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Imagine having a career that's always fun, exciting and lets you play your favorite game? No other job could be better for an avid poker player than to become a poker dealer. If you've ever wondered how to get a job as a poker dealer, wonder no more. The fact is you do need specific knowledge and skills to stand out in the crowd clamoring to become poker dealers. If you're serious about dealing poker for a living, first learn what it takes to become top notch in your profession, and you'll be well on your way to making a career out of the game you love to play.

Find a State Approved Poker Dealer School

Once you've decided that becoming a poker dealer is the career of choice for you, the very first step you should take is finding a reputable, state approved poker dealer school. In your search, you'll find not only "brick and mortar" schools, but also poker dealer courses you can take over the internet; check out all the options available to you. Traditional programs can be found in states throughout the US, and maybe where you wouldn't expect to find them. There are poker dealer schools located in New Hampshire, New York, and Florida, as well as in places you would expect, like California, Washington and of course Nevada. Include on line poker dealer courses, and you can see your choices are many. Click right here on poker dealer schools for a more complete list of schools and the states where you'll find them.

Become a Certified Poker Dealer

Set yourself apart from the rest in a competitive marketplace, by attending an accredited poker dealer school. Be sure your chosen program allows you to become certified in poker dealing; some employers require a certificate before they even let you get a foot in the door. To become accepted into a state approved poker dealer program, you should have your GED or high school diploma. When the poker dealer industry began to boom a few years back, students often found the competition stiff when applying to the certified programs. These schools still tend to fill to capacity quickly, and having your diploma or GED can give you that edge over any competitors.

How much does Poker Dealer School Cost?

Fees for a certified poker dealer program range from about $400 to $600 on average for a basic poker dealer course, but depending on the program and what it offers, the tuition could increase to $1000 or higher. As with everything, it always pays to shop around, but also keep in mind the old adage, "you get what you pay for," which oftentimes means "quality costs more."
Just a few examples of some state approved poker dealer schools are:

The Casino College, which has nine campuses; 5 in California alone, 1 in Colorado, 1 in Michigan, 1 in Arizona and even 1 in Singapore. One option offered to out of state students is the Education Vacation Plan which includes a 10 day hotel reservation for $1199. The basic poker dealer course is fully accredited and takes 90 hours to complete, with a cost of $499, including books and fees. A few examples of what Casino College students will learn are: Seven Card Stud, Texas Hold 'Em, shuffling, handling and dealing cards, as well as how to handle security issues. You'll graduate from the Casino College as a certified poker dealer with lifetime job placement assistance and the availability of free refresher courses, if you ever need them. The College claims 100% job placement. Call 1-888-28-POKER for more information.

The Reno Tahoe Job Training Academy in Reno, Nevada is another fully accredited poker dealer school, which offers a 3 1/2 week course and costs $540. Students here learn all the basics including shuffling and making change, as well as how to handle difficult customer. After completing all requirements you'll graduate with a Certificate of Completion. Casino Dealing Courses Level I, II and III are additional programs this school offers featuring other games such as 21, roulette and Pia-Gow poker. Level I is a 13 week course and costs about $2000, Level II is 16 weeks and costs about $2400, and Level III is a 26 week course costing about $4000. It's often thought that knowing other games besides poker helps a poker dealer find employment more easily. Call 775-329-5665 for more information.

The Seattle Gaming Academy in the state of Washington takes about 8 weeks to compete. Tuition is $950 including the cost of books, plus a $50 non refundable registration fee. A high school diploma or GED is required to apply, otherwise you must pass a special entrance exam to attend the program. Graduation requirements include passing a live audition, with a required score of 80 out of 100 points, to earn a Certificate of Completion. A free additional course is offered to all failing students. The Seattle Gaming Academy offers qualifying students job placement, too. Call 206-781-8700 for more information.

In Florida, Edison Community College offers a Casino Dealer Course that teaches students the "appropriate methods, techniques, and mannerisms necessary to gain employment;" as well as, "the opportunity for students to have their skill progression critiqued by a professional poker dealer instructor." The course provides students with a web camera, and takes 100 hours to complete; tuition is $1395 for this certified program.

What Else does it Take to Become a Great Poker Dealer?

Regardless which program you decide to attend, it should never be taken for granted by the poker dealer school you've chosen that you already know the basics for dealing an excellent game of poker. Your courses should cover: the rules of all the well known poker games like Texas Hold 'Em, Omaha, and Seven Card Stud, how to properly wash, shuffle and handle the cards, how to properly cut the deck, pitch and deal the cards, how to turn, burn and never flash the cards, understanding limits and forced bets such as antes and bring ins, how to change cash into chips, how to handle money, such as making change and cutting checks, how to ensure that every bet is correct, know which player bets first and how to properly check everyone's hand to determine who won.

Show 'Em a Good Time!

Knowing the proper mechanics of dealing poker is very important; but what sets you apart from the rest (not to mention pays off big in tips,) are the elements of personality, charm, courteousness and class you bring to your table. An excellent poker dealer school should include lessons in good customer service because, as a poker dealer, you will of couse be interacting with the public. You'll need to know how to tactfully assist less experienced players at your table, as well as how to communicate clearly and politely. By the same token, your poker dealer school should teach you how to handle situations you may invariably encounter with unruly, angry or drunk customers, too.

Job Opportunities for Poker Dealers

The poker dealer industry can be very lucrative, in spite of the country's current economy. Although growth has slowed from what it was in recent years, the same can be said for many professions.

One career opportunity that currently holds much potential for poker dealers are poker tournaments; go to the Atlantic City Poker Club website for information about getting work with them as a tournament director or poker dealer. According to dealer-trainer.com, an on line poker dealer school, the best places for poker dealers to find work are "poker leagues, charity events and and private games." The website also sites casinos as still being a viable option for pokerdealer jobs.

Work for poker dealers can be still be found all over the country; go to indeed.com for job listings. As of this writing, the website shows the top cities for poker dealer employment are Las Vegas, NV; Milwaukee, WI; Tulsa, OK; Coarsegold, CA; and Atlantic City, NJ.

If you would like to go into business for yourself there are many opportunities for a poker dealer through the private sector. You could deal games at private events such as parties or tournaments. The website dialadealer.com connects professional poker dealers with anyone staging a poker event. Register on line and create a personal profile; those in need of a poker dealer can log on to hire you.

Become a poker affiliate and promote the game you love; you just need your own website. Check out pokeraffiliateworld.com for details.

To break into the poker dealer business, you may at first have to take jobs such as a poker brush, a chip runner or a cage runner; or you might have to work on call or take a second shift or a graveyard shift position. Although entry level, these jobs will get your feet wet and in the door of a competitive industy, and may very well lead to the poker dealer job of your dreams!

Learn more about this author, Debora Chaves.
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