I'm a Poker Dealer and I still love my Job!! (Long) - Page 3

gilbert · #21 08-11-2006, 10:55 PM

balt,

I enjoyed your post. I dealt poker for four months last year and it was the best job I've ever had. Granted, it was in a new poker room in oklahoma that only had eight tables and it was usually all the same people that I got to know so I didn't have to put up with abuse etc. and the people in that area were just glad to have a place to play poker everyday. I would still be dealing if my family hadn't pressured me into finishing college.

Anyway, I agree, I loved the job. Everyday was different. If I wasn't in the box I would have been sitting at that same table so it was good incentive to be employed. I always had a little bit of cash since we were usually guaranteed 100 to 200 a night.

If anyone is unemployed or whatever and is looking for a new job and loves poker, I would definately recommend dealing.

MicroBob · #22 08-11-2006, 11:01 PM

I always got the impression that incorrect dealer procedures always irked Mason, especially if their table-banter was so much that it was extremely likely to lead to errors (and the dealer not necessarily being able to recap the action for the floor if necessary).
but it also seems as though he has a lot of respect for those dealers who do a really good job.

Lestat · #23 08-11-2006, 11:48 PM

[ QUOTE ]
I always got the impression that incorrect dealer procedures always irked Mason, especially if their table-banter was so much that it was extremely likely to lead to errors (and the dealer not necessarily being able to recap the action for the floor if necessary).
but it also seems as though he has a lot of respect for those dealers who do a really good job.

[/ QUOTE ]

I could be wrong. I haven't read everything Mason has written about dealers and I don't mean to speak for him. Just on how I intrepreted what little I've read. I've disagreed with pretty much all of it. From tipping, to how dealers should conduct themselves, to how players should conduct themselves in relation to dealers, etc.

balt999 · #24 08-14-2006, 11:39 PM

That's the impression I get about Mason's attitude's towards dealers. Not sure why it is. On the other hand, I've never dealt to him so I can't say anything bad about the guy.

I played in LA a few months ago, it pretty much sicken me how the dealers were treated and I was only playing 6-12!! I talked to former LA dealer who works where I do and he says that when he sits in the box, he knows 8 of the 10 people hate his guts..doesn't make for a great working environment.

balt999 · #25 08-14-2006, 11:40 PM

That's why I always look at the table dynamics to see who I'll be in the box as far as how much I speak.

balt999 · #26 08-14-2006, 11:41 PM

thanks for the kind words.

balt999 · #27 08-14-2006, 11:43 PM

It's not really necessary. I'm pretty happy with a buck or two a hand and a "Thanks." When I leave the box. But don't get me a wrong, I don't mind the occaional redbird

pokerlife · #28 08-16-2006, 03:07 AM

I'm not a serious poker player, and I play mostly for fun at casinos. I've always been pretty sympathetic to the dealers, and I tip dealers well. In my experience, most dealers are friendly, and they add to the enjoyment of just playing poker. But a dealer will come once in a while who is just in a foul mood or is generally not friendly. And they totally ruin the game experience for me.

For example, today, I noticed that one of the cards I received was pretty bent up. I'm a newb, so I don't know much about new setups and stuff like that. But I saw someone request a new setup at the table earlier, and they changed the decks. So I pointed out to the dealer that this card seemed bent, and it would be obvious for others to know what card that is. The dealer then shot back at me, "Well, what do you want me to do?!" ??? I don't know; I was merely pointing it out. He just scowled at me, and I was in a foul mood the entire time he dealt because I didn't understand why he would be angry at me for pointing that out. The table talk died down, and the general atmosphere just became dead.

Later on, another player told me that the automatic shuffling machine sometimes causes the cards to get bent that way. And there's nothing much that you can do about it. So why the hell couldn't this dealer just explain that to me? He just chose to attack me when all I did was ask because I thought that particular point may affect the game.

Also, a few dealers that I've encountered get angry when you point out a mistake. Today, a player next to me requested something and everybody at the table heard the request except the new lady dealer. So the player gently tapped her on the arm and repeated it, and she turned around and snapped back at him, "I didn't hear you!" The other players at the table had to validate that the player did request a certain action. I mean, it's just a trivial matter of pointing out a fact. Why do certain dealers get so worked up about it?

Anyway, after the bad dealers left, the game got fun again. The other dealers were much friendlier and willing to answer players' questions. Even when an annoying player who kept bothering the dealers with questions sat down, all the rest of the dealers were willing to accomodate the new player by explaining things to him.

I know that dealers are people. And people come with all kinds of characteristics and traits. But dealers are providing a service. And that service is gambling entertainment. I appreciate dealers that make the gambling experience fun. But when certain dealers ruin the mood, it kills the game. How would you feel if you went to a restaurant and you requested a napkin and the waiter just snapped at you? Or if you point out that you ordered onion rings instead of fries, and the waiter scowls at you? Would you appreciate their service and tip them well (or not at all) for a mistake that he/she made?

Photoc · #29 08-16-2006, 03:12 AM

[ QUOTE ]
Today, a player next to me requested something and everybody at the table heard the request except the new lady dealer. So the player gently tapped her on the arm and repeated it, and she turned around and snapped back at him, "I didn't hear you!"

[/ QUOTE ]

What a douche. How did this dealer know there was something said a second time if "I didn't hear you" was her response? If she didn't hear the player, then she wouldn't have said that because it would be the first time she was aware of it. "I didn't hear you the first time". wtf genious, how did you know I'm repeating it then?

psandman · #30 08-16-2006, 10:17 AM

[ QUOTE ]
[ QUOTE ]
Today, a player next to me requested something and everybody at the table heard the request except the new lady dealer. So the player gently tapped her on the arm and repeated it, and she turned around and snapped back at him, "I didn't hear you!"

[/ QUOTE ]

What a douche. How did this dealer know there was something said a second time if "I didn't hear you" was her response? If she didn't hear the player, then she wouldn't have said that because it would be the first time she was aware of it. "I didn't hear you the first time". wtf genious, how did you know I'm repeating it then?

[/ QUOTE ]

Gee i don't know how the dealer could know this lets see

Player taps dealer and says I asked you to change the deck. Wouldn't that be a give away top the dealer that there was a first time that she didn't hear?