The glamor of a Las Vegas lifestyle is the dream of many, but how can you go about making it a reality? With more casinos being built every year, there has never been a better time to enter the exciting world of professional gambling. Demand for poker dealers is on the increase, and organizations are always on the look-out for confident, friendly people to join their staff.

The Role

Simply put, the role of the dealer in a game of poker is to deal out the cards and monitor the game, while making the entire experience enjoyable for the patrons. However, there is more to dealing cards than smiling and small talk. Dealers must also:

* Be proficient at shuffling, distributing cards to the players and handling any community cards as the game requires.

* Control the action during a hand, such as prompting players to take their turn, correcting players who take action out of turn and announcing new players to the table.

* Manage the pot, verifying the amounts of bets and raises by players, read players' hands at showdown, declare winners, manage side-pots and collect folded hands. Additionally, a dealer may be charged with keeping track of the money in the pot and ensuring the casino gets its cut.

* Communicate with other casino staff to help with dispute resolution, and to keep the pit boss informed of the state of play at their table.

While this may sound complicated, a basic knowledge of math, good interpersonal and communication skills, and a willingness to learn are all you need to start the journey towards becoming a professional dealer.

Earnings and Necessary Qualifications

Poker dealers officially earn minimum wage, but tips often provide a lucrative source of additional income. With the right personal skills, a high level of confidence and competent dealing techniques, the sky is the limit! A dealer in a high-end casino can make in excess of $70,000 a year.

Professional qualifications in card dealing are preferred, rather than essential, and a high school diploma is the minimum certification most dealer jobs require. However, to earn a decent living from dealing poker, it is important to give yourself every opportunity to stand out from the crowd.

Getting Additional Qualifications

Many casinos and other employers will offer on-the job training for their new dealers and only require that an applicant holds a high school diploma or a general educational development certificate. However, in a challenging job market it pays to stand out, and having

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