How To Become a Card Dealer

Casino

How To Become a Card Dealer

Casino

Man in smart clothes shuffling cards on a table with poker chips

How To Become a Card Dealer

Casino

Man in smart clothes shuffling cards on a table with poker chips

In life and gambling – be it online poker, slots, live dealer games or other casino table games – we have to play the hand we’re dealt. However, if you study, pursue the right education and put in the work, you can be the one playing card dealer – literally. If you’ve ever wondered what it takes to be a poker dealer or how much poker dealers make, you’ll want to keep reading. We get into everything you will need to do to stand on the other side of the casino table to help you decide if it’s something you’d like to invest your time in. Let’s look at what you’ll need, including card dealer school and skills.

The other side of the table: What is a poker dealer?

The poker card dealer is often portrayed as the person who gets given the runaround by the card-counting main characters of a movie. Essentially, the poker dealer or card dealer is responsible for dealing the cards during a hand of poker tournaments or other games such as blackjack.

Card dealers must have a comprehensive knowledge of all forms of poker. They deal cards, keep track of the pot, identify winning hands, turn over community cards and keep the peace among players at the table. Poker dealers are at the center of the poker experience and as hosts of the action, they are the difference between a memorable night and a forgettable one. The best poker dealers will make your live casino online experience worthy of raving about. Live dealer games rely on dealers to be engaging, with impeccable knowledge of the casino table game they’re in charge of.

A dealer needs to strike a delicate balance to be effective. For example, while creating an engaging environment for each game, they must also ensure that games move fast. Moving games along as fast as possible significantly contributes to a casino’s profitability.

Why are so many drawn to becoming a dealer? What’s in it for you besides being part of the exhilarating action? As with any job or career you might consider venturing into, aspects such as financial compensation, flexibility, working conditions and any other incentives or perks that come with the job are key considerations. Allow us to explain each of these and more in detail.

The pay

If you’re looking at a new career, you’ll be wondering about earning potential. So, how much do poker dealers make? Well, budding card dealers will be pleased to know that the pros can earn as much as $100,000 a year. Dealers make a large portion of their earnings from tips, so the friendlier and more personable you are, the more you’re likely to earn. Daily tips can average around $200.

Low barriers to entry

Unlike most jobs, becoming a dealer doesn’t require a lengthy and expensive degree. On average, poker dealer training and poker dealer school rarely take more than a few weeks to complete. Other typical entry requirements include a high school diploma or equivalent. Some employers will require gambling managers to have a college degree. Other than that, dedication and a few soft skills, the only thing standing between you and becoming a casino poker dealer is the availability of poker dealer jobs.

3 people studying with pencils and notepads on a wooden surface

The perks

What’s a job without perks? Often casinos are part of large corporations, which means that, more often than not, attractive benefits are on the table. From medical benefits and bonuses to tuition reimbursement for dealer-related college classes and 401k match programs, there are many benefits if you’re a casino worker. Are you a fan of food? You’re in luck. Many casino worker dining rooms are free, while others offer meals for as little as a couple of dollars. Finally, the more poker games you master, the more scope you will have to travel to different casinos around the casino circuit.

Flexibility

Few jobs offer the flexibility that a poker dealer job does since the work is shift-based and operates according to a schedule. That means you can work any shift and getting time off is easy. Additionally, as a dealer, you work one and a half hours at a time and have 30 min breaks. That means eight hours on the job only amounts to six hours of actual work and two hours of breaks.

Your average day at work usually involves one of three shifts: the day shift that runs from 11 am to 7 pm; the mid-shift that runs from 7 pm to 3 am; and the night shift that runs from 10 pm to 6 am.

Variety

Variety is — and will always be – the spice of life. As a poker dealer, the opportunity to travel is always just a decision away because casinos often allow their dealers to transfer from one company-owned property to another. Experienced card dealers also have the opportunity to move into different roles within the department.

Working conditions

Surroundings are kept pristine, lighting is good and adequate ventilation keeps you comfortable. Work is always entertaining because your colleagues are just as charismatic as you are, having done their rounds and accumulated their share of fun and barely-believable stories. Camaraderie is common in this industry. If you have the thick skin to deal with the occasional nasty or disappointed casino player and have a positive outlook on life, this job can be a fun career choice. Casino players are also encouraged to know how to treat casino dealers for an all-around great experience on the casino floor.

How to become a professional card dealer

Empty colorful casino with poker tables and slot machines

Know what’s required: The blueprint of a card dealer

Before you profess your undying love for casino card games and pursue a career in it, you might want to know what you’re getting into. Here’s what a typical shift might look like, if you’re wondering about how to become a poker dealer or card dealer:

  • Setting up the table before games begin
  • Welcoming players to the table
  • Ensuring wagers are set up accordingly and all chips are ready
  • Giving poker players a rundown of the rules and procedures, ensuring all bets lie within the limits
  • Making sure games remain fast-paced and fluid
  • Keeping an accurate record of bets and managing the bets accordingly
  • Staying vigilant about illegal activity and reporting to the floor manager immediately when such activity occurs

As you can see, it’s easier said than done, but as long as you have the following qualities and hone these skills, you’ll do great:

  • Exemplary communication and interpersonal skills
  • Team working skills
  • Customer service excellence
  • Numerical mastery and quick thinking
  • Attention to detail for prolonged periods
  • Emotional intelligence and conflict resolution
  • Carry yourself well
  • Impressive dexterity
  • Stamina
  • Organizational skills, money management and integrity

Training: Learning the tricks of the trade

We always poke fun at the labor market for placing ludicrous expectations on applicants, such as wanting a wealth of experience before even walking into an entry-level job. Unfair as it may seem, you will need more than a passion for poker and other card games to be a successful card dealer. Knowing how to deal cards like a casino dealer is non-negotiable, so attending card dealer school for proper poker dealing training is a must. As a dealer, you’re responsible for managing the flow of play and ensuring an enjoyable experience for everyone at the table. 

A pair of hands with cards spread across and floating in between them

At card dealer school, you will learn an extensive range of poker games and master them until everything they entail becomes second nature. You’re also required to get a gambling license to become a dealer and you won’t be permitted to deal legally in a casino without it. In most cases, the license fee is your responsibility. If you want to be a live dealer who deals with blackjack online casino games or any live casino game, you’ll need to learn how to operate and control these games. Learning how to be an online casino dealer will provide many unmatched perks. You should also have a friendly personality as you will be on camera; a chatty and engaging personality is encouraged while also being able to listen to what others are saying. With all these skills, you could also learn how to become a WSOP poker dealer and experience a more competitive atmosphere.

How much do poker dealers make?

As stated earlier, as a professional dealer, your card dealer salary can get as high as $100,000 a year. This is particularly the case at some of the more established casinos in the market. But how is this broken down? 

Generally speaking, card dealers make around $30 to $40 hourly. With time – and depending on the casino – this hourly rate could increase to $50 an hour. As of August 30, 2021, the average salary for poker dealers is $39,182 per year. Factoring in the unprecedented pandemic events of 2020 and social distancing requirements, employment of gambling service workers, including card dealers, is projected to grow by 10% from 2019 to 2029. This is much faster than the average of other occupations, thanks to the increasing popularity of gambling establishments.

To earn on the upper end of the scale, you will have to work in a high-end casino and create and maintain an excellent rapport with casino goers.

Lots of 100 dollar bills floating everywhere in front of a plain white background.

Game on: Play poker online

Becoming a dealer at a casino is an exciting path to venture on that can open several doors and expose you to unbelievable opportunities. Whether you do it as a full-time job or as a side gig for extra money, it’s guaranteed to be an exciting experience.

If you prefer to sit on the other side of the table or play poker online, our site has a great offering for you.

You can play online poker for real money or polish your game with our free online poker games. Our online poker games offer the same thrills and test of skills as their real-life counterparts. Enjoy poker variations such as Texas Hold’em online and so much more. If you’re looking for other online casino table games, we have a range of blackjack, roulette and baccarat games to play.

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