Poker on Holland America -- is this a scam?

Very surprising that you were never notified via letter to your stateroom that you had an 'outstanding' balance, or 'refund' due.

When I was on HAL Eurodam both in August and November, both times at the end of the week, we had a receipt requesting to settle any refunds and/or balances before disembarking.

We are trying to get a refund for the DVDs we purchased on board that don't work on our DVD player. This service is also run by a third party company. We were promised replacements that never arrived. One problem was that the ship went into dry dock. Finally we asked for a refund that we are waiting to get. I won't purchase any more DVDs on board any more, though. Everyone is being very nice about the request but it just hasn't been resolved yet. So, I feel your pain. I do know that the Casino closes down at a certain time and they make an announcement to settle out your dealings before then. I really don't think that anyone is trying to cheat you of your credit. It just is too hard to reconstruct because of the third party involved. Good luck, though in getting reimbursed.

Speaking of unclaimed money, one lady was running around like a mad woman the day of debarkation. She had fallen asleep early the previous evening, and when she awoke that morning, she couldn’t cash in her winnings vouchers because the cage was closed. Last I heard they were trying to get the casino manager to help her. I heard the total for the vouchers was around $750.

Thanks for replying. I don't know if scam is the right word, but where does all the unclaimed money go? It's funny, if you owe the cruiseline any money, you better believe it will be on your bill (and charged to your credit card) when you disembark. But if you leave money in your "player's bank" all's they can do is tell you "you'll get a check....someday" and yet 4 months later I have nothing, and I am quite sure that money is gone forever. I mean $88 is really nothing compared to the cost of the cruise, and airfare, excursions etc...but this really leaves a bad taste in my mouth.

Ouch !

Last time we were on HAL they were using real dealers. Personally, I hate those electronic dealers, and I find the machine confusing.

Sorry about the $88, but it could have been worse. I’m sure this happens to a lot of players, but it’s not a scam. It’s just a machine that does what it’s told by a programmer.

as of January, NCL still had live games with dealers who breathe.

‘I have found over the years that the games are less friendly. Everyone thinks they’re a pro. Too many going all in pre flop. A strategy that kills them as soon as someone else gets a playable hand.

Backgammon has a similar problem with the doubling cube. Some use it to intimidate instead of a strategy.

edit: I just remembered the first ( and only ) time I played on one of those tables. Well, I was slowing the game down, a bit, because I didn’t understand how the table worked. Three hands in, someone said something. Typical, dark glasses, the only one not talking at the table. I said listen Helmuth, I’m here to have some fun, not take home a bracelet. Two hands later I left, angry and frustrated. I have never played an electronic poker table since.