Cruise ship tournaments?

How many players would like to take a 6-7 day cruise and play 3 major blackjack tournaments while on board? That is the poll question I am posting.
Each tournament would cost $300 entry (if paid in full for all three) included into the price on the cruise. For example: 3 tournaments X $300 = $900 + $60 fee per person + $499 for lower cabin = $1,459 for all inclusive tournament cruise. If you up grade to like outside cabin or suite your price will increase as well. These prices will not include re-entries, that cost will be extra.

What do you think? A cruise and three tournaments within only 6-7 days? Right now I am looking at leaving out of New Orleans, but that could change depending on prices.

If you only wanted to play in one or two of the tournaments the cost per event would be $350 and you would not be intitled to any special rates we might get for the cruise. Plus I am sure we can host a few mini-tournaments as well to fill the spare time.

 

Seminars on the cruise

Stanford Wong, Henry Tambruin, and Kevin Blackwood are just a few that told me they would be willing to hold seminars on a blackjack tournament cruise if we get the tournaments going.

This looks like an easier egg to crack then getting in the land based casinos. With good results from one or two tournament cruises maybe the land basied casinos will open up to our format of giving value (and shorten the time) for their tournaments.

Just think no presser of having to play the regular tables for 4 hours at so much per hand avg. and playing three tournaments in half the time it normally takes, (5-6 days VS. 11-12 days). Everything is prepaid: cruise, room, food, entry fee's. All you need is re-buy money and whatever extra cash you may want to bring. And when not playing you can go listen to some of the best blackjack minds around.

 

I'm in.

I think it would be a fantastic opportunity! To play blackjack and listen to the pros! Count me in.

 

I'm in!

Sounds good but must include special rate for non-playing companion.

tgun

 

When you say you want to go out of New Orleans, I assume you are planning on the Carnival Conquest. I took that cruise this past summer. If any of you are wondering, it is a beautiful ship with plenty to do when you aren't in the tournaments. We were on it seven days and still didn't have a drink in every bar. (I think I remember reading they have 23 places on board that you can get a drink at) Casino Player magazine sponsored a poker cruise this month on the same ship so they seem to be amenable to gambling oriented cruises.
I would definitely be interested in this opportunity.

 

I'm trying

Feed back I have been getting sounds good. I would like to work up a special deal for all players and companions (playing or not).

The fact that they're are other things to do on board the ship is just a bonus for the non players. I want to try and schedule the events around when we hit the ports so everyone can enjoy the cruise as well as the tournaments (as best I can) I don't think the semi or finalist will mind missing a port as long as they are winning money...LOL.

I think a Caribbean will be the way to start and if all goes well maybe a Alaskan cruise for the next one.

 

Remember their table games suck, poorest BJ rules anywhere and very sweaty pit critters. Hey Joep if you get 86'd you get to swim with the sharks. This pretty much eliminates any side play. I have been on Linda Johnson's card player poker cruises and there are usually 10 tourneys ranging from $100 to $500 buy in with entry fees $20 to $50 including a free-roll for $5,000 and cash drawings (this helps offset the high EV) also the prize money in poker is spread out to more players giving most of the players a chance to be a winner for the trip etc. far different from BJ tourneys where only a few will make anything. If it is run like the poker cruises I would go, but if it is just 3 tourneys, with no free-roll and limited winners no way I could consider it. It would amount to nothing but a high priced vacation to all but a lucky few.

 

Now this sounds like one great adventure!!!

Cruise, Sun, Drinks, Blackjack Tournaments, Seminars from the best players.

Isn't that Heaven?

Im in, just let me no when!

Slim

 

You know me pokernut!

When these tournaments get going they will have better payouts as far as more winners. I hate top heavy tournaments and the players can chop the pot on the final table if they like, (I will have all the options posted for the finals). All the finalist have to agree on the chop or they will play it out.

We cannot get blackjack up there with poker until we start taking what is making poker so popular and putting that winning format in to blackjack. Poker players already know winning a little of somthing is better then 100% of nothing.

As far as other tournaments "YES" they're will be more then the three majors. I am planing several mini's and some Super-Mini's as well so you can get your fill of tournaments all within the week (or less) we're on the ship.

I want this to have value for everyone players and cruise line as well. Why should they or you do it it there isn't value. Free roll? I'll have to see what the cruise line offers if they do offer something I am sure it will be based on a certain amount of players. This will be something that I won't know until later. I am looking at trying to schedule the tournaments for around late June or first of July. This will leave a month or so before the Stardust and New Frontier tournaments.

 

Now it's a party

Hollywood just told me he wants in. I guess I need to check on Joep an make sure he's not 86'ed...LOL. Hell if Joep can't play it's not worth having.

As far as GRIFFIN is concerned, they can Griffin this! I'm putting them together and everybody can come play, it's tournaments for God sake.

 

Goal for cruise this summer

I received some e-mail wanting to take the cruise in Jan./Feb. when the prices are lower. Great idea, but way to soon to get it planned for this coming Jan./Feb. Now if the summer cruise goes well, then yes we will plan a Jan./Feb. cruise as well for 2006 and hope to make it a twice a year event.

Please contact me or post here if you have ANY suggestions or ideas to make the tournament cruise a better success.

I am looking a making ALL the tournaments "Fun Money" events to make them more affordable for everyone.

As you can tell I don't work for a casino, I ask for help and listen to the players suggestions...LOL.

 

May 29th through June 4th would be a great time to do this for all of us working stiffs. Memorial Day holiday is on the Monday of that week, which is a holiday for some of us. I will not have to burn up all of my vacation time this way so that I can save some to play in more tournaments.

 

I'll try

I am talking to a couple of cruise lines to see who will give us the best deal. Your time schedule sounds good for everybody, let me see what I can do.

Thanks for the feedback, input like that helps all of us.

Way to go whityangel.

 

This sounds great- please count me in! Thanks

 

Cruise Ship Tournaments

Count me in

 

Here is one thing you might consider when deciding on dates. I took that Conquest cruise the first week of June last summer. That was also the week after most schools got out. It seemed as if there were significantly higher numbers of youngsters on board than I had expected. That would probably not be the case if you choose a date before summer vacation.
They weren't a bother to me but I thought you might want to be aware of their presence.

 

Good Point

I love the feedback, this helps to set up the best events for everyone.

We know May is a bad month because of the MD III finals.

I will shoot for the first of June, this will give most of us about two months before the Stardust and New Frontier tournaments in August.

I am trying my best to schedule breaks in between tourneys as well so everyone can enjoy all the other entertainment on the crusie and differant ports as well.

 

Great idea. I've already told TXtourplayer that the guys from the MIT Blackjack Team are very interested in hosting a seminar. Blackjack on a cruise ship - sounds like a can't miss.

 

New Orleans out!

No open cruises out of New Orleans in June so we are looking for a new port to leave out of. I am looking at Florida or California, either will work. It depends on which offers us the best deal. Max Rubin, Henry Tambruin, and Kevin Blackwood are all helping to make this tournament cruise happen.