A Casino Dealer Your Ideal Career | Dream Job or Night Mare
Being a casino dealer could seem like the best job in the world if you enjoy gambling. You get to play the same games you enjoy, but from the opposing side of the table, which means you’ll have a slightly higher chance of winning.
Yes, they pay you, but you don’t get to keep the winnings, right? In addition, you’ll receive advice from appreciative gamers and always be in the thick of things when someone hits a huge jackpot.
Making the move into a new setting, whether it’s for your first job application or you want to pursue a new career, can be intimidating, especially if it’s something you haven’t done well before. One such career option that fits that description is being a casino dealer in a real, brick-and-mortar casino.
These days, being a casino dealer is a very sought-after career, especially as more people become aware of the advantages that a wide variety of casino classics have to offer and as their understanding of casino gaming increases. For instance, roulette and poker have always been included in Bond films and classics like The Deer Hunter, but it hasn’t always been possible to play these games at a real casino. This could be due to a lack of casinos in the area or the fact that going to a posh casino isn’t always appealing.
But because of advancements in contemporary technology, players can now learn more about traditional table games by playing virtual poker games like Zynga Poker on well-known social media sites like Facebook and investigating roulette at a reliable online casino like casino.com. People have therefore been able to have a deeper comprehension of casino gambling and perhaps even visit a real casino as a result of it.
Growing public awareness of casino gaming has coincided with an increase in the allure of working in one. People are therefore seizing the chance to work as casino dealers more often. But how can one become a dealer at a casino? Is it also a wise professional choice?
Every day, the gambling industry grows more competitive, and casinos all over the world are searching for skilled dealers to staff their establishments.
Though you may get a rush of enthusiasm when thinking about entering the dealer business, there are a few things you should think about before making the move. Here are some advantages — as well as disadvantages – of being a casino dealer.
See our in-depth guide on casino dealers for additional details.
1. The Advice
The main money is made in the US in tips (in certain other countries, dealers are paid a greater base pay instead of tips), which raises the potential total amount that a dealer may make considerably.
Depending on the game they’re dealing, how busy they are, and how giving the players are, tips can help dealers earn anywhere from a few additional bucks to $50 or more each hour. Dealing poker offers the greatest tips, but it’s also the most difficult and skill-intensive game because of all the rules (which can sometimes differ from house to house), players, and pots to keep track of.
The total amount that a casino dealer can make varies greatly when tips (and whatever benefits the casino offers to its employees) are taken into account. A lot of people estimate it to cost between $30,000 and $60,000 annually. Though new dealers should be aware that this is not usual, some dealers may earn considerably more than that, reaching as high as $100,000 or higher.
Remember that certain casinos split tips among their dealers, so regardless of how much your players pay you for your work, you’ll be splitting it with your colleagues. You better hope they’re doing a fantastic job, too!
Furthermore, keep in mind that the biggest whales are not always the biggest tippers; stories of pro player cheapskates (which usually refer to poker players, but are not limited to them) who disregard tipping etiquette and leave little to no tip after winning enormous pots are common in high-roller rooms.
Conversely, lower-limit games can occasionally attract more laid-back, recreational players who tip more generously because they are merely having fun and believe that the money is all found anyhow.
2. The Instruction
You might not have realized, but becoming a dealer has several advantages. In general, not much training is required to enter the business; in two months or less, a certified dealer school may have you prepared to handle at least some games (like blackjack), and the cost of that instruction may be less than $1,000. Even internal training is provided by certain casinos, particularly during their initial operations.
Being a competent casino dealer requires not just training but also how you communicate with the players.
How much the players like you will determine how much money you make as a “average” dealer. This implies that not only would more experienced dealers receive larger tips, but they will also perform better if they are more affable.
Dealing isn’t the career for you if you’re not a “people person.”
3. The Adaptability
For many employees, a casino’s schedule might also be advantageous. Since most casinos are open twenty-four hours a day, seven days a week, schedulers are usually accommodating to dealers who require certain times off in advance or who wish to work irregular hours.
Naturally, if the scheduler assigns you to work during quiet periods or requires you to work hours that are inconvenient for you or your family, or during important holidays when the casino needs to remain fully staffed for players, then the scheduler can also be your worst enemy.
4. The Advantages
The advantages can sometimes be a startling bonus for casinos run by big businesses. Numerous casinos provide health insurance and retirement plans, along with flexible work schedules that make planning vacations and personal days even simpler.
If you’d like, you might even be able to move to a different casino run by the same company. It is not usually the case that dealers at deluxe facilities in Las Vegas receive larger tips than their counterparts at smaller regional casinos. It goes without saying that you should be at a large casino if you’re dealing with high rollers in the VIP area because the tips you receive will be significantly larger than those on the normal floor, and these opportunities are exclusive to upscale resorts.
As an alternative, if you are open to exploring new places, you might choose a career as a trader aboard a cruise ship.
The Not So Excellent
1. The Pay
The first thing you should know if you’re considering a career in casino dealing is that the base pay, or the money the casino pays you directly, is not very high for dealing poker, blackjack, baccarat, or other casino games like roulette.
You might very easily start out making the minimum pay, or less, and work your way up to $10 or more as you gain experience. A casino dealer’s annual basic pay, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, is $34,350 on average.
A dealer may have to work at slower-paced, less-popular games that yield smaller tips when they initially start at a new casino. Additionally, there may be seasonal variations in the demand for dealers. For example, if fewer tables are needed at the casino, less hours will be available for employment, which reduces the earning potential of being a dealer.
2. The Wear and Tear
Being a dealer has benefits, no doubt, but there are drawbacks as well, aside from the pay.
You should enjoy being mobile, to start. While dealers of other table games will need to stand the entire time they are on duty, poker dealers might be able to sit while dealing their game. Although dealers typically work an hour on the floor and then take a 20-minute break, the job can be psychologically and physically taxing due to the amount of work done while standing at the table. Nevertheless, you will get breaks.
3. The Ignorant Actors
Even though the majority of players are there to have fun, some of them are simply downright nasty. Players frequently criticize dealers for their own misfortune and subpar play, and it only becomes worse when dealers actually make mistakes. You’ve undoubtedly already observed this.
However, you could be depressed by more than just irate players. You might not be able to handle the emotional demands of being a dealer if you don’t think you can handle accepting big payments from players at the tables.
4. Someone is Observing You
And keep in mind that you will always be under the vigilant and continuous watch of the casino’s security staff. Their primary responsibility is to safeguard their own funds, not that of their patrons, so they keep an eye out for anything that would appear to be dishonesty, collusion, or outright theft (of course!).
Should I make a deal or not?
We’ve covered both sides of the debate in this piece, but we don’t intend to deter anyone from becoming a dealer. While many others view it as a fantastic way to break into the gaming industry, for other people working as casino dealers truly is their ideal profession.
Becoming a casino dealer can be a great fit for you if you’re a people person who loves the vibe of the casino and can handle the inconsistent hours and pay. Are you curious to learn more? See the comprehensive and exclusive guide on Casino.org about how to become a casino dealer.
