Casino Dealers: Masters of Multitasking and Game Management

Being a casino dealer is a demanding job that may seem like a dream profession for players who know their baccarat and poker. You can learn some nifty shuffling tricks and get to officiate games nonstop, perks that seem a lot better than many other manual labor jobs. But make no mistake, it is tough work with long hours, and you need to be able to retain high levels of energy throughout your shift.

There are definitely perks to this profession, including occasional travel perks, and if you are working at a casino resorts, all kinds of discounts and offers. And we haven’t mentioned the tips – you could make heaps of money with generous patrons. Here, we will look at how to become a dealer, and all the associated responsibilities. We will run through the pros and cons of being a dealer, and compare different types of dealers.

How to Become a Dealer

You need the proper accreditation and training to apply for a dealer position at a casino. Casinos have strict rules for anyone who wishes to deal at their tables, and you will need to meet the following eligibility criteria:

• Have a high school diploma (or equivalent)
• Obtain a gaming license
• Be at least 18 years old
• Pass a pre-employment drug test
• Have knowledge of a number of games (depends on casino)
• Must be flexible to work weekends and holidays

You can go to a gaming license school and get your certificate, or sometimes, casinos may sponsor you. When a casino gives you a scholarship, it may be on the condition that you sign a pre-contract with them. This means, you will have to work for the casino once you finish school. The cost of the tuition varies heavily depending on where you are based, and how many games you learn. Generally, you need to have completed a fixed number of hours before you can apply for the exam, and once you have passed that, you are good to go.

Apply for a casino in your area, and don’t limit your options to only big establishments on the Vegas Strip or Atlantic City. By starting at a smaller establishment and working hard, you can gain invaluable experience. At a more reputable institution, you will have fewer chances to shine as a fresh graduate.

Responsibilities of Croupiers

Dealers, or croupiers, need to be masters of management. They usually have 8-hour long shifts and must stay alert at all times. The games need to run smoothly without any error, and they must keep track on the players to ensure that they are not cheating or misbehaving.

Rarely are dealers asked to just manage blackjack or stick to roulette, most casinos will need individuals who are proficient in numerous games. A dealer may be called into action quickly to replace another dealer who is beginning to tire. High stakes players may request to have a variant or alternative casino game, and if the pit boss agrees, the dealer must be able to serve them their desired casino game. While dealers are not expected to know every single casino game out there, they must have quite a broad knowledge of all the basic games. Generally, they will need to be able to manage games of:

• Blackjack
• Baccarat
• Casino Poker (games vs the house)
• Poker (Peer to peer)

But at larger casinos or those that specialise in exotic variants, dealers will have to master more games. Specifically, popular variants of the card games listed above, such as Spanish 21, Five Card Draw, Three Card Poker, Rummy, Punto Banco and Baccarat Banque. And by proficiency, we mean that these games should be second nature to the dealers.

The third card rule in baccarat, card value in blackjack and poker hands are not just things you should know. You should recognise winning hands in poker or when a third card must be drawn in baccarat instantly.

Skills Needed to Thrive as a Dealer

Learning the casino games is no easy task. Mastering casino games is done through extensive practice, interns can even play online demo versions to become more familiar with the games. Unfortunately, mastering the games is just the tip of the iceberg, as there are lots of other skills that are necessary.

Multitasking While Dealing

The gaming experience for customers would be quite poor if dealers kept their heads down and ignored them. Professionals can deal while interacting with the players, answering any kinds of questions they may have. They also build a more fun gaming experience, all while keeping the games running smoothly.

Casino dealers must also be vigilant for any cheating. There are cameras spread out across the casino and security teams analysing players. But dealers also have to be alert to any kind of cheating and must stop any players they suspect of doing anything illegal.

High Levels of Endurance

8-hour shifts are just the start, as dealers may be called to work overtime if there are any shortages of staff. While working on the casino floor, dealers must sustain the gaming quality across their whole shift. If they start to make mistakes, the dealers will instantly be relieved of their duties and replaced with a fresh dealer.

That will, of course, bode poorly for the dealer. They may have a few chances to cut shifts short, but if they consistently make mistakes or fail to meet the 8-hour requirements, they can be let go.

Crucial People Skills

You shouldn’t consider being a dealer unless you have good people skills. At a base level, dealers must communicate with players and maintain customer satisfaction.

They must also be able to deal with rude or misbehaving patrons. This starts with giving warnings, and if it escalates, the dealers must stop the game. The pit boss and supporting staff are there to escort the player off the premises, but the dealer must handle the situation while they make their way to the table.

Good people skills can pay off, literally. A friendly dealer can earn more in tips than one who does not provide a satisfactory gaming experience. Players who win big sums of money often tip their dealers as a thank you.

Pros and Cons of Dealing Casino Games

You must love the games and the thrill of the casino to survive as a dealer. The responsibilities and skills are so multifaceted that if you don’t have that love, you will find it difficult to cope.

Pros to Being a Dealer

Arguably, the biggest perk of being a dealer is the tips. You can earn far more than your basic salary, but it all depends on your shift. If you have an afternoon or evening shift, you run a better chance of serving more patrons. The 4 am to noon shift is often called the graveyard shift, and casinos are usually less full during those hours. This means fewer tips.

Other pros include discounts to affiliated stores or retailers, and that there is a corporate ladder to climb. After gaining experience, you can transfer to bigger establishments, or even apply to become a pit boss.

Cons of Being a Dealer

The base salary, unfortunately, can be very low. The average earnings for a casino dealer in the USA is $44k to $72k per year (base salary). With tips and benefits, the average salary jumps up to $56k up to $104k. Casino dealers must be prepared to work around 40 hours on their feet. The physical requirements mean it is not a job that you can comfortably still do in your 50s or 60s.

Dealers must also be thick-skinned and not respond to abuse from rude players. They will meet plenty of annoying patrons and must be able to carry on handling the games. Another con is that dealers are constantly surveyed by the casino cameras. They cannot make mistakes and must do their best to sustain a positive atmosphere at the tables.

Different Types of Dealers

We generally think about dealers as smartly dressed game masters in elegant casino resorts. But there are lots of different types of dealer positions out there. The responsibilities, shifts, and salaries can vary heavily, as do the necessary skills.

• General Casino Dealer
• Cruise Dealer
• Tribal Casino Dealer
• High-End Dealer
• Online Casino Dealer
• Private Event Dealer

Some dealers have to spend months away at sea or ocean as they serve casino games on cruise lines. Tribal casino dealers may be required to specialise in specific local games. Generally, these positions are filled by the members of the tribe. The high-end dealer is the position most dealers dream of cracking into. Imagine serving high stakes tables and getting tipped hundreds, if not thousands of dollars.

Some dealers manage online casino games. The action is streamed to gamers all over the world. These dealers have to be extra cautious not to make any mistakes. Private events may be managed by general casino dealers, but some casinos have special people to handle these games. To enhance the quality of these private VIP games, the dealers have to be more friendly and responsive to the players. After all, they are delivering an exclusive gaming experience.

Is Dealing Your Dream Job or Not?

The demands and skills needed make this job quite difficult. Proficiency in table games, good people skills, and a high level of vigilance are a must. But if you enjoy the atmosphere of the casinos and the games themselves, it may be your perfect job.

It is by no means an easy ride, but with the right disposition and mental fortitude, you can thrive as a dealer. The career path is quite diverse, and once you are established, you will have an abundance of choices on how to further your career.