Have you ever wondered what the world of gambling looks like from the other side of the felt table, that is, the side from where you’re not trying to keep your call or call your opponents’ bluff? Well, that’s what it looks like from a croupier’s point of view. You may be wondering what a croupier is. Well, let’s just say that apart from the thrill and excitement of online slots, if you also love the glamor of Las Vegas and Atlantic City, then a job as a croupier may be just the thing for you.
What Is a Croupier?
If you’ve ever searched “croupier meaning?” online, this is for you.
Originally a “croupier” referred to the person who stood behind a gambler with additional reserves of money to back up the bets of a player during a game. The word has subsequently come to refer to a person employed to assist in the conduct of a game at a gambling table. Sometimes also called a “dealer,” a croupier in a casino helps to create ambiance and provide entertainment during gameplay while they’re directing action at the table.
At face value, that may seem to be all a croupier is expected to do, but in reality, the role of a croupier is much more nuanced. For instance, some people go to specific casinos just to enjoy the interaction with their favorite croupiers while they play casino table games.
Let’s take a more in-depth look at how to become a croupier and what it’s like being one.
What Does a Croupier Do?
While you may have some ideas about what a croupier does, you may not be aware of everything the job entails. Essentially, a croupier works at casino games tables where they’re responsible for effortlessly controlling a game’s progress while simultaneously explaining the game rules to a beginner, keeping the conversation with experienced players going and calculating and effecting payouts in the form of casino chips. It’s also a croupier’s responsibility to look out for any players who may be cheating and to report this to their supervisor or casino security.
How to Become a Croupier
There are no specific qualifications required to become a croupier. However, you’ll need a good knowledge of basic mathematics because collecting bets and paying out successful bettors means you need to be able to think on your feet and have an aptitude for mental arithmetic. You also need to be familiar with the rules of different types of casino games and keep up to date with any changes. Also, strong communication skills and great customer service etiquette will serve you well. While most of the bigger casinos provide on-the-job training, smaller casinos may send you to a casino school such as The Casino Institute in San Diego, El Cajon, California or the Casino Career Institute in Florida. Keep in mind that to be eligible to attend one of these schools you must be 18 or older, have a high school diploma and have no criminal record.
A Day in the Life of a Croupier
A croupier is a casino worker who represents the backbone of land-based casinos. Their role is to help facilitate gameplay on the casino floor and to make it a fun experience for players. Dealers, or croupiers, lead high-speed lives in which they work long hours. Shifts typically run from 2 PM–10 PM or 10 PM–6 AM and often involve working over weekends and on bank holidays.
Except when dealing poker, most of a croupier’s shift is spent on their feet, so you’ll need good physical stamina to keep standing, stretching over the table and remaining fully alert for the duration of your shift in order not to hold up a game, make any false moves or allow cheating to go unnoticed. And, of course, you’ll be expected to do all this while remaining pleasant, entertaining and communicative so that players have an enjoyable time.
Staying Alert to Customer Cheating
One of the most important aspects of a croupier’s job is to look out for customers who cheat. Unfortunately, cheating does occur from time to time, so while they’re dealing and interacting with customers, croupiers are expected to remain alert to possible foul play at their table. Knowing what to look out for is part of the job and they’re expected to report any suspicious behavior as soon as it happens. Of course, most casinos also have eyes in the sky, or closed-circuit surveillance, to keep an eye on the action at the various tables.
It can be hard to notice players cheating when the casino floor is busy, especially on Saturday nights. For example, roulette croupiers may have their hands full with 10+ people at a table. Potential cheats may try to sneak a bet down after the ball has landed, while others may try to lure the croupier into a false sense of security by being overly–friendly and talking a lot. These are just some of the ways in which cheats try to gain the croupier’s trust in order to conceal the true nature of their intentions.
Poker croupiers will also look out for two players who may be colluding. Signs of such collusion include body language, poker-playing patterns and talking in a different language or using code. Croupiers are trained to recognize these signs and will report any suspicious behavior to casino management.
The signs of possible cheating are naturally specific to every game. For instance, a croupier at a blackjack table must be able to distinguish between someone who’s counting cards and a player who’s just trying to read the dealer’s upcard.
Benefits of Being a Croupier
Being a croupier has many benefits, including:
The Chance To Travel
For many, becoming a casino dealer opens up the opportunity to work all over the world.
Play Casino Games Without Spending Your Own Money
The great thing about representing the house is that you never lose your own money and if you beat the player, you still experience a great sense of accomplishment. It’s a win-win.
Socializing
You get to meet all kinds of people at a casino and the camaraderie between croupiers is something to be cherished.
Sharpen Your Playing Skills
The fact that you’re getting paid to play is a bonus and you get to practice and learn new techniques and card-shuffling skills on the job.
The Tips
The best part of being a croupier has to be the tips from players, who are often very generous after winning a game.
Your Job Isn’t Physically Demanding
Depending on your personal attributes and preferences, you may appreciate the fact that being a croupier doesn’t involve manual labor, nor is it physically demanding. For some, this may be a bonus because it means you don’t necessarily exert too much physical stress on your body.
Safety
Given the nature of casinos and what’s at stake, croupiers can find comfort in the knowledge that they’re safe. Casinos generally have state-of-the-art security measures.
Few Entry Requirements
Unlike a number of other professions, the good news is that you don’t need a formal degree to become a casino croupier. Apart from the necessary training at a casino school and the age requirement, it’s relatively easy to become one.
The Downside to Being a Croupier
If you’re wondering what some of the not-so-great aspects of being a croupier are, consider the following:
Learning the Different Variations
At the beginning of your career as a croupier, learning and remembering the different variations of each casino game can be quite overwhelming.
Mathematical Skills
If you’re not a natural mathematician, all the mental arithmetic can be a little bit daunting.
Dealing With Cheats
Having to deal with people who are trying to cheat is not pleasant.
Irregular Hours
Long, irregular working hours.
Low Job Security
You could be released from your job at any time if somebody’s willing to work for a lower rate or is perceived to be better than you.
Impact on Work-Life Balance
Depending on your lifestyle, you may find that you end up not getting enough daily exercise. As a croupier, you could end up just sitting on a chair for most of your shift or being on your feet but with minimal movement. This can be detrimental to your health if you don’t make time to go to the gym or work out.
Long Nights
Working unusual, late hours isn’t for everybody — and in most cases, that’s essentially what being a croupier entails.
Stress From Dealing With Difficult Gamblers
Sometimes you may have to deal with difficult gamblers, which means that on a bad night, your shift may include a significant number of conflicts and stressful situations which you are to some degree expected to manage.
What Is the Average Wage of a Croupier?
The role of a casino dealer falls into the service-industry category. Therefore, when you want to calculate how much you could potentially earn, compare it to what waitresses and bartenders earn. As a croupier, your tips are very likely to exceed your hourly wages. Of course, the better you serve and interact with your customers, the more tips you will receive. Your wages are not usually determined by the type of casino game table you’re working at. Essentially, poker dealers will earn the same as a roulette croupier.
The starting pay for an average croupier is $8–10 per hour. You’ll start as a trainee, which could last 12–18 months. The size of the tips will depend on the casino and the stakes of the game. On average, tips range from $15–50 per hour.
Poker tables are where you’ll earn the biggest tips as poker dealers receive tips more consistently. People skills play a crucial role in how well you’re tipped at the poker table. Keep in mind that in some casinos, croupiers must pool their tips.
You could earn more if, after gaining two years of experience at the tables, you apply for a higher-level job such as pit boss or manager.
Does It Make a Difference Where Croupiers Are Employed?
When it comes to where you can work as a croupier, there are many options. Consider employment with a casino group if you’d like to work in a number of casinos around the world. This way, it will be easier to move around and experience different cities, countries and cultures. If you’re employed by a casino that’s part of a group, your details will be on their system, which means applying for a croupier position at a different casino within the same group will be much easier. Here are the different types of croupier jobs to choose from:
Cruise Ship Dealers
If you’d like to get paid for traveling around the world, becoming a cruise ship dealer is the ideal job. It’s also one of the highest-paying jobs on a cruise ship. Think about all those big tips that holidaymakers like to give away on a lucky day.
Specific Games Croupiers
If you’re interested in a specific casino game, it’s also possible to become a specialist croupier in that game. You may find a job listing for a blackjack dealer or roulette croupier. The major games to specialize in are poker, roulette, blackjack, poker and baccarat.
Live Dealers
As online casino games gain in popularity, so does the need for croupiers who can expertly work live dealer games. The best online casinos offer immersive experiences that involve real dealers in games that are live-streamed via the internet to players who participate from the comfort of their homes. The advantage of being an online croupier is that winnings are computerized and you’re not responsible for winner payouts. However, you’ll need to be comfortable with multiple cameras filming you while you work.
‘Elvis’ Joe Levine, A Vegas Legend
A legendary Vegas croupier was ‘Elvis’ Joe LeVine, a master of game control and player entertainment. LeVine was a constant at the World Series of Poker. He’d perform his Elvis Presley routine while shuffling cards and managing bets for world-class poker professionals.
It wasn’t uncommon for LeVine to preside over tournaments with millions of dollars at stake in a single session. Yet, irrespective of the stakes, LeVine’s command over the game never faltered. His primary goal? Ensuring that every player at his table had a superb and memorable poker experience.
The European Dealer Championship in Monte Carlo
Few people know this, but European croupiers have their very own competition. The European Dealer Championship is a prestigious event that showcases the talents of the best croupiers across Europe, held at glamorous venues such as the Casino de Monte-Carlo. Participants compete in key aspects of the profession, such as chip handling, card control and game conduct.
The competition also evaluates customer service and hospitality skills, which are crucial for the industry. It’s not just about technical skills but also the charisma and personality to provide an enjoyable gaming experience. This championship is a celebration of the professionalism and talent that lie behind the scenes in the vibrant and bustling world of European casinos.
Previous Winners
- 2022: Christoph Boo, Casino Zurich, Switzerland
- 2021: Daniel Rhodes, Hippodrome Casino, London, UK
- 2019: Sandra Harris, Aspers Casino, London, UK
- 2017: Andrea Fazio, Casinò di Venezia, Italy
- 2016: Antonio De Biasi, Casinò de Campione d’Italia, Italy
- 2015: Francesco ‘Franky’ Sacco, Casino de Monte-Carlo, Monaco
- 2014: Gianluca ‘Luca’ Esposito, Casinò di Sanremo, Italy
Play Online Casino Games at Borgata Online
Now that you’ve had a glimpse behind the curtain of what it’s like to be a croupier, head over to Borgata Online and see how the real deal works — experience live casino online games and play online poker with live dealers.
When you register with Borgata Online, you’ll have access to games and even a bunch of resources to get you started, such as blogs on understanding starting stakes in poker or roulette strategies, among others.