Becoming a professional poker dealer is not only a fun way to make a living, but it also provides an opportunity to meet and interact with some of the world’s top players. As a dealer, you are responsible for promoting a safe, fun and exciting gaming experience, managing all the betting action and identifying any cheaters. You will also work with a variety of people, so it is important to have excellent customer service skills.
There are a few different ways to become a poker dealer, including going through a casino-sponsored training program or working as an assistant dealer at a land-based or online casino. However, most casinos prefer to hire dealers with credentials, so completing a dealer school is the best option. These programs vary in length and cost, from a few hundred dollars for individual classes to full certificate programs that can run into the thousands of dollars.
Once you’ve completed a dealer course, you will be ready to apply for jobs at land-based casinos and online casinos that offer live poker games. Most casino managers will require a dealer audition, where you will be expected to deal a live game for 15-20 minutes while the manager assesses your performance. You may also want to consider applying for dealer roles in other games, such as blackjack, in order to get more table experience and develop your casino-specific customer service skills.
The career path to becoming a poker dealer can be challenging, and you will need a lot of mental stamina. The job requires you to stay on your feet for long periods of time and handle large amounts of money. It’s also important to have good fine motor skills and be able to react quickly to any sound or visual signals from the players. You will also need to have excellent attention to detail, as you will be responsible for ensuring that all chips are counted and accounted for. You will need to be able to remain calm in stressful situations, such as dealing with an angry player or a drunk patron.
In addition, you will need to be able to communicate clearly with other casino staff, as well as the players. This is especially important when you’re dealing at higher-level cash games and tournaments, as you will be responsible for communicating with players of all backgrounds. Being able to speak more than one language is also a big plus, as it will allow you to communicate with a wider audience.
Being a poker dealer is not for everyone, but it can be a great career choice for those who have the right set of skills. You will need to be proactive in your efforts to pursue this career, but the rewards can be tremendous if you can manage to get a job at one of the world’s top gaming destinations. Regardless of where you decide to work, be sure to network as much as possible and keep your resume and LinkedIn profile updated.