I typically have a playbook that I default to when taking to any given casino floor located throughout the country. With that being said…. That only counts for land-based casinos, not the ones you’ll find on the seven seas.
When it’s time to take a seafaring voyage, I mix up my play style in an attempt to stretch my budget and keep the fun rolling in the onboard casino. For me, this is especially important when I find myself on a Brian Christopher Slot Cruises, surrounded by our crew of fortune seekers.
If you’re reading this, there is a fair chance that you, yourself are a gambler, and fully appreciate that stretching your budget is almost always easier said than done. Even if it is an uphill battle, I am ready for the challenge if it means I get to bop around the casino chasing jackpots and laughs.
Play with Friends
After playing a little aggressively with my budget, I like to slow things down when it’s time to play with friends. Instead of always hammering off my customary $5 bets on dollar denomination, I will link up with a few Rudies and we’ll set our sights on a game with enough room for our group to play together. From there, I take the cues from my slot friends, matching their bets on a variety of lower level denominations. Playing side by side with friends can help keep you accountable to your own budget and, hopefully, temper the urge to load in more funds if a game isn’t being particularly nice.
The best tip for when you take over a bank of slot machines with your crew is to look for a multidenomination option. People can pick their denomination and bet size for their budget and comfort level,while still enjoying the same title as a group and, more or less, the same experience.
Mini Group Pulls
Playing in a row with your friends is a great warm up for a mini group pull. If you’ve participated in a group pull before, you know that everyone puts in the same amount of money and takes turns taking the same number of spins at a set bet. That set bet is typically higher than you’d wager if playing alone. At the end of the group pull, any remaining funds are removed from the game and divided evenly between all participants.
If there is a game that everyone seems to be really excited about, it’s a great contender for a mini group pull. You’ve heard me say it before, and you’ll probably hear me say it 500 more times – I love mini group pulls. I love being able to play with a group of friends and hope for the best. During my most recent BC Slots Cruise, my friends and I would periodically take a crack at the high limit Dragon Links on larger bet sizes. While we didn’t prove to be victorious, we did have an exciting time punctuated by no less than seven bonus fake outs.
Check Out Table Games
In more recent years, it seems like table game minimums on land continue to creep up and up when it comes to the minimum table bets. Thankfully, if you’re a table games player with a cruise booked, the good news is you can typically find lower entry points in the floating casinos. Most recently, I have been seeing minimums sit steadily at $10.
Table games can prove to be a budget saving option if the tables are busy. This is simply based on the fact that the more people playing, the more time it will take to move through a hand, roll, or other table game action.
Just like slots, you can turn playing tables into a group event by “taking over” a table. This just means circling up a crew with enough players to fill every seat at that table. Once you take a table over, you can really set the pace and tone of the game. I like to play with happy people (duh), and don’t like when others tell me how to play. When playing with friends, you set the vibes.
Bonus: If you are able to take over a table with your friends, you can use it as an opportunity to teach someone in your group how to play. When it is just your crew, you do not need to rush and can explain what is going on. It is highly encouraged to make sure you tip your dealer if you do this.
Participate in Promos
Unlike at my favorite Vegas destinations, I make a point to attend the various promotions happening in the ship’s casino floor on any given day. I like to throw my hat in the ring because the onboard casinos are smaller and for something like a hot seat drawing, my chances are better because there are less active players eligible to win.
Of course, as is gambling, nothing is guaranteed. I have yet to win an actual promotion, but the dream is alive! I am heading out on another cruise in a few weeks and hope to return with a successful report!
If you’re looking for more cruise casino tips before taking your next nautical adventure, you can read our 5 Tips to Maximize Your Cruise Ship Casino Time here.
Ready to join us on the water? Brian recently released a batch of new Carnival Cruises for 2027 into 2028. Take a look here and see you aboard!
