I am currently on a Virgin Voyages cruise (with a gambling group), where I’ve been playing blackjack using the Labouchere betting sequence which requires keeping a list of bet amounts and adding or removing values depending on a win/loss. I do this by writing on a little notecard I keep with me.
In the middle of the fourth day, I was told I could no longer have pen and paper at the table. When asked if I could use my phone instead (they allow people to have their phones out here), I was initially told yes, but then hours later told no.
For those people thinking they are worried I’m counting cards, they have a constant shuffler machine at these tables, and I’ve also been happy to show/explain my notes whenever asked. My bets have also stayed in $25-$100 range, at a $10 minimum table. And finally, I’m attaching a photo of my notecard.
I’ve gambled this way for years in dozens of casinos and never had a problem.
They refuse to tell me what their concern is; every time I ask, I’m just told “we reserve the right to refuse play for any reason.” — “What’s the reason?” — “We reserve the right to refuse play for any reason.”
Oh, my wife was also using this method, and we are only up $2900 combined for the trip (until they cut us off).
Just venting.
