How much does a good poker dealer make?

pokermama · #1 04-20-2005, 03:02 PM

I can tell you this... I make $5.50 per hour.. tips range from 7 to 10 bucks per "down". Downs are 30 minutes.. on a good night I might work 4 to 5 downs.. slow nights maybe 3 during an 8 hour shift..

Last week my tips ranged from 99 bucks to 20 bucks.. specifically 80, 70, 40, 20, 99... NOW.. take 10% out of that prior to my cash out for the floormen... so I took home 72, 63, 36, 18, and 89.00... Then I am taxed on that..

If I could make 80K or more a year whoopie.. but it ain't happening.. figure I might make around 20K this year dealing..

This week I work 4 days... so that is less money plus one of those is a day shift.. I know the day shift dealers have been averaging about 20 bucks per 8 hour shift...

We don't get tipped after every pot.. some never tip.. no matter what they win.. I give them the same service.. but it is nice to get the tips.. and I thank you

poker mama...

mts · #2 04-20-2005, 03:08 PM

this is how a dealer should act. gj

pipster · #3 04-20-2005, 04:20 PM

Where do you deal at? I was actually talking more about the major casinos in Vegas/etc. And from what I observed there not only are they short-staffed (ie dealers dealing 7-8 downs in a row without a break) but they were getting tipped almost every pot, many pots at more than 1 dollar. And these were the low 2/4 and 3/6 tables.

MonkeeMan · #4 04-20-2005, 05:40 PM

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but they were getting tipped almost every pot, many pots at more than 1 dollar. And these were the low 2/4 and 3/6 tables.

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It's my contention that the players at the 2/4 and 3/6 are better tippers on average than at the higher limits. First of all, many are there for a good time, and that includes not being a tightwad. If you're there thinking about BB/Hr., well that might change your whole attitude about tipping J.D. Secondly, many of these players have worked in the service industries themselves at some point, so they tip good. What goes around comes around.

My sister-in-law works as a waitress, is a single mom with two kids, makes maybe 25K/yr. Tips better than anyone I've ever met.

pokermama · #5 04-20-2005, 11:07 PM

I deal at thunderbird in Norman,OK.. but by reading the posts here it is fairly the same.. no one want's to deal the 2-5 no limit game cause tips are way low there.. maybe 5 bucks for a 30 minute down...

I deal the 2-5 just to learn and work on my own skills.. (amazing how great your people reading skills improve while dealing)

YES!! the 3/6 4/8 and even 10/20 players tip better than the higher no limit games..

I try to be professional in all my dealings.. and I am looking forward to dealing Vegas after I get my 6 months in here..

PokerMama

Nomad84 · #6 04-21-2005, 11:45 PM

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I deal at thunderbird in Norman,OK..

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What is your name? Do you ever deal limit? I've been out there twice and it seemed like the people playing for fun who were "gambling it up" at the 2/4 last Wednesday were tipping much more regularly than the rocks at my 3/6 table Friday. I've been pretty pleased with the dealers and other employees out there so far. Waitresses are a little slow, but they seemed to be more than a little overworked. Didn't bother me since I only had one pop in my 2 trips, but some of the other players were getting a little upset about having to wait so long for their beer.

Too bad I couldn't win a hand to save my life Friday [img]/images/graemlins/mad.gif[/img] I honestly think I went through 4 or 5 dealers without winning a single hand, despite a few good starting hands. Oh well. -$70 was a lot better than it could've been.

Look forward to playing there again. I'll probably try to get out there at least once a week (preferably more) until I move south for the summer.

pokermama · #7 04-22-2005, 03:13 AM

I deal Limit and No-Limit... I'm Sarah.. the one that has a good time at the table..

Say hello when you come out again..

smoore · #8 04-20-2005, 10:13 PM

Damn, pokermama... is that okiepoker? I think I inferred that form another thread. If so I definitely believe it... I've seen people in SE OK leave $0.25 on a $10 tab. I was so embarrased to be seen with this guy that I feigned having to go to the bathroom and then came back to the bar and dropped the bartender $2. He gave me a free shot ($3.50 at this place) after he determined I wasn't driving. I guess 20% is a pretty big tip for a bartender in SE OK.

Merk · #9 04-22-2005, 02:14 AM

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Secondly, many of these players have worked in the service industries themselves at some point, so they tip good. What goes around comes around.

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Absolutely true, my father has lived the bar industry for the past 35 years as bartender, owner, and DJ. And, he is a great tipper.

Ever notice when you goto a restaurant with friends and the bill comes and you all decide to pay your "share" that if you drop down Thirty for your $18 share, there still doesn't come out enough for a good tip at the end.