Why Do Casinos Rotate Dealers?

Floating black and gold Ace playing cards in all four suits on a black background.

Anyone who’s spent a few hours at the gaming tables in a land-based casino or playing live dealer casino games online will know that casinos rotate their dealers periodically. In fact, card dealers will typically switch out every 30–60 minutes or so, depending on how many dealers are available and how pressurized the games are. There are many reasons why it’s standard policy for them to do so. Some of the reasons are fairly obvious (casinos need to know how to treat dealers well,) but some have to do with gaming in ways that are worth knowing about. Keep scrolling to read and find out how knowing about this not-very-well-kept casino secret can benefit you.

Why Casino Card Dealers Must Take Breaks

Even though you might feel like you can play for hours, it’s important for your dealer not to. When casino card dealers take regular breaks, they’re able to perform at their best, which also ensures that the game is played well, smoothly, and without mistakes. A dealer at a casino is constantly monitoring players for any suspicious behavior while simultaneously keeping track of the pot, paying out winnings, taking bets, and dealing cards. No matter how sharp you may be, any person can get tired after a while, which can lead to errors that may result in a negative gaming experience. Rotating dealers is a great way to maintain a high standard and sustain the integrity of the game. The next time you notice a casino dealer rotation at your favorite local or online casino, appreciate that they might need a breather to come back ready for a good next game.

Rotations Help Balance Gaming Outcomes

A top-down view of the hands of a female dealer at a No Limit Texas Hold’em poker table with each hand on stacks of poker chips.

It’s one of various open casino secrets that another reason for dealers to rotate on a frequent basis is in order to prevent them from becoming too familiar with the players. Table games are sociable by nature, and a dealer who gets too chatty could lose focus. This could slow down the flow of play or result in the dealer overlooking player errors or even cheating. Another issue that rotation is designed to deal with is the potential for collusion between dealer and player. Timely rotation ensures that dealers always maintain a professional distance between themselves and their customers, the players.

The policy of casino dealer rotation is also in place to maintain the built-in house edge. This is the casino’s statistical advantage, which is incorporated into every table game and even within the slot machines. These rotations help casino dealers maintain the edge in the player’s favor so that they don’t receive a bigger advantage than they should. After all, it’s not much fun for players at the table if the dealer’s on a winning streak. As a result, a timely dealer rotation could break a losing streak if you’re stuck in one. On the other hand, rotating card dealers also helps save the casino money if many players are on a winning streak. There has to be balance — in as much as this is possible to achieve in games of chance.

Dealers Keep Things Fair and Square

To give a final answer to “Why do casino dealers rotate?” it’s to ensure that players have the best possible gaming experience while keeping things fair and square at the table. It keeps the game fresh and fair by allowing dealers to stay focused and sharp, preventing errors and keeping the action flowing while clamping down on anything that could spoil the fun.

So, do dealers cheat at blackjack? The answer is a hard “no.” In fact, casinos do everything possible to ensure the players get a square deal when they spend money at the tables. For example, have you ever seen a dealer at a casino clap their hands before starting a game? This is done to show both the players and the cameras in the room that the dealer’s hands are clear, and the clap is to provide evidence that they have nothing between their fingers they could cheat with. Consider it an act of goodwill and a start to an honest game. With any luck, the next thing you’ll hear them say is, “Winner, winner, chicken dinner.”

Play With Real Casino Card Dealers at Borgata Online

An over-the-shoulder view of a female Texas Hold’em dealer with her hands cupping stacks of poker chips on either side of a fanned-out deck of cards.

Keen to play with real casino card dealers at an online casino? Simply register at Borgata Online to enjoy live dealer casino games online. Play blackjack, craps, roulette, and baccarat for real money in real-time, with professional dealers operating real tables. With a bit of luck, they may even crack a couple of classic dealer catchphrases. In addition to live dealer games, there’s a broad range of online slots and RNG table games for your entertainment. Beyond the online casino, there are also exciting online poker and sports betting options to explore. Whatever recreational games you prefer, you’ll find them at Borgata Online.