How To Become A Professional Casino Dealer
Standing in the center of a crowded casino, effortlessly shuffling cards and calculating complex payouts, is a highly skilled profession.
Many people are drawn to the profession by the exciting atmosphere, the flexible hours, and the potential for massive tips.
Learning the Trade: Casino Academies
You cannot simply walk into a casino and ask for a job dealing blackjack; you must be professionally trained first.
You will typically start by learning Blackjack, as it is the foundation, before moving on to complex games like Craps or Roulette.
The final exam consists of a live audition where you must deal a flawless game while instructors actively try to confuse youYou must pass a rigorous FBI background check and obtain a gaming license from the state before you can legally workEven a minor criminal record involving theft or fraud will permanently disqualify you from ever holding a gaming license
Surviving the Grind: The Dealer's Life
The job is physically demanding; you will be standing in one spot, making repetitive hand motions for eight straight hours.
While the base salary is often just minimum wage, a good dealer at a busy, high-end casino can make $70,000 to $100,000 a year in tips.
Game MasteryTraining TimeTip Potential (Demand)Blackjack / Baccarat4 - 6 WeeksModerate (Very common skill)Craps10 - 14 WeeksExtremely High (Rare skill)
Becoming a professional dealer is a fantastic, non-traditional career that offers excellent benefits and incredible people-watching opportunities.