Just got back from a Thanksgiving holiday cruise.
Checked out the casino on the first day to see the craps table.
A 14 footer with synthetic felt and a firm surface.
Got to the table at opening, bought in for a few hundred.
And no one else showed up to play but me and the dealers!
Lucky me to play alone for a while and get a feel for the table.
Tried a few different throws and landings.
Best result–Hardways set with a high arc 3 inches from the wall.
Cost me a few dollars in a trial and error session.
Two other players came after a half hour and then the magic began.
Lots of hardways, 6,8’s and a lot of 5s and 10s.
47 minutes later cashed out 4 Times my buy in and went to dinner.
Later, it was the usual crowded table and I would not play in those conditions.
Second day, first at the table got on another roll, made a few hundred but I was noticing some splits and wobbles creeping in. something was off.
Third day my shot went south. Lost a bit and got out.
Thought a lot about what was going on with the dice.
Then I remembered an old post from one of the instructors about grip flaws etc.
Had a pair of dice in the room to see if it was my grip.
Found my middle fingernail was just a little too long and a few trims with a file and the grip felt much better.
Ready to play, went to the casino after dinner–table was almost full, not good.
Some guys I had played with a few days back saw me and asked me to join.
They told the other players that I HAD TO SHOOT and they had the guts to walk over to the stick left people to move them down and let me in!! Things are looking up.
Went thru 5 shooters until I got the dice.
Diced looked great the next few throws and I went all in.
End players were told to move their chips so I would have clear landing by the other players.
Then the chips starting flying on the full table as I made 2 points in 5 throws!
The young new players want to know what is this guy?
One hour later, back is killing me legs are getting tired now and a 7 out.
Turned my red chips to a pile of blacks and went to the show.
Some conclusions to my story.
Cruises are great for craps fun and you have low limits with no hassles.
Less nasty people to play with. Most are very laid back.
Read the GTC posts, the knowledge is valuable.
I still remember the instructors in my ear. Looser grip, shoot higher.
Take all the GTC classes and finish with the Advanced class.
Remember what the instructors taught. It makes a difference.
Happy Sailing
Happy Holidays
ColorUp (the original)
John
Replies:
Posted by: Dr Crapology on December 1, 2021, 2:33 pm
What a great post. Yes what we teach is the way to go. So glad you were able to see the improvements needed to to be successful. It does pay to pay attention to the instructors and take a few notes to study once you return home from the class. You made out day.
Just wondering how the cruise was considering the corona virus concerns. Any problems getting on and/or off the ship to see a little of the islands where the ship docked? Assume you were in the warm waters of the gulf of Mexico.
Rose and Doc
Posted by: Dominator on December 1, 2021, 2:56 pm
Just a great job going back to the room and analyzed your throw not at the tables so you would lose more money, but the smart thing and do it away from the table and in your room!
Dom
Posted by: ColorUp on December 1, 2021, 7:32 pm
To answer Docs question:
In the Caribbean,.
Easy to visit at each port if you want to.
Cruising is safer than going to a land based casino.
1. You have to be tested 2 days before departure. With a negative Covid result. Crew is constantly tested. Any sign of Covid and you will be confined to your room.
2. Reduced capacity of ships right now.
3. Masked dealers.
4. Some ships have mask rules in casino rule for guests.
5. Stick and dice are sanitized between shooters and dealer changes.
6. Increased air filtration in the casino area.
Really cheap prices to get an a cruse now.
Go a few times and get a huge discount or get it free!
ColorUp
Posted by: HardNine on December 2, 2021, 5:28 pm
Simply love it!!! Well done! I agree… I love shooting on the ships. Fun crowds. There was this one guy Rudy who was on a transatlantic and the whole table would yell out “Hey Rudy!” when he joined. He was recently widowed but trying to have a good time.
A few months late, I saw him in AC and went over to say hi. Fun times on ships! Keep it up.
Posted by: Cotton Lob on December 5, 2021, 6:57 pm
Thanks for the trip report. Funny how those instructor voices play in your head while at the table.
I recently played and didn’t follow the five-count on myself and lost my gains from the prior week. ( coming clean with you guys )
I broke all my and your rules and lost.
Posted by: Dr Crapology on December 5, 2021, 11:35 pm
It happens. No matter what you do there will be times when the gambling gods are not with you. that is the time to move on by taking a break, re group your thoughts and come back. Remember that is why we have a bankroll so that we can withstand the down times. Remember the casinos have an extremely large bank roll, on occasion lose a million dollar jack put to a slot machine yet that still make money in the long run. We are no different.
Rose and Doc
Posted by: Preacher on December 6, 2021, 12:05 am
RollTide4Ever and I just returned from a Caribbean cruise, as well. Of course we played craps. The single table, 12′ microfiber layout, was fairly firm and playable by keeping the arc low, 4″ above the rail at its highest. Minimum bet was $5, bonus bet was the All Tall Small. Maximum bet was $500, max odds 2X.
We would warm up back in our state room, using my GTC mobile receiving station. It folds up and fits in my carryon perfectly. And it looks as new as the day I bought it.
The dealers and stickman were very agreeable, and not fussy about hitting the back wall. However, the dealers were not well trained. On one occasion, when I was at the Stick Right corner, blocking for RollTide4Ever (my SR 1 and 2 spots were taken), two old guys were throwing back-to-back bets at the dealer, confusing him and holding up the table. A real dealer would not have been confused like that. So, patience was always the order of the day.
The table closed at 3AM each night, back by 9AM, I think – we never showed before noon. The table always had open positions around meal times, which was good for us.
Our ship, too, was kept at 70% capacity. We had to keep our masks on at all times, inside, except while sitting at the dining table.
All in all, an enjoyable cruise.
Posted by: Cotton Lob on December 10, 2021, 2:00 am
Unbelievable how a few will throw the money in like that. And they know what they are doing but could not give a damn. I am not crazy about being trapped on a boat with all those people. We did take a three day cruise to Nashua in the 1990’s. Nice thing is not having to drive when you step outside your room. All I did was eat. LOL
Posted by: High Arc on December 11, 2021, 5:34 pm
@dr-crapology great points
