Carnival Radiance Casino Report
March 19th, 2023 at 3:59:24 PM
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I just returned from a four-night cruise on the Carnival Radiance. We left and return to Long Beach, with stops in Catalina and Ensenada.
Let's get right to the games.
Video Poker -- Game Makers with 25c to $2 denom. The following were the games at both ends of the bet range:
Video Keno -- Much like video poker, as bad as it gets on a Game King. 25c bets only.
Table Games
Roulette -- double-zero
Blackjack -- Eight decks, dealer hits soft 17, double after split allowed, no surrender, no re-splitting aces, dealer peeks at hole card. Blackjack pays 6-5 at $10 minimum and 3-2 at $25 minimum. House edge of 0.66% at 3-2 and 2.02% at 6-5
Craps -- 2x odds, stingy field, 15-30 hops
Let it Ride
Heads up Hold 'em -- Sorry, I forgot to record the Blind pay table.
Three Card Prime
Ultimate Fun 21 -- This seems to be a copycat game of Spanish 21. I need to get more details.
There was unfortunately no fun book waiting for me and no incentive for new player sign-ups. Conveniently, one could use their room key as their player card.
Drinks were NOT complimentary. Bar prices were charged. As I recall, $10 for a draft beer and $12 for a vodka & tonic.
Service was good and the atmosphere was lively. I think smoking was allowed, but I didn't notice anybody actually smoking. Personally, I played Head up Hold 'em at the $5 minimum level for a couple hours. I know the house edge is not the lowest, but I had only so much cash, it's a slow-paced game and tends to comp better than blackjack games.
I welcome all questions.
Let's get right to the games.
Video Poker -- Game Makers with 25c to $2 denom. The following were the games at both ends of the bet range:
| Game | Pay Table | Return |
|---|---|---|
| Bonus Poker | 8,5,3,1 | 94.18% |
| Double Bonus | 7,5 | 93.11% |
| Jacks or Better | 6,5 | 95.00% |
| Double Double Bonus | 6,5 | 94.66% |
| Triple Double Bonus | 7,5 | 94.92% |
| Deuces Wild | 20,10,8,4,3,2,2 | 91.42% |
Video Keno -- Much like video poker, as bad as it gets on a Game King. 25c bets only.
| Pick | Return |
|---|---|
| 2 | 86.08% |
| 3 | 84.66% |
| 4 | 85.97% |
| 5 | 85.79% |
| 6 | 84.96% |
| 7 | 85.33% |
| 8 | 84.57% |
| 9 | 84.25% |
| 10 | 86.43% |
Table Games
Roulette -- double-zero
Blackjack -- Eight decks, dealer hits soft 17, double after split allowed, no surrender, no re-splitting aces, dealer peeks at hole card. Blackjack pays 6-5 at $10 minimum and 3-2 at $25 minimum. House edge of 0.66% at 3-2 and 2.02% at 6-5
Craps -- 2x odds, stingy field, 15-30 hops
Let it Ride
Heads up Hold 'em -- Sorry, I forgot to record the Blind pay table.
Three Card Prime
Ultimate Fun 21 -- This seems to be a copycat game of Spanish 21. I need to get more details.
There was unfortunately no fun book waiting for me and no incentive for new player sign-ups. Conveniently, one could use their room key as their player card.
Drinks were NOT complimentary. Bar prices were charged. As I recall, $10 for a draft beer and $12 for a vodka & tonic.
Service was good and the atmosphere was lively. I think smoking was allowed, but I didn't notice anybody actually smoking. Personally, I played Head up Hold 'em at the $5 minimum level for a couple hours. I know the house edge is not the lowest, but I had only so much cash, it's a slow-paced game and tends to comp better than blackjack games.
I welcome all questions.
Last edited by: Wizard on Mar 19, 2023
"For with much wisdom comes much sorrow." -- Ecclesiastes 1:18 (NIV)
March 19th, 2023 at 5:06:39 PM
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This is sadly standard across all Carnival cruises. The slots are all set to the lowest chip possible provided by the manufacturer. I have personally seen this on the set up screen. (Obviously I haven’t seen this on every slot but it’s a educated guess based on the info I have)
You can shear a sheep a hundred times, but you can skin it only once. — Amarillo Slim Preston
March 19th, 2023 at 8:31:27 PM
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Are there any Baccarat Games offered? And if so, is it Regular Mini-Baccarat or EZ Baccarat (No Commission on Banker Wins w/ Dragon 7)?
They had regular mini-Bac on my NCL Cruise last year, but NOBODY played the whole time. I played about 6 hands and got bored after going down $50 and realizing it's no fun if you can't touch the cards!
I'm used to playing $50-$100 limits at my local casino and noticed it really does make it more enjoyable when you can touch the cards!
They had regular mini-Bac on my NCL Cruise last year, but NOBODY played the whole time. I played about 6 hands and got bored after going down $50 and realizing it's no fun if you can't touch the cards!
I'm used to playing $50-$100 limits at my local casino and noticed it really does make it more enjoyable when you can touch the cards!
March 19th, 2023 at 9:06:30 PM
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Quote: 7NeverWinsAre there any Baccarat Games offered? And if so, is it Regular Mini-Baccarat or EZ Baccarat (No Commission on Banker Wins w/ Dragon 7)?
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No. I think Carnival gets a younger crowd than NCL and baccarat gets an older demographic.
"For with much wisdom comes much sorrow." -- Ecclesiastes 1:18 (NIV)
March 20th, 2023 at 5:19:34 AM
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The Carnival casinos I have been in lately have had a couple (literally, two) All Star VP machines that have 6/5 Bonus as their best game. However, with the exception of Spin Poker, you must play at least 3 hands per deal.
Wiz, did you notice any such machines on the Radiance?
Wiz, did you notice any such machines on the Radiance?
"Dealer has 'rock'... Pay 'paper!'"
March 20th, 2023 at 6:36:42 AM
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Quote: JoemanThe Carnival casinos I have been in lately have had a couple (literally, two) All Star VP machines that have 6/5 Bonus as their best game. However, with the exception of Spin Poker, you must play at least 3 hands per deal.
Wiz, did you notice any such machines on the Radiance?
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No. Just a bank of eight Game Makers. However, I could have missed them.
Here is another thread on Fun 21.
"For with much wisdom comes much sorrow." -- Ecclesiastes 1:18 (NIV)
