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 certification of the basic dealer skills can be an invaluable aid to winning an employment opportunity.
You can achieve dealer certification through open, online education programs, such as those offered by Gatlin Education Services, or through attending a physical course like the one offered by Edison College's Collier County in Florida.
Getting a certificate in poker dealing will involve an investment to pay for the fees, but many offer flexible learning hours so that you can acquire new skills in your own time, without leaving your current job. It is an excellent way to get a head-start and make yourself a more desirable applicant in the interview process.
• What You Will Learn
While many people enjoy a good game of poker, few realize the skill involved in dealing and managing the cards. Whether you choose to apply for on-the-job training, or go for a certified poker dealing course, you will gain valuable insight into the mechanics of the game and the professional gambling world.
In general you will be taught:
• How to handle cards, including how to spread the cards, shuffle manually and by machine, dealing techniques such as American and European, boxing the deck and how to hold the cards for the quickest and easiest pitch.
• How to manage the pot. This may involve handling checks as well as dealing with the casino's cut and table fees
• The intricate rules of the game : Many training courses involve an in-depth study of various types of poker, including Hold 'Em, Seven Card Stud and Omaha. Betting procedures, table-layouts, antes and blinds all feature heavily in this area of the training.
• Professionalism: Dealing poker is about more than just the cards. Where risk and money is involved, tempers can fray, and knowing how to be courteous towards patrons and handle disputes can make the difference between being an average dealer, and an excellent asset to the casino staff.
• Career Opportunities
Over the past few years, poker has enjoyed a boom in popularity, dramatically increasing the demand for professional poker dealers in casinos across the country. There are hundreds of career opportunities in dozens of states for eager, skilled dealers, so why not get in on the action?
Gaining experience is critical in this field. By doing your research and being aware of all the opportunities, you can take the fast-track to higher earnings and greater job satisfaction.
A poker dealer can find work in:
• The Private Sector: Poker leagues, charity events and private games all offer well-paid work for professional poker dealers. However, the work is often a one-time event rather than a guaranteed position, and you will need to manage your own portfolio of clients and track down new opportunities on a regular basis.
• The Commercial Sector: Whether on land or the high seas, casinos offer steady employment for poker dealers. Although these pay less as a standard rate, the job is steady and has some element of stability. Normally, poker dealers start out in the commercial sector, building up contacts and honing their skills before moving onto private sector work.
• Getting The Job
So you have found the perfect vacancy for you. You have the skills, the willingness and the training, but you still have to complete a standard interview and the table audition. This is a test, not only of your gaming skills, but of you as a person. Your employer will be checking that you can handle the cards and the players competently and professionally, and making a good impression is essential.
• Be prepared: Know what time you must be at the interview and what you might need, such as your qualification certificates.
• Do your research: Visit the casino and study the hired poker dealers, making note of any unusual techniques. Ask the dealers questions while you play and remember their names; they can be helpful if you succeed in getting the job. The more you know about the casino before the interview, the more you can tailor your skills to meet their needs.
• Ask questions: This is not just about a potential employer getting to know you, but it's about you finding out what the job might be like. Do not be afraid to ask polite questions and increase your knowledge. Most would-be employers appreciate you taking the initiative, as it displays competence and intelligence.
• Relax: When it comes to the table audition, try and stay calm. It is easy to get flustered and confused under pressure, but this is an opportunity to show what you know, as well as your abilities to handle difficult situations and correct mistakes.
• Making the Most of It
When offered a job at a gambling organization, many people rest on their laurels, happy to go no further. However, there are many opportunities for progression which can increase your confidence, improve your skills and get you noticed. It can also help you to maximize your earnings, turning your enjoyable job into a valuable career.
• Networking: Get to know your players, your colleagues and your workplace. In any business, it is all about who you know, and getting noticed by the right person can open up employment opportunities in private lounges and one-off events.
• Practice: Never stop improving your skills. By developing personal techniques and adding a little flair to your routine, you can make sure that you stand out from the other dealers on staff.
• Personality: Knowing what you are doing is not enough to make you a stand-out dealer. By being friendly, open and genuinely interested in the lives of both regular players and new arrivals, you make yourself eligible for more tips. Additionally, you may find your bosses singing your praises as you bring more gamblers to the table with your brilliant attitude.
By making the most of your opportunities as a poker dealer, you can ensure that you never tire of the game.
• Conclusion
The thrilling world of professional gambling is one many look at from afar. However, it is possible for anyone to become a poker dealer and make a career out of working in both the commercial and private sectors.
By doing your research and learning the skills, you can make yourself an irresistible employee to gambling organizations in your area.