by Michael Totten

Created on: March 02, 2009   Last Updated: April 15, 2012

You always dreamed of becoming a professional poker dealer. Maybe you fell in love with the glitz and glam and storied history of Las Vegas, or maybe a dreamy riverboat cruise is more your speed. Now you stand at the threshold of your dream, and are wondering how to turn it into reality.

Look no further. This article will tell you exactly what you need to know about what it takes to become a poker dealer in the United States.

The profession of dealing poker requires four qualities:

1. Technical competence. Besides a solid knowledge of the game, this also includes technical skills such as how to shuffle, pitch, and drop a flop. The dealer is responsible for making the game an enjoyable experience for all involved, and this begins with competence.

2. Attention to detail. This can't be overstressed. Poker is a game of subtleties, and the little things matter.

3. People skills. Some tables enjoy light-hearted banter, others want no distractions. Whatever the type of game, the dealer is responsible for making the game flow smoothly.

4. Willingness to improve. This is what separates average poker dealers from the truly great.

If you have these qualities, then you might have the makings of a world-class poker dealer.

• Salary

A qualified poker dealer in the United States can expect to start at minimum wage plus tips. This varies greatly from state to state, from a minimum of $2.13 up to $8.55 per hour. A top dealer can earn as much as $80,000 a year, most of it from tips.

Unlike the pit games where tips are pooled, poker dealers usually keep their own tips. Some casinos will take 5-20% of a poker dealer's tips for the tip pool. Tips average one dollar per hand, so allowing a poker dealer to keep his or her own tips is an incentive to deal as fast and as well as possible. The better you are, the more you make.

Most casinos require a minimum of 15 hands per 30-minute down. New poker dealers often struggle to manage 10 hands per down, while an experienced poker dealer can deal as many as 30 hands per down. Before you start calculating, keep in mind that no poker dealer deals cards straight through the shift. Some downs will be spent on chiprun, others on breaks.

Casinos have three shifts. The day shift runs from 10 am to 6 pm, the swing shift runs from 6 pm to 2 am, and the graveyard shift runs from 2 am to 10 am. The newest employees are usually assigned to the graveyard shift, the least profitable in tips. The most profitable shift is the swing shift, especially

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