So What Do You Prefer in a Dealer?

[pokermama]

I have been dealing for a few weeks, and I try to keep the action going. I engage in some banter with the players, but I always try to keep the players informed on where the action is, the amount of the bets etc.

I notice that some of the other dealers are just dealing.. not any talking...

Now, tell me, how do I make myself a better dealer? Open to any comments... DO you enjoy some banter? (So long as the game is moving?)

Anyone who has played at my table at Thunderbird.. Let me know as well as anyone else.. I am always looking to improve..

Pokermama aka Sarah

[Jeffage]

IMO, the best games are ones where the dealer refrains from too much extraneous talking. At Commerce in CA, dealers are prohibited from extraneous talking in the box and the games are great. That being said I'm not hardcore about this. I think a good compromise is you can banter a bit while shuffling for the next hand, pushing the pot, etc. B/c some people (particularly those stuck, etc) just don't want to hear the dealer chatter during a hand..particularly if they have tough decisions to make. This is just my humble opinion. Also, as you said keep the action moving at a good pace and make sure players know where the action is, don't make too many errors. BTW, my comments (re: talking) apply to mid limit games...some more levity may be acceptable at lower stakes.

Jeff

[Pocket Trips]

[ QUOTE ]
I have been dealing for a few weeks, and I try to keep the action going. I engage in some banter with the players, but I always try to keep the players informed on where the action is, the amount of the bets etc.

I notice that some of the other dealers are just dealing.. not any talking...

Now, tell me, how do I make myself a better dealer? Open to any comments... DO you enjoy some banter? (So long as the game is moving?)

Anyone who has played at my table at Thunderbird.. Let me know as well as anyone else.. I am always looking to improve..

Pokermama aka Sarah

[/ QUOTE ]

As long as it doesn't slow the game down dealers that joke around with the players a bit are great. People having a good time don't mind losing as much /images/graemlins/smile.gif

[canis582]

I may be alone on this, but a good dealer has a few catch phrases for shuffling, dealing and pot pushing. 'take it down young feller' or 'you be a winner'

[DrPublo]

[ QUOTE ]
I may be alone on this, but a good dealer has a few catch phrases for shuffling, dealing and pot pushing. 'take it down young feller' or 'you be a winner'

[/ QUOTE ]

Agreed. There's a dealer at the Borgata who calls $100 "a man." So if a bet $200 in a NL game, he announces the bet as "two man." It's great.

The Doc

[Zaxenexaz]

I play 4/8 at a place that is mostly people just having fun (if its not obvious from the fact its 4/8) but I appreciate the dealers talking and making the game fun and keeping the drunk fish playing longer.

[mostsmooth]

the best dealers are hot asian chicks with big cans

[Derek in NYC]

1. Deal a lot of hands/hour
2. Dont float/expose cards
3. Keep the action moving quickly (e.g., "two bets to you, sir")
4. Always announce the number of players going to the next street
5. Call the floor immediately if there are any disputes

If you do that, you are a good dealer, and will earn a lot of tokes. All else is secondary. Conversation or pleasantries are unnecessary.

[Lurshy]

To the extent that dealer banter keeps him from focusing on the action in the pot, it is no good.

A little chat while shuffling or washing cards is OK. During the hand it is strictly incorrect.

Speed, Accuracy, Game Control are the attributes I appreciate the most. Personality is last, though an obtuse attitude may affect tokes.

[xadrez]

A good selection of opiates...

[Triumph36]

I don't know why so many in this thread don't like 'bantering' dealers. I imagine they've had too many who aren't focused on the game. To me, a silent table is going to be a tight table. It's not up to the dealer to loosen up the table, but it's definitely in his or her best interest. A silent dealer at a silent table is going to draw fewer tokes because the pots will be smaller. This may only apply at the lower limits.

[JerseyTom]

I've only played live three times in my life, all at fairly low limits, where it seems the dealer's job is mainly babysitting novice players and explaining (over and over and over again, it seems) how much people can bet/raise on each street, how much the bet is to them etc.

So I'm most impressed by dealers who:

- keep the game moving along by constantly calling out the action ("the bet is $2", "action to you, sir... $4 to call", "raised up to $6...")

- actually enforce the rules, i.e. reprimand (nicely, of course) those who continually act out of turn, splash the pot, don't place their chips up to the bet line, string bet, etc. One very subtle way I've seen this done is to address the table rather than the individual player when an infraction occurs (e.g. "Players are reminded to place chips up to the bet line." "Players are reminded to wait until the action is on them." etc.). This may keep the transgressor from feeling singled out and keep the mood at the table light.

- call out the number of players on each street ("4 players to the turn")

I've seen too many low-limit dealers at Foxwoods who appear not to give a crap about string bets especially. Yes, I know that the average Foxwoods dealer is somewhat sub-par, which I suppose is why the good (or perhaps merely competent?) dealers there really stand out.

As far as banter, I can take it or leave it. I can see how some would find it inappropriate during a hand, though.


Hope this helps,

Tom

[Trainwreck]

Sounds like your doing fine, how many hands per hour do you think you average?

Minimal errors and 30+ hands an hour and your doing fine especially if your shuffling manually, IMHO.

Overly chatting can get very annoying, why? Some of us non-fish are in heavy concentration mode and it can get YOU off track.

Keeping the game flowing smoothly and minimal errors are probably most important factors besides hands per hour. Your tips speak volumes also.... Satisfied with them? Compare with someone you consider a good dealer there on the same shift....

Attitude is good? You don't look grumpy and are able to crack a smile? That's fine! 8)

>TW<

[RacersEdge]

My main quality that I want in a dealer is to pay attention and be involved in the game. Don't be talking to one particular person at the table about a no-limit game they both played in the night before - meanwhile people are acting out of turn. So pay attention always.

Some banter is good at the right places - keeps the game light.

[imitation]

[ QUOTE ]
the best dealers are hot asian chicks with big cans

[/ QUOTE ]

<-------- for you sir

[IronDragon1]

Given the choice between a (near) mute who keeps the game going efficiently and someone who spends more time yapping (while not doing this) I would go with the former.

Dealers that can do both, however, (while rare) are a true pleasure to be around.

[TiK]

First and foremost, speed and accuracy (keeping the game moving would come under speed). The rest (banter, et al.) is secondary, although a pleasant demeanor is always a plus.

[Randy_Refeld]

[ QUOTE ]
I have been dealing for a few weeks, and I try to keep the action going. I engage in some banter with the players, but I always try to keep the players informed on where the action is, the amount of the bets etc.

I notice that some of the other dealers are just dealing.. not any talking...

[/ QUOTE ]

Poker dealers are in a bad situation. The correct procedure is to shut up and deal. Mnay of the players new to poker (who tend to be better tippers) actually like it when the dealer talks ro entertains them. As a general rule the higher the limit the less you should talk. Even before I got into this busines I beleived the delaer should not be talking. A large portion of dealer errors occur becasue the dealer is talking. I have heard a lot of peopel say it is no big deal if the dealer can talk and keep up with the game; I am yet to see this. I have seen dealers do ok while talking, but teh mistakes are still there but they are in very low limit room so the players don't notice or mind the mistakes. Masin used to have a really good essay about talking dealers on this site, but I have no idea if it is still here.

Randy Refeld

[FeliciaLee]

Hi, Sarah! I have heard good things about you from Maudie, so I'll try to respond a little bit.

Ironically, I am in the midst of a long post about dealing, since my Mom has been dealing for about ten years now, and recently Glenn started dealing.

Please visit my site in the next few days, I hope to have it finished (I took a break on the post to play in the Plaza HORSE event).

Also, you might look into Mason's book: The Professional Poker Dealer's Handbook (http://www.twoplustwo.com/books.html#The%20Professional%20Poker%20Dealer's%2 0Handbook)

Cheers!

Felicia /images/graemlins/smile.gif
www.felicialee.net (http://www.felicialee.net)

[FeliciaLee]

Great post, Randy. My thoughts run along those same lines, Sarah, if that tells you anything about my upcoming post.

Many people assume I am very, very hard on dealers and "hate" them. Several dealers even banded together to tell a CRM about me, that they felt I was "out to get them." Actually, the exact opposite is true. I am constantly trying to protect dealers from abuse and being given a hard time, by taking the heat away from them and putting it onto myself. I cannot and will not tolerate dealer abuse, but for whatever odd reason, certain dealers with very low self esteem perceive my banter as a personal attack on themselves.

If a dealer can mantain a level of objectivity and be as unbiased as possible, I believe things are easier on him. No one player will feel "left out" of the conversation or think that decisions will go against him. I truly believe this is important at the lower limits, where most players are playing solely for recreational purposes.

Jeez, I'm rambling, I may as well finish my entire post on the subject, lol.

Felicia /images/graemlins/smile.gif

[GoblinMason (Craig)]

2 things:

1. Quick/Accurate dealing skills
2. Politeness (saying thanks when tipped)

In regards to #2, if they don't say thanks for tips they don't get any from me.

-Craig

[LockLow34]

One characteristic I like in a dealer is when she leaves the chips that were bet in front of the player that bet them until all action on that street is done.

[The Ocho]

[ QUOTE ]
I've seen too many low-limit dealers at Foxwoods who appear not to give a crap about string bets especially

[/ QUOTE ]

If I recall correctly: at foxwoods, dealers are not supposed to call string bets. It's up to the players to call them out if they care enough to do so. This may be the standard at most casinos, but I don't get out enough to really remember.

[toots]

I'll modify a previous poster's list:

1. Make the game pleasurable. If this means banter, all the better
2. Don't float/expose cards
3. Always announce the number of players going to the next street
4. Call the floor immediately if there are any disputes

I'm going to forgive a lot if they get #1 right. I don't play big stakes; I play for fun. Most of the rest of the people at the table are there for the same reason. I mean, if anyone's at a binky-stakes table looking to make a living, they got bigger problems than the dealer.

If I want maximum hands/hour with as little dealer interference/mistakes as possible, I'll stick to online. The reason I go to the casino is to have the entire experience: playing with real chips, touching real cards, bantering with real players and dealers.

I will tend to tip dealers more if they're making the game more fun for me, and the way to do that isn't to be grim and machine-like.

Some of my better B&M moments at Foxwoods:

Anytime "Shirley" (I think that's her name - crusty older woman) sits down

The time at that $5/10 game when we were all giving the dealer crap for not rapping his tokes before dropping them in his box ("You didn't whack! I thought the whack was mandatory!), and he was playing back at us. The others almost didn't notice that I nearly doubled my buy-in while all of this was going on.

When the dealers use their catch phrases ("Three hardy players!")

Any time I get a sourpuss at the table, complaining that the dealer isn't good enough, I tend to do things just to piss him (the sourpuss) off. Amazing how much tilt-mileage you can get from an angry old rock just by straddling a few times. Yeah, it's -EV cash-wise, but +EV fun-wise.

[four eight suited]

The Professional Poker Dealers Handbook says that conversing with the players is a mistake and is unprofessional. I found this to be true in my B&M experiences in vegas. My favorite would be polite and responsive to any questions I had, but never distracting by commenting on the action, conversing with other players or asking any questions

[mostsmooth]

[ QUOTE ]
[ QUOTE ]
the best dealers are hot asian chicks with big cans

[/ QUOTE ]

<-------- for you sir

[/ QUOTE ]
thats what im talkin about!!!

[pokermama]

Thank you all for your replies.. I have played poker for years in the B&M's and started dealing to improve my game..

I know that I tried to model myself after the dealers I enjoyed the most..

1. Dealing as many hands an hour as I can (I am up to 20+)
2. Being accurate no misdeals..
3. Calling the bets out to the players.. letting them know when the action is to them.. how many players are in for the flop, turn and river..

Catch phrases.. I go with.. "He's firing out... bet is XXX"
I always announce raises.. "He's raising to XX, XX to call"


Then I always say "Players your final card is".... then turn it

The only banter I do is when I am shuffling the cards.. just small jib jabs... nothing major or offensive...

I remind the players of no string betting.. and of course with all the new players on the limit game how much the bet can be...

Finally, I always try to smile and be pleasant and silent during the play other than to announce who the action is on and what the call/check or bet is.

I have learned several regular player's names, so I try to call them by their name...

Of course in No-Limit's I mostly call the action and no banter unless a player starts it.. then I try to end it quickly before I deal the next hand.

Again, thanks.. and it looks like I am on the right track..

See you all at the tables..

Sarah

OH and I thank everyone very much for their tokes...

[MtDon]

One thing that hasn't been mentioned yet, that I particularly like: Stack the chips, rather than having them just in a pile.

I have neuropathy in my hands (lack of feeling) which makes it difficult to stack a lot of chips.

It's especially frustrating when the dealer stacks the chips during the play of the hand and then pushes them all into a pile to give the pot to me.

Also,it is nice for the dealer to know all the players names.

-- Don

[Randy_Refeld]

[ QUOTE ]
One thing that hasn't been mentioned yet, that I particularly like: Stack the chips, rather than having them just in a pile.


[/ QUOTE ]

There are occasional reasons to stack (like the given) but in a one winner game you should not stack the chips. Excessive handling of the chips can give the appearance that the dealer is stealing chips out of the pot. Also it is inappropiate to draw attention to the size of the pot. ALso a lot of players enjoy stacking up their pots.

Randy Refeld

[Mason Malmuth]

Hi pokermama:

The number one attribute that I like to see in dealers is no extraneous talking when in the box. We emphasized this point in the Professional Poker Dealer's Handbook. It's better for the players, and it's much better for you.

best wishes,
mason

[Andy B]

A couple of years ago, I was told by a Foxwoods dealer that they were not allowed to call players on string bets. It is up to the players to call string bets. In my opinion, this defeats the purpose of having the rule in the first place. The unsuspecting players that this rule is supposed to protect may not even know that the rule exists.

[Bulbarainey]

i like fast dealers, with accurate card throws, and paying full attention, banter is good loosens up everyone

[imitation]

Did you mention having big tits and being asian, because that's why I haven't purchased many 2+2 books, not enough refrence to how +EV having big tits and being asian is.

[RacersEdge]

Mason,

I thought you were just a poker theory guru. How are you involved in writing poker dealer protocol books?

[Mike Gallo]

[ QUOTE ]
the best dealers are hot asian chicks with big cans

[/ QUOTE ]

I have not seen many of those in the card rooms we frequent.

[mostsmooth]

[ QUOTE ]
[ QUOTE ]
the best dealers are hot asian chicks with big cans

[/ QUOTE ]

I have not seen many of those in the card rooms we frequent.

[/ QUOTE ]
ive seen a couple. big may be a stretch, but for an asian chick , they were

[Hellmouth]

[ QUOTE ]
[ QUOTE ]
the best dealers are hot asian chicks with big cans

[/ QUOTE ]

I have not seen many of those in the card rooms we frequent.

[/ QUOTE ]

Time to head to the Borgata. /images/graemlins/wink.gif

[mostsmooth]

[ QUOTE ]
[ QUOTE ]
[ QUOTE ]
the best dealers are hot asian chicks with big cans

[/ QUOTE ]

I have not seen many of those in the card rooms we frequent.

[/ QUOTE ]

Time to head to the Borgata. /images/graemlins/wink.gif

[/ QUOTE ]
hes talking about borgata (among others)

[Derek in NYC]

[ QUOTE ]
1. Dealing as many hands an hour as I can (I am up to 20+)

[/ QUOTE ]

Your dealing & shuffling is too slow, you are failing to keep the action moving, or you only deal low-limit retards who have never played B&M. 20+ hands/hour is not enough.

[GoblinMason (Craig)]

[ QUOTE ]

OH and I thank everyone very much for their tokes...

[/ QUOTE ]

Awesome!

I can't stand when dealers don't do this. If you don't appreciate it why should I give it to you?

-Craig

[Randy_Refeld]

[ QUOTE ]
Your dealing & shuffling is too slow, you are failing to keep the action moving, or you only deal low-limit retards who have never played B&M. 20+ hands/hour is not enough.


[/ QUOTE ]

There are some places that dont' know this isnt' enough because nobody working there has ever seen a real poker room. i once playin in a room in Indiana that has since closed and reopened that was got 14 hands out in the hour I counted. But yes 20 hands an hour is not good and would not be enough to get a job in a well run room. To the original poster keep dealing and the additional speed will come; you should not sacrifice accuracy to gain speed.

[Derek in NYC]

1. work on doing a faster wash, riffle, and box.

2. practice your pitches until you can land 100 cards perfectly in a row.

3. your verbals should be calling out the action as it happens. basically, you need to sound like the dealer on party poker

[Nomad84]

[ QUOTE ]
[ QUOTE ]
1. Dealing as many hands an hour as I can (I am up to 20+)

[/ QUOTE ]

Your dealing & shuffling is too slow, you are failing to keep the action moving, or you only deal low-limit retards who have never played B&M. 20+ hands/hour is not enough.

[/ QUOTE ]

It's the latter, mostly. I believe you dealt to me on my first trip out there, Sarah. I assume there's only one Sarah out there... If so, you were definitely one of the better dealers out there. I liked when you (and a couple of other dealers) would help the new players with the bet sizes (Action's to you, sir. Check or bet 3.) to keep them from having to ask. There were definitely a lot of people out there who didn't appear to have ever played at a card room before and who were slowing the game down quite a bit. Also, even though Mason discourages talking, I enjoy it. I have found that the dealers at Thunderbird that talk and joke around while shuffling tend to keep the mood lighter at the table, which seems to lead to more loose calls. Besides that, it's just more fun, which is why most people play 3/6 anyway. I would probably feel differently if I was playing mid- to high-limit.

Also, calling out how many people are still in the pot is nice too, especially when I'm at the end of the table. "Five players to the flop," etc.

[toots]

I've said it before, but:

Maybe when people get to the mid and higher limits, they lose their sense of fun, but to me, playing at low limits tables with a chatty/joking dealer only adds to my enjoyment.

I mean, I am still there to have fun. People might knock the chatty dealer for lack of professionalism, but hey, I'm there to enjoy myself. It ain't supposed to be like a pelvic exam.

[pokermama]

[ QUOTE ]
[ QUOTE ]
1. Dealing as many hands an hour as I can (I am up to 20+)

[/ QUOTE ]

Your dealing & shuffling is too slow, you are failing to keep the action moving, or you only deal low-limit retards who have never played B&M. 20+ hands/hour is not enough.

[/ QUOTE ]

When I first went to the class there they stated that they wanted us dealing 20 hands an hour.. I can tell you that when I am at some of the tables, 2/5 NLHE it is higher until you get to the guy who has to think and think and think about making that all in call..
On the lower limit games, we have a lot of new players, fresh from the internet and out of the casino... so it is a lot of walking them through the game.. betting limits, action etc...

I can tell you that for the place I am working, my speed is great.... Just pray you don't get on some tables where they are dealing maybe 10-15 hands an hour...

Thanks also for the advice on practicing... I do the pitching practice, and work on the wash, riffle, and cut daily... hope it pays off and am sure it will

Thanks,

Sarah

[pokermama]

Thanks Nomad for the nice compliment.. I love dealing but will be going to part time next week, I will be dealing Fri, Sat nights and Sunday days..

Got tired real fast of showing up with 24 other dealers to work on 6 tables....

Come on out and see me again...

Sarah

[Maudie]

Hi Sarah -

Being home fresh from a session at the T-bird this eve I can think back on the dealers who stood out during the 7-8 hours I was there. I can point to two who were confident, efficient, made few mistakes and contributed to keeping the table relaxed and happy - you are one of them Matt is the other.

My table got pretty somber - and, consequently, tighter - at times and it was nice to have a dealer with some personality who would engage with the players between hands - it lightened things up.

One dealer this evening was announcing the pot amount along with the number of people in a hand - being the math dunce I am, I found that extremely helpful:)

Check out Felicia's post at her blog when she gets it up-she's and experienced player and has seen it all - lol.

Maudie
Poker Perspectives (http://www.kebzweb.com)

[Al_Capone_Junior]

As a general rule, it never hurts to keep your mouth in the closed position while dealing. However, some banter can be acceptable, depending on the table and the people in it. The higher the limit tho, the more you should shut up and deal. If you just never talked in the box that would be fine, and in fact some houses don't want their dealers talking at all, except to run the action. Experience will help you figure all this out. If you are only three weeks into dealing I would keep the banter to a micro-minimum.

al