Poker Dealer Feedback: What's it like being a dealer?

Trail_Boss_Mitch · #1 04-19-2007, 03:01 PM

I'm interested in becoming a poker dealer part-time...to help feed by bankroll. Any suggestions? What's the best way to get on at a local casino? How do you find local private games who need a dealer?

dudemanjack · #2 04-19-2007, 05:06 PM

I deal poker in Atlantic City and I like it. I played poker a lot before becoming a dealer so there wasn't really much for me to learn to get started - pretty much shuffling and pitching techniques.

The first thing you should do is apply for your casino license. It took me about 6-8 weeks to get mine. I think it was $350 or somewhere around there. Remember, this is New Jersey and can vary from state to state.

As far as getting a job...ask around. Check websites and talk to people while you are playing. Ask the floor supervisors - especially any of the ones who recognize you when you come in. When I got my job I was pretty lucky...I had just got my license and noticed a casino was hiring. Like four days later I auditioned and got a job.

TheJunkyardGod · #3 04-19-2007, 05:51 PM

How did you apply? I've been filling out online applications with no luck. Is it better to go down there in person?

Brokeski · #4 04-19-2007, 05:54 PM

im not sure if this was mentioned yet but im pretty sure, at least in california, its best to go to dealer school first, its like 2 weeks long and im about to consider doing it.

dudemanjack · #5 04-20-2007, 04:07 AM

[ QUOTE ]
How did you apply? I've been filling out online applications with no luck. Is it better to go down there in person?

[/ QUOTE ]

I think I got pretty lucky. I applied only to a Harrah's owned casino (would rather not say which one) and got a call right away from human resources..got a quick interview than an audition for the following Monday. There were only like 10 of us. The audition was a cinch - at least half of the people there were just TERRIBLE so I was pretty confident I would get the job.

It may help to go in and talk to a pit manager about whether they are hiring. If nothing else, they will at least know you a little and hopefully made a good impression.

Gonso · #6 04-20-2007, 06:03 AM

My first dealer job was in a Harrah's property. I remember that like half of the applicants in the room were Chinese and couldn't speak a word of English (apparently they have dealer schools in NY where they could learn games w/o learning English). They couldn't even answer the HR lady when asked what games they had - they were politely excused.

They collected 20 applicants and scheduled us throughout the day on Wednesday. We got our temp employee sticker, went to the pit, and they just had us tap out a dealer on game. The girl behind me was nervous or something because she was dropping cheques all over the place, and one of the other tables was blowing up on another applicant. I had a couple tables of people who were anywhere from friendly to miserable, just have a thick skin.

Python49 · #7 04-20-2007, 08:45 AM

yeah but how much did you start off making and can reasonably expect weekly

mothmandan · #8 04-20-2007, 04:21 PM

Minimum wage (maybe a bit more) + tips. Tips vary (by the casino and by the day) and casino policy decides whether they are pooled and then divided by the number of hours worked or kept by the individual.

Dan's 2 cents

Photoc · #9 04-20-2007, 11:11 PM

[ QUOTE ]
yeah but how much did you start off making and can reasonably expect weekly

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Start off? Well, here's an on call position for you, you might work 1 day a week on grave and make 50 bucks for the night/morning. Starting off is the worst for any dealer, worst shift, lowest hours, you will be slow (low hands per hour = lower possibility for tips) and so on. Being a dealer is not glamorous and you aren't going to get rich on it. You couldn't even pay for most nice apartments in Vegas on a brand new job in poker. Budget Suites anyone?

I've been in this business for 11 years now, in many aspects of it, including table games, poker, management, ect.. I am looking to not deal again after the next year. It's been fun, but it's not where I want to be for the rest of my life. This business yes, dealing, hell no.

schwerd2 · #10 04-21-2007, 10:52 AM

[ QUOTE ]
[ QUOTE ]
How did you apply? I've been filling out online applications with no luck. Is it better to go down there in person?

[/ QUOTE ]

I think I got pretty lucky. I applied only to a Harrah's owned casino (would rather not say which one) and got a call right away from human resources..got a quick interview than an audition for the following Monday. There were only like 10 of us. The audition was a cinch - at least half of the people there were just TERRIBLE so I was pretty confident I would get the job.

It may help to go in and talk to a pit manager about whether they are hiring. If nothing else, they will at least know you a little and hopefully made a good impression.

[/ QUOTE ]

you must deal for the showboat, caesars is hiring right now full time, you should move over there bro, more $$$