cruise when lady luck is smiling on you.  

No. Allure of the Seas in June. 

[WAAAYTOOO]

I’m with @twangster on trying to push for the last few hundred points.  The casino (and revenue) managers know what they’re doing.  As the end of the casino year creeps into view, they know that there will be people trying to push to get to the next level and they take advantage.  That is the WORST time to scramble for points.  The same is true for the last few days of a cruise…people either scrambling for points or trying to regain lost fortunes.  Pushing at the wrong time can be painful and expensive.

[CruiseRoyalDad]

37 minutes ago, WAAAYTOOO said:

I’m with @twangster on trying to push for the last few hundred points.  The casino (and revenue) managers know what they’re doing.  As the end of the casino year creeps into view, they know that there will be people trying to push to get to the next level and they take advantage.  That is the WORST time to scramble for points.  The same is true for the last few days of a cruise…people either scrambling for points or trying to regain lost fortunes.  Pushing at the wrong time can be painful and expensive.

By that rationale though we are saying they have a switch to decrease the odds of winning on any given machine (or all casino machines) to make the push for the last few points difficult. This can't be possible if we are to believe that random number generators determine the outcomes. Especially if there's a gaming commission of sorts that checks the casino for "fair" play outside of the house edge built in. That being said, I don't know that there is a gaming commission that regulates games exclusive to international waters and some foreign ports.

[WAAAYTOOO]

33 minutes ago, CruiseRoyalDad said:

By that rationale though we are saying they have a switch to decrease the odds of winning on any given machine (or all casino machines) to make the push for the last few points difficult. This can't be possible if we are to believe that random number generators determine the outcomes. Especially if there's a gaming commission of sorts that checks the casino for "fair" play outside of the house edge built in. That being said, I don't know that there is a gaming commission that regulates games exclusive to international waters and some foreign ports.

You will never convince me that they don’t have a quick/centralized way to adjust the odds on all the machines in their favor.  We’ve been playing in their casinos for waaaytooo long. Even if I’m wrong (probably am ) I believe it and that’s all it takes.

[WhereIsPortSide]

The Huff n' Puff family of games are volatile. For me, they are feast or famine. Personally, I would start at $5 versus $10...but even at $5, be prepared to spend more than your $1500 budget to get from zero to Prime. Hopefully, you start off with some good bonuses right off the bat and can reach your goal well within your budget though. 

[Ampurp85]

Huff and Puff is too volatile for me. The line hits are abysmal and sometimes the bonuses suck. If I am chasing points, and I know this doesn't work for everyone, but I do Dancing drums. As Monopoly express is a great one for points. Ultimately I think you should play what you enjoy.

 

[tonyfsu21]

8 hours ago, WAAAYTOOO said:

I’m with @twangster on trying to push for the last few hundred points.  The casino (and revenue) managers know what they’re doing.  As the end of the casino year creeps into view, they know that there will be people trying to push to get to the next level and they take advantage.  That is the WORST time to scramble for points.  The same is true for the last few days of a cruise…people either scrambling for points or trying to regain lost fortunes.  Pushing at the wrong time can be painful and expensive.

This is my situation and it seems to happen all the time. I am going to miss Signature yet again. 

[tonyfsu21]

7 hours ago, WAAAYTOOO said:

You will never convince me that they don’t have a quick/centralized way to adjust the odds on all the machines in their favor.  We’ve been playing in their casinos for waaaytooo long. Even if I’m wrong (probably am ) I believe it and that’s all it takes.

At one point I actually thought they had some integrity but I think what you are saying might be more accurate than any of us want to believe. 

[tonyfsu21]

9 hours ago, CruiseRoyalDad said:

How fair is this slot to get to prime? Let's say with a $1500 bank roll? Also, is it smarter to do $5 or $10 spins on the way?

With some luck on your side you may be able to cycle $1500 into 2500 points. If RNG is not on your side, you risk walking out with 300 points and lose the bankroll. In any case, the strategy should probably be to pick a day or night and use the entire bankroll, don’t cut it up. The key is longevity and $500 at a time probably won’t do it. Obv it’s gambling so you could technically put $10 in the machine and hit a grand jackpot for $50k so this advice is basically worthless. I have also found success in swapping machines across the board every $150-$200. Random machines with zero prejudice. Glitter cats, wheel of fortune, Heidi and her Bier House (the list goes on). In between machines there is normally a trip back to the casino bar… This might be the reason I make poor decisions? Good luck.

 

[OCSC Mike]

Does no one play the game the with Asian chef and the pots on the burners with all the dumplings in the bonus round?

Since we're only there to use our $6 free plays I let my wife pick the machine but that has become our go-to on Utopia. The bonus round is fun and we did have that record win of $123 between the two of us last week, lol.

[tonyfsu21]

2 minutes ago, OCSC Mike said:

Does no one play the game the with Asian chef and the pots on the burners with all the dumplings in the bonus round?

Since we're only there to use our $6 free plays I let my wife pick the machine but that has become our go-to on Utopia. The bonus round is fun and we did have that record win of $123 between the two of us last week, lol.

Hot pots is volatile but fun. I don’t normally end up playing that or huff and puff but they certainly are entertaining.

[OCSC Mike]

1 minute ago, tonyfsu21 said:

Hot pots is volatile

When you have a combined $12 every game is volatile, lol. I was just curious. I obviously got lucky and hit two bonus rounds very quickly with that last $6.

[tonyfsu21]

14 minutes ago, OCSC Mike said:

When you have a combined $12 every game is volatile, lol. I was just curious. I obviously got lucky and hit two bonus rounds very quickly with that last $6.

lol. That’s a true statement. It must be exciting though! I would hope that you enjoy the volatility with a drink in hand. It’s gambling, anything can and will happen. 

[OCSC Mike]

On 3/26/2026 at 7:31 PM, tonyfsu21 said:

lol. That’s a true statement. It must be exciting though! I would hope that you enjoy the volatility with a drink in hand. It’s gambling, anything can and will happen. 

It's just something to do. Either we hit the bonus round which is fun or we're done in minutes. It can take longer to set up my PIN and load the free play than lose it, lol.

I have plenty of gambling experience playing BJ in my younger years, it just lost its appeal over time. And given that we only cruise like 3 times/year, I'd rather be eating, lounging, and using vouchers (often simultaneously). I used to play a little onboard while my wife was taking a nap or doing something without me but now I just go to ELF for tacos and a margarita or something.

[tonyfsu21]

7 minutes ago, OCSC Mike said:

It's just something do. Either we hit the bonus round which is fun or we're done in minutes. It can take longer to set up my PIN and load the free play than lose it, lol.

I have plenty of gambling experience playing BJ in my younger years, it just lost its appeal over time. And given that we only cruise like 3 times/year, I'd rather be eating, lounging, and using vouchers (often simultaneously). I used to play a little onboard while my wife was taking a nap or doing something without me but now I just go to ELF for tacos and a margarita or something.

I should probably do the same instead of flushing money down the toilet. 

[OCSC Mike]

9 minutes ago, tonyfsu21 said:

I should probably do the same instead of flushing money down the toilet. 

Clearly it's entertainment you enjoy and you earn some perks along the way. If it starts to cut into the Rolex fund THEN you have a problem.

[Ampurp85]

@OCSC Mike I hate flaming hot pots but I'm glad it works for you. I feel like it takes forever to bonus... ..like Huff and puff, so it eats through the money. 

[OCSC Mike]

3 minutes ago, Ampurp85 said:

@OCSC Mike I hate flaming hot pots but I'm glad it works for you. I feel like it takes forever to bonus... ..like Huff and puff, so it eats through the money. 

Nothing takes forever when you only have $12, lol. Clearly I had super dumb luck hitting those bonus rounds... but that's kinda what slot machines are all about in the end.

[CruiseRoyalDad]

11 hours ago, OCSC Mike said:

Clearly it's entertainment you enjoy and you earn some perks along the way. If it starts to cut into the Rolex fund THEN you have a problem.

wait...you have a rolex fund? Time to be rethinking my life's choices. 

[OCSC Mike]

5 minutes ago, CruiseRoyalDad said:

wait...you have a rolex fund? Time to be rethinking my life's choices. 

LOL, no, @tonyfsu21 is the Rolex aficionado, that was for him. I have a $75 "Rolex-inspired" watch as my everyday watch though. 

[SoCalYeags]

On 3/26/2026 at 6:54 AM, CruiseRoyalDad said:

No. Allure of the Seas in June. 

Huff and puff has been historically bad for me. That being said I play dragon link and it can be just as volatile. Allure wrecked me, I just got off last weekend. I also didn't follow my golden rule of switch machines if I don't hit something decent in the 40 to 50 spin range. My preferred games were in high demand so I sat at one machine longer than I normally would and ate bigger losses on cold machines because of it.

Stick to your bankroll and forget the points. If you hit it, great. If not the rabbit hole of chasing the remaining could end up costing you more than the free cruise and free drinks. Sadly I know this first hand. My last 400 points to hit 9k on allure cost me $1,500 for example.

Good luck and happy cruising!

[Mark_A]

In 2025, I hit 2 Grand jackpots, both on Huff and Even More Puff.  one on Oasis and one at home in Colorado.  So I do play that one a little bit

[SoCalYeags]

14 minutes ago, Mark_A said:

In 2025, I hit 2 Grand jackpots, both on Huff and Even More Puff.  one on Oasis and one at home in Colorado.  So I do play that one a little bit

Congratulations that's awesome!

[xaza]

1 hour ago, Mark_A said:

In 2025, I hit 2 Grand jackpots, both on Huff and Even More Puff.  one on Oasis and one at home in Colorado.  So I do play that one a little bit

I was just in Central City on Sunday...but I don't gamble at home.  We went to check on the snow...it is sad.

[Pattycruise]

On 3/26/2026 at 10:04 AM, WAAAYTOOO said:

I’m with @twangster on trying to push for the last few hundred points.  The casino (and revenue) managers know what they’re doing.  As the end of the casino year creeps into view, they know that there will be people trying to push to get to the next level and they take advantage.  That is the WORST time to scramble for points.  The same is true for the last few days of a cruise…people either scrambling for points or trying to regain lost fortunes.  Pushing at the wrong time can be painful and expensive.

I was on Icon for their March 28 sailing.  I swore I wasn’t going to gamble much for the old casino year but I just kept hitting features-no matter what machine I tried (why can’t it always be like that?!) I was doing the lowest bets in the machine-afraid if I raised my bets my luck would change.  Anyhow April 1st- not a bonus to be had.  It was BAD. It got better on April 3 for me.  Casino overall was dead. In fairness it was a spring break cruise-so lots of families doing their thing. 

[CruiseRoyalDad]

On 4/7/2026 at 10:00 PM, SoCalYeags said:

My last 400 points to hit 9k on allure cost me $1,500 for example.

 

Ouch...hence the life of a gambler. Thanks for the insight though!!! 

[DuckHunter]

Although NOT PRIME, I just got off of the Quantum, primarily played Huff n Puff, and got 800 CR points off of my starting $120.  

Planned bankroll was $1,500 and goal was 800 points. 

Put in a hundo and lost immediately.  Put in a 20 and hit $400. Played that down over the course of 2 hours and left with $200.

Put the $200 in the next day and hit the Mansion Feature with Minor Jackpots (some 2x) on nearly all of the houses.  Won about $1,200.

Played that down to $900.

Put in another $100 the last day and hit $400.

Keep in mind that these were all on my meager bet of 100 coins on 1 cent wagers. 

[tonyfsu21]

2 hours ago, DuckHunter said:

Although NOT PRIME, I just got off of the Quantum, primarily played Huff n Puff, and got 800 CR points off of my starting $120.  

Planned bankroll was $1,500 and goal was 800 points. 

Put in a hundo and lost immediately.  Put in a 20 and hit $400. Played that down over the course of 2 hours and left with $200.

Put the $200 in the next day and hit the Mansion Feature with Minor Jackpots (some 2x) on nearly all of the houses.  Won about $1,200.

Played that down to $900.

Put in another $100 the last day and hit $400.

Keep in mind that these were all on my meager bet of 100 coins on 1 cent wagers. 

Sometimes you get lucky. Most of the time it’s an absolute disaster (but it’s fun if you enjoy the rush). 

[Mark_A]

On 4/8/2026 at 7:41 AM, xaza said:

I was just in Central City on Sunday...but I don't gamble at home.  We went to check on the snow...it is sad.

Very Sad.   This winter was atrocious.

[Amy Gibson]

On 4/8/2026 at 5:00 AM, SoCalYeags said:

Huff and puff has been historically bad for me. That being said I play dragon link and it can be just as volatile. Allure wrecked me, I just got off last weekend. I also didn't follow my golden rule of switch machines if I don't hit something decent in the 40 to 50 spin range. My preferred games were in high demand so I sat at one machine longer than I normally would and ate bigger losses on cold machines because of it.

Stick to your bankroll and forget the points. If you hit it, great. If not the rabbit hole of chasing the remaining could end up costing you more than the free cruise and free drinks. Sadly I know this first hand. My last 400 points to hit 9k on allure cost me $1,500 for example.

Good luck and happy cruising!

$1,500 for those last few points is a tough pill to swallow. I’ve definitely been there, staying glued to a cold machine just because the ones I actually wanted were taken is a recipe for disaster. It’s so easy to let that "golden rule" slide when the floor is packed, but the house always seems to catch you for it. Chasing the status or the cruise is a dangerous game once you’re in the hole, so I appreciate the reality check. Hopefully your next sailing treats you a lot better and the machines actually cooperate!