Working as a Casino Dealer

Working as a Casino Dealer

This article will help you understand what it’s like to deal at a casino. Nick talks about schedules, tips, extra boards, opening games, breaks and learning new games.

Your Schedule

A typical schedule is one hour of dealing followed by a 20 minute break, or 40 minutes of dealing followed by a 20 minute break. This cycle continues until you go home at the end of your shift. Some of the smaller casinos may leave you on the table for a couple of hours if you’re running “hot” (winning the player’s money). But once you get into a larger casino you’ll find that they have more regular schedules.

The Extra Board

Most new dealers are hired on a full-time basis, but if you receive a part-time schedule your name will appear on the “Extra Board” which is a list of dealers that can be called in at any time and on any day. It’s important to make yourself available for these erratic schedules because your flexibility will be appreciated and you’ll be the first to move into a full-time position when it becomes available.

Full-Time Dealers

Full-time dealers usually work in 8 hour shifts and have a regular schedule (the same hours and the same days off each week). In addition to getting a full 40 hours of work each week you’ll also quality for various benefits including health insurance.

Get to Work Early

Always clock in at the correct time, or a few minutes early if you’re instructed to do so by your floor person. You should plan to be in the dealer room at least 10 minutes before your shift begins. This will give you some time to read any new information posted in the dealer room and to check the tokes (to see how much you made in tips the previous day).

How Much Did I Make Yesterday?

Most casinos collect the money in the toke boxes once every 24 hours. A special “toke committee” calculates each dealer’s share based on the hours you worked within that 24 hour period. Some small casinos pay you in cash the following day, but the bigger casinos include the tokes in your paycheck.

The Buzz Session

Your floor person may meet with you and the other dealers prior to your shift. A typical meeting may include an explanation of new games or procedures, a discussion of special offers the casino is promoting, or other information that you’ll need during your shift. These meetings often end with an enthusiastic “rah-rah-rah” cheer to get everyone in the mood to entertain the players.

Which Table Do I Go To?

Most casinos use a “road map” to ensure that the incoming dealers will tap out the correct people. The road map is prepared prior to your shift and usually assigns a group of four dealers to handle three tables, with one dealer always on a break. You’ll check the road map and go directly to your assigned table, unless you are assigned “first break”. The dealer who gets “first break” goes on the first 20 minute break.

Tapping Into an Open Game

If the table is already open, tap the dealer lightly on the shoulder and say something like “John coming in.” A good dealer will introduce you to the players as she leaves the table, making a nice smooth transition for everyone. The previous dealer leaves the table by clearing her hands, showing them front and back and stepping away to the right. You must step up to the table immediately and take control of the game at this point. A good way to get things started is to introduce yourself to the players, ask how they’re doing and wish them good luck. Then you’ll begin dealing as you normally would.

Opening a Game

You’ll often be assigned to a table that has not yet been opened. Stand at the table and wait for the floor person to unlock the lid (the cover that locks into place over the chips, keeping them secure). Once the lid has been unlocked you’ll remove it and place it under table. Remove the piece of paper that shows the total amount of chips that were in the tray when it was locked. Both you and the floor person will count the chips in the rack and verify that the totals match the previous closing amount. Both of you will sign the slip, showing that you agree with the count. You’ll then push the slip into the drop box slot. The drop box is where you put all currency that you exchange for chips during the game.

Verifying a New Deck of Cards

The floor person will open one (or more) new decks of cards depending on the type of game you’re dealing. The floor person will check to see if all the cards are there, remove the jokers, and set the deck on the table in front of you. Now it’s your turn to check the deck. You’ll spread the cards face up across the table to ensure that the deck is complete. Then you’ll scoop up the cards, turn the deck over and spread them across the table again so you can examine the backs. Be sure that there are no identifying marks or print errors on the backs of the cards. After that you’ll shuffle the deck according to your casino’s policy.

New decks are also brought in during games to replace old decks. Most casinos do this once every 2-3 hours. When this happens you’ll follow the same procedure to check the cards.

Dealing the Game

You’ll want to deal an accurate game based on the procedures set up by your casino. Security is very important so make sure you’re practicing good game protection. Be aware of all the bets on the table and be careful not to reveal your hole card when you bury it. Walk your game so you can keep the entire table in your line of vision. Never turn around or take your eyes off the game.

Keep in mind that everything you do is being watched by your floor person and the surveillance cameras. Your handling of cash, chips and cards must clearly show what’s happening in each transaction. If you make a mistake, don’t try to fix it yourself. Call the floor person over so that he can resolve it in a reasonable way.

In addition to dealing an accurate game you’ll want to keep the action moving and maintain a friendly dialogue with the players. Try to mention any special offers or promotions the casino is featuring that day. If the players are having fun they’ll play longer and there’s a good chance you’ll get some tokes from them. Be sure to thank them for the tokes!

Getting Tapped Out

You’ll normally get tapped out of the game after 40 minutes to an hour. Thank the players, wish them good luck, clear your hands and exit to the right. Now it’s your turn to take a 20 minute break in the dealer’s room. When you return to the pit you’ll tap out the next person in your rotation.

Lunch Breaks

There is no such thing as a “lunch break” when you work as a dealer. You have to eat during one of your 20 minute breaks. Some larger casinos have Employee Dining Rooms where you can eat free but you’ve got to go there, eat and come back in 20 minutes. This is why many dealers bring a sack lunch to save time.

Use Your Breaks to Learn New Games

You get a lot of breaks during your shift so be sure to spend some of this time observing and learning new games. Dealing in a smaller casino gives you a great opportunity to learn additional games. Always pick the best dealers and ask them to help you learn the games you don’t know. This is the best way to secure your job and your future.