How to Become a Poker Dealer

[mathtree]

I actually applied to be a poker dealer at an Indian casino nearby but found out the hard way that they only hire Native American Indians or Asians at the casino where I tried.

 

[dino]

great info, thanks for sharing the info.
I am not looking to get into "poker dealer" career, but it's nice to know for someone who search for the info how to get into the business.

 

[Andrew Popov]

Good article. The more useful it is that I do not have the experience of a dealer in a poker game. Perhaps, this knowledge will be useful to me someday.

Poker dealers can earn in excess of $30-an-hour, get to sit alongside some of the top players in the world, and have an intimate insight into the game.

By the way, in American terms - is it a good salary?

 

[chicopaw]

becoming a poker dealer, would be interesting,being able to sit among some pro's would be amasing, I believe if you enjoy poker, working as a dealer for awhile would provide yourself a mass amount knowledge to the betting structures and game stradegy from persons that have played over the years

 

[AcooltartA]

I have a buddy who recently went to "Dealer School." He said it was very difficult but he also doesn't really play to much poker in general. He was more looking at the benefits of a good paying job. I think if anyone has a solid background in playing the games they're going to be dealing they've got a decent chance of being a good dealer. I'm pretty sure it also costs money to for the course which is kind of a Catch22 because most people looking for a job aren't looking to have to pay for that opportunity.

 

[CadoARAJ]

It would be for sure very interesting to be a dealer, especially at big events and dealing cards for pro players.
However, in my case, I think I would not be a good dealer. In home games, I love to be the dealer, especially for mixing the cards. I am expert on in, making that noises trrrrrrr with two parts of the deck making in one.
But I am not very fast in seeing cards, espcially to my eyesight problems. In fact, I would be a disaster.
Beeing a dealer is a very good way to you watch and learn a game from outside [without any psychological involvement], seeing the greatest players acting their mental and skill game.
Also, I liked the interesting wage, about 21k, and great tips posibility for the dealers. It is fair the lucky winner share a bit with them.

 

[PsychoVas]

Well. it seems that I could a fairly good dealer, but live poker in Greece is very limited. In fact it is permitted only in casinos and those are very few.
I mean that I am indeed sociable and focused, math is my field of study and I am covered in pig-skin. My flaw is that I might be a smart-mouth and issue quite some ironic remarks. Thus tilting rude ones even more and the whole thing could develop into a saloon brawl...
Anyway, as it is not an option, lots of respect to those that are sweating for players to have fun.

 

[whiskers77]

Thanks for showing us the other side of view of the tables! It is really a very interesting article. I didn't expect, that some of the dealers can earn that much money honestly.

But I also think, that it is not an easy job. Mainly because you have to deal with drunk and bothering people. You probably always need to be very neutral about this, same like Switzerland.
I guess, I also could not be like this, if someone would really bother me at the table.
I probably could not keep calm.

As I never played live so far, it is also good to know about the tipping for the dealers.
And yes, I think, it is also good to do like this. It is kind of appreciation to their work, that they do daily.

 

[mathtree]

If you are serious, go to Vegas or any non-Indian casino to stand a chance of being hired, unless you are Asian or American Indian.Also, California has poker rooms galore to choose from.

 

[AlexStar1981]

I probably won't be able to become a dealer even if I want to. In principle I would cope with the responsibilities of the dealer, but I don't tolerate boorish attitude and can't handle it when some drunk or just a freak start bychit, or God forbid, to humiliate me. I can knock you in the face!!!

 

[djasset]

you can meet a lot of great poker people if you do it for a while, and learn aspects of the
game that may have been impercipient otherwise (it is a little upsetting that this spellcheck doesn't realize "impercipient" is a word).

 

[step055]

Thank you for a very interesting article. As for me, I think that this job is very interesting but very specific. Working as a Poker Dealer means not only to have some features, mentioned in the article, but to be ready to spend your life in close connection with this game no matter what. As for me, I prefer to play Poker when I want because it's my favourite game and I really enjoy it. But I am not ready to make it my profession.

 

[ammje]

Very good article, but I do not want to be dealer, I think I'd be very nervous and commit a mistake, I prefer to play poker.

 

[Misely31]

It is interesting to see the dealer doing the work at the Poker tables, the skills they have, the knowledge of all the games and modalities, the treatment of the players and the public, the handling of the cards and of course the love of poker for endure so many hours of play. In addition to dealing with players who are imprudent or rude. But at the end of all this I would not think to be one of them, my respects.

 

[acidburnfx]

Interesting, already thought of that. Grasping many poker variants can be tricky and sorting out split pots takes a lot of focus require a lot of training. However, if it is possible for you to earn a few more days on the trip to enjoy the city a little, the chance to travel to several places should be the most enjoyable part of the trip.

 

[Manjerica1]

In Brazil It is quite bad... Dealers do not get much money... But It is still a job of respect

 

[akmost]

Being a Hold em dealer is the easy way , the only difficult part is the side pots but through experience those math problems will be also a piece of cake.
Dealing with outraged players after a while it will be just another day at work but seems like Omaha dealer feels like a headache for me or other variations more complicated.

I usually see the same televised dealers at wsop maybe they are the top and the fastest or maybe they are the same staff every year but I have to admit that they do their job perfectly!

 

[Nelson1712]

Actually I think it's hard work in the good sense of the word because as you say you will face reactions from all kinds of players you have at the table .. that's why I prefer to be a player instead of a dealer

 

[chronical]

As always CC comes with something cool =)
Never thought about it but seem something I should read, after all you should know the person what and how's that is dealing you cards.More informative for me than a call for action but interesting ether way. So thanks.
*loved the kids fphoto in the green hat*
P.S. If you play live dont forget to TIP =)

 

[vovqa93]

Thoughts

Hm. Actually never was thinking about myself in the poker dealer action, but if I analise many things:
1) If you love poker, it could be interesting, but not easy job as it is for the first look!
2) If you love communicate with people, and observe emotions/psychology things of people, it can be really interesting;
3) It's a sitting job, but you should move alot to grab cards very often, so you always will be in tonus
4) Every time I observe some games/poker videos, it's really strange how players drop/muck the cards, so dealer must to do alot more job.( If he/she already should count cheaps, speak of actions etc. ) not easy as we can think for a first look about poker dealer.

 

[SharkyJohn]

I have also always dealing the cards while playing with friends! But sometimes it is hard to deal with all the pot math and controling the game. The Poker Dealer Guide is such a useful thread for those who want to become the dealer ( I hope there are a lot of ). When becoming proffesional there is always an opportunity to deal the cards to the most famous pkker players,which is amazing!!!

 

[Bozovicdj]

In most games when I play with friends, they are begging me to deal. I have very quick hands, and am always mindful of the action and who needs to play etc.
Aside from poker, I have dealt cards at the blackjack table, which is actually super easy, far easier then dealing in poker cause there is less math, chip counting etc.
Regardless, I wouldn't like to be full-time dealer cause I'd rather spend my nights playing the game, going out, being with friends and family, then work-deal.

 

[rasikbasukala1]

hello guys ...

 

[mk0523]

I think it would be a very interesting, although difficult, profession. One of the most difficult things, I think, would be handling rude/abusive players. I'm not sure I'm cut out for that.

That would probably be my favorite part of the job actually

 

[Miguel Chacon]

Really Interesting article I enjoyed reading it a lot even made me think about it it could be and really fun job and away to stay close to poker although the salary might not be much but I think $21K is like the minimum salary per year for a dealer you could make a lot with the tips and also dealing on the high stake that's where becomes more interesting hehehe could be an awesome job for little while and see if it goes well to save some and to build a decent bankroll and play online poker is what I would do xD