is it hard to be dealer?

blaze666 · #1 05-07-2005, 01:56 PM

i always assumed that being a dealer was a very systematic easy job. from reading the posts i can see im wrong. how much training is involved? and is it a good job?

bernie · #2 05-07-2005, 06:49 PM

Just to be a dealer? No

To be a good dealer? It takes some work.

To be a great dealer? It takes some ambition, pride, integrity and thick skin in your job.

You also have to have a strong, flexible neck from ducking from flying cards and chips from any angle. [img]/images/graemlins/wink.gif[/img]

It's a very thankless job. I think many take good, or better, dealers for granted.

b

Chipr777 · #3 05-07-2005, 11:55 PM

Like the last post suggested, anyone can go to a 2 week class and deal stud and hold'em. It can take many years to become proficiant and fast. Depending on where you deal the job pays well. Most good dealers work in the better rooms. Better room = better money. I've been dealing and flooring for 11 years and I love it. You just have to learn to let things roll off your back and leave work at work. I bought a $180,000 house 2 years ago and a new truck this year with no problems paying my bills with money left for savings. My wife also works. (Not in the casino business) You have to learn to handle cash in your pocket everyday. Cash seems to be easy to spend. [img]/images/graemlins/laugh.gif[/img] We know how much our monthly bills are and divide that by days. x amount of cash everyday goes to the bank. Only way to do it.

pokermama · #4 05-08-2005, 12:18 AM

After working for a month now at the local Indian Casino I can tell you the following

1. Some people who had never played poker, probably couldn't spell it.. (seriously) were hired after an 80 hour school, they are slow and not accurate at all.. push pots to the wrong players, fail to take the rake.. etc etc... but they are working..

2. It's great fun.. I am loving my job.. but not this week.. Why?? I showed up three days this week and we had 20 plus dealers on the schedule.. We have 12 tables.. and only 5-6 were open.. so I e/o 'ed and left.. NO tokes, NO hourly... Scheduling is nutz

3. I love my players.. I enjoy dealing to them and getting to know them..It tickles me to death to have them talk to me and compliment me outside the card room...

In short.. yeah any lump can deal.. but it takes work to make money at it... I have been averaging about 90 bucks a shift in tips.. others are around 40 a night... you would think they would leave?? but no... they are still there and the players complain but they are still there...

Loving my job..

Pokermama

d10 · #5 05-08-2005, 02:00 AM

I'm not a dealer, but from what I've seen it looks like a difficult job. I'm sure I could do the job well for a few hands, but I could never stay focused on all the action going on at the table for an extended period of time.

juanez · #6 05-08-2005, 03:15 AM

[ QUOTE ]
Just to be a dealer? No

To be a good dealer? It takes some work.

To be a great dealer? It takes some ambition, pride, integrity and thick skin in your job.

You also have to have a strong, flexible neck from ducking from flying cards and chips from any angle.

It's a very thankless job. I think many take good, or better, dealers for granted.

[/ QUOTE ]

Great response.

bernie · #7 05-08-2005, 05:18 AM

[ QUOTE ]
1. Some people who had never played poker, probably couldn't spell it.. (seriously) were hired after an 80 hour school, they are slow and not accurate at all.. push pots to the wrong players, fail to take the rake.. etc etc... but they are working..

[/ QUOTE ]

I find that the new, clueless dealers greatly improve if they eventually actually play the game they are dealing at some point.

One thing I give credit for, for new dealers, is if they're making an effort. I don't mind if their slow as long as they keep the game moving and are trying. Showing that they at least care for the game they're dealing. They will screw up more often, but don't we all when we're learning? Especially if it's their first week in the box. I shudder when I see a new dealer being openly berated by a player, usually over something petty, when it's visibly obvious the dealer is trying to deal good. It's a sickening sight.

If a dealer is new but showing that they care about what they're doing and are trying, great. They will improve eventually if they keep at it. Some make mistakes are just out of nervousness. Im sure they feel, to some degree, like they are on an island under a magnifying glass when dealing a table.

b

Eldon · #8 05-08-2005, 08:42 AM

I agree with everything said above. I was a dealer and prefered it to BJ in the pit but:

If you have a stable 9-5 choice paying a living wage, take it.

There is a lot of uncertainty in a dealers work schedule, you take a lot of abuse, and sometimes you are surrounded with a lot of ignorant, obnoxious people. No wait, I think I just described many 95 jobs.

Good Luck

DrCool · #9 05-09-2005, 12:47 PM

Like others have mentioned, if you just want someone out there throwing cards it can be an easy job. If you want a good dealer who can keep the game rolling, make the players feel comfortable, understand and properly interpret the rules, and get a bunch of hands out an hour it can be a very difficult, thankless job.

Here in town we have about 10 poker rooms. I play almost exclusively at one of them because the dealers are far and above the best in town. They are friendly, know their stuff, and are in general great guys (and gals).