Every summer, hundreds of dealers from all over the U.S. flock to Las Vegas, Nevada, to take part in the largest and most prestigious poker event ever — the World Series of Poker (WSOP). In online poker, cards are dealt by software, but WSOP dealers are the backbone of the live event, making it possible for players and fans alike to enjoy a vibrant and seamless experience.

With millions of dollars on the line and players under immense pressure, a dealer’s job is anything but easy, meaning only the best candidates make the cut. According to tournament director Jack Effel, “We typically lose 15–20% percent of what we hire within the first couple of weeks of the World Series of Poker.” As a result, the recruitment process is critical to organizing a successful event.

Do you think you have what it takes? Find out how to become a card dealer at WSOP.

About WSOP

WSOP is the longest-running poker tournament globally, dating back to a single event in 1970 that pitted seven of the best players in the country against each other. Every year since then, WSOP has held a comprehensive range of competitive events in Las Vegas, featuring every major poker variation, plus a few lesser-known variants such as rag. The variant featured at the prestigious Main Event is Texas Hold’em. As a result, potential dealers need to know how to deal for Texas Hold’em poker.

WSOP has awarded upwards of $3.5 billion in prize money over the years. The record-breaking 2023 event generated $425.2 million across its 95 live and 20 online poker tournaments, up from some $346.3 million in 2022. WSOP 2023 also welcomed 250,000 poker players, up from 198,429 in 2022.

Traditionally, the series takes place in June and July. In 2024, WSOP will play out on the Las Vegas Strip, with events split between Paris Casino and the Horseshoe. This is the largest tournament capacity in WSOP history, with 600 poker tables spread out over 150,000 square feet.

Challenges

WSOP dealers are the unsung heroes of the tournament. The rules make heavy physical and mental demands on players and dealers alike. Poker dealers must be able to sit or stand for long periods, work in both cool and warm temperatures, maneuver in and around tables, and calmly handle customer demands in a fast-paced environment.

Dealers must respond to visual and aural cues and have memorized game rules, procedures, and a range of casino dealer phrases. They must know how to read the room, adapt to a multitude of different playing styles, and keep calm and totally professional at all times, even when tempers flare. Dealers have to deal with sore losers, angle shooters, over-zealous bluffers, and other challenging personalities. They have to be diplomats, diffusing tense situations and keeping order at the table while keeping the game fair and fun. Basically, WSOP poker dealer jobs are not for the faint of heart.

Rewards

Is the stress worth it? Thousands of dealers say yes. Contributing to the world’s most prestigious poker event and rubbing shoulders with the top poker stars is an experience like no other. Then there’s the camaraderie between dealers, not to mention the potential financial rewards. Dealers earn a basic wage of $12.50 per hour, with a $100 bonus if they survive their first shift. On top of that, they get $15 per down (thirty-minute dealing period) for all Hold’em bracelet and side events and $20 per down for all non-Hold’em bracelet events. They can also get a bonus at the end of the event depending on how many downs they’ve worked.

There’s also the chance to make tips. In 2014, 2015, and 2018, main event winners Martin Jacobson, Joe McKeehen, and John Cynn tipped the dealers $80,000, $50,000, and $50,000 respectively.

The Hiring Process

With so many poker tables to cater to, recruitment begins many months before the event starts. Aspiring dealers should submit their applications as soon as the hiring process begins at the beginning of each year.

First, though, the event organizers contact all dealers that left in good standing after the previous year’s event to see if they would like to return. Those with 2–3 years of experience with WSOP tournaments are grandfathered in, while all other dealers require at least six months of experience. The remaining numbers are made up of new applications submitted to Caesars Entertainment on its online platform or via email. Candidates who meet all the requirements are then granted a phone audition. During auditions, dealers are quizzed on their proficiency and receive a score of 0–100. Those who get below 70 are asked to try again next year, those who get between 70–80 are invited for a live audition, and those who get above 80 are automatically hired.

While many applicants are great at dealing no-limit Hold’em, they’re advised to be well-versed in other poker variants, including pot-limit Omaha, seven-card stud, 8s or better, and deuce-to-seven triple draw to pass the audition successfully. Effel advises, “Make sure that you know some of the games that are in the Dealer’s Choice event, because you could be asked to deal a hand or two of triple draw or 2–7 no-limit, or something like that, and that could be your audition.“

WSOP Poker Dealer Job Requirements

To audition as a WSOP dealer, you need to be a current poker dealer at a licensed casino or licensed poker facility with a minimum of six months’ verifiable experience within the past three years or have certified poker dealer training from a licensed poker dealing school. It counts in your favor if you’ve worked at WSOP, WSOP Circuit events, the Heartland Poker Tour, the World Poker Tour, or the Mid-States Poker Tour.

A candidate is further required to:

• Be at least 21 years of age.
• Deal and run all flop, draw, and seven-card tournament games in limit, no-limit, and pot-limit formats.
• Be a team player with a friendly, outgoing personality and good customer service skills.
• Present a neat, professional appearance and practice good personal hygiene at all times.
• Use good math skills to calculate pots and take required rakes quickly and correctly.
• Be fluent in English.

All new candidates must successfully pass a WSOP Dealer’s audition, which consists of an examination of their game knowledge and English-language comprehension skills.

Finalist candidates will be required to complete a drug test and background check. If offered a position, successful candidates must be able to obtain a Nevada Gaming License as part of pre-employment requirements. All dealers must submit a new application each year.

Enjoy Live Poker and More at Borgata Online

Of course, even if you’re not taking part in the WSOP, you can still play at a casino online and enjoy plenty of action, wherever you are. Register with Borgata Online to play real poker cash games and poker tournaments with stakes and buy-ins to suit your level. In addition to top-rate poker, you can explore a wide range of online casino games, including popular table games, online slots, and live casino games with real online casino dealers.