Reply To: Cruising

[Ben RosenthalKeymaster]

You got it.

Cruises can be tricky. On one hand, the RTP is worse. How much worse will depend on the ship and the game, and there’s speculation all over the internet. But safe to say it’s lower, and having been on probably 15 or more cruises, I feel it every time while I’m spinning.

But on the other hand, it’s often important to show action on a cruise ship. You’re most likely going to want future offers from the cruise line you’re on. If it’s a one-time thing, then this wouldn’t apply. You can be as tight as you want and never get invited back, but who cares? I happen to have a guy who gets me free cruises, so I do try to show action so he can then say, “Guys, look at this whale I’m bringing you. Give him a bunch of slot play, free this, free that, and he’ll put a lot of coin in.”

Then, as always, it’s going to depend on the competition on the ship. If I’m sailing solo (from an AP perspective) and maybe I see a close longer-run play, I am going to let it marinate for a bit. If someone luckily stumbles upon it and hits it—whatever it is; it could be a Hexbreaker play, it could be a Wolf Run, it could be whatever—then so be it. I’ve left seven-up Hexes before in this situation since I figured I had nothing to worry about.

But if there’s actual competition, which is always a bummer when there aren’t that many slots to begin with, then I may need to take the play a little earlier than I would have liked.

I also factor in what I call “spite equity,” which is a very real thing, especially in close quarters like a cruise ship. In short, let’s say I see a Magic Treasures (Money Balls) at 12. On a cruise ship, that would never be worth playing. But you know what, I want to really discourage my competition from finding anything remotely close to +EV.

Don’t bother, buddy. You’re not going to find anything here. You might as well not even stop by the casino and get seconds at the buffet instead.

Crazy, yes, but it’s how people think out there.

Factoring all that in…y = mx + b or something like that…it’s going to depend on all those aforementioned factors. On day one of a cruise, I am getting to the casino before it opens and scoping out the best plays as it’s leaving port. I am then hoping I don’t see any competition, and I can tell right off the bat if there is some, because that person is doing the same thing I am.

Also, pay attention or ask what you need, in points, to reach various tiers from the cruise line. Some ships have special 2x points hours too, so if I can save some of those longer-run plays for those windows, I always try to. If you have competition, this won’t be as easy.

Also, talk to the casino host as often as you can. Ask for everything. Free massages, free internet, free slot play, money at the duty-free store. Many cruise lines are really tight with this, and they won’t often voluntarily give you anything. If you think you’re showing decent play, ask for the world. I always say things like, “Cruise line X gives me x, y, z.” Even if that’s not the case. I try to show that I’m a big whale action guy. I’m sure they think I’m obnoxious, but I don’t really care and also don’t ever say anything actually nasty or anything.

Airports are easier: There is no Airport Card, though man, that would be awesome if one existed. I feel no obligation or need to play some longer-run machine—Rich Little Piggies, let’s say—that isn’t at the very least at my minimum. I wouldn’t go crazy trying to tighten up every play. As in, if my min on Rich Little Piggies is 20 and I think the RTP is a certain percentage, I might in theory want to bump it up to 22 or so. I mean, you can, but that seems a little over the top.

In general at airports, I’m looking for quick-hitters. Things like Huff N’ Puff We’ve Had Enuff. Invest a spin or two and move on.

• This reply was modified 3 weeks, 1 day ago by Ben Rosenthal.