So What Do You Prefer in a Dealer?

[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

Cheers!

Felicia [img]/images/graemlins/smile.gif[/img]
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 [img]/images/graemlins/smile.gif[/img]