Profession: How Does a Dealer Work In a Casino?

Undoubtedly, every casino visitor has seen the dealers – they look flawless and seem just as happy as the ones who won the jackpot. And this can be seen at land-based casinos as well as online casinos, among which Woo Casino Canada stands out for its rich library of live dealer games. But is a dealer’s job really all about shuffling cards and rolling dice?

History of the Profession and Origin of the Word

When Blaise Pascal invented the roulette wheel at the end of the 18th century, the dealers we are used to seeing did not yet exist. Later in Great Britain, they were called people who stood behind a novice player and helped him to understand the rules. In the XX century, the global entertainment industry has grown rapidly, growing the number of establishments in Europe and the United States. This led to a need for qualified personnel who could serve the players at the highest level. It was Americans who created a special culture of gambling entertainment and gold standards of the game dealer profession.

At first, the word “dealer” was the one who was in charge of dealing with the cards. “Croupier” was someone who stood behind the player, with extra cash reserves to back him up during the gambling session. The word comes from croupe (“croup of a horse”) and was used by analogy with someone who rode behind on a horse. Subsequently, this was the name given to the person who collected money from the gaming table.

Duties of a Casino Dealer

The duties of a casino dealer vary from job to job. He is responsible for knowing the rules, understanding the odds of winning under different circumstances. The dealer must be able to convey this information to casino visitors of all skill levels. In addition, there are general obligations:

• Checking bets before and during each round;
• Showing hospitality and courtesy while maintaining control of the game;
• Explaining the rules of the game before the start;
• Checking cards, dice, and roulette;
• Collecting and distributing tokens depending on the results of the game;
• Quick counting, constant tracking of winnings and the course of the whole game;
• Knowledge of safety rules, which are related to the conditions of the casino.

The casino dealer should also monitor the game to make sure that all players follow the rules of the game and do not cheat. When there are a large number of customers, in addition to the dealer, an inspector or chief may also be at the table. He makes sure that players do not exchange cards in poker or toss chips on the roulette table after the bets are completed.

In addition to in-depth knowledge of the gaming process and the rules of the establishment, dealers are required to adhere to a strict dress code.

Basic Requirements for Dealers

The main skills that a person planning to start a career as a casino dealer should have are:

• A friendly and outgoing attitude and communication skills;
• Professionalism and knowledge of professional skills standards;
• Basic math skills;
• Good hand-eye coordination;
• Overall enjoyment of the unique casino atmosphere;
• Dexterity;
• Experience with cash;
• Familiarity with various casino games.

A casino dealer is expected to represent his establishment well to keep visitors coming back. The most important things for a dealer, however, are self-confidence, the ability to concentrate, to pay attention to even the smallest details while playing, resilience to changing conditions, and a high level of manual skills. A certain level of physical stamina won’t hurt either, as dealers spend most of their shifts on their feet.

Who and Where to Train as a Dealer

It’s not enough to know blackjack from A to Z to become a dealer. To get a job in a casino, candidates with no previous experience usually need to be trained. Today, most modern casinos have enough resources to train their own staff. Since such courses are arranged by employers themselves, you can count on further employment upon completion. To start training, you need to meet certain criteria.

A few basic criteria common to the whole industry:

• Age – at least 18 years old;
• Secondary education;
• No criminal record;
• Absence of drug addiction;
• Fluency in one or more foreign languages;
• Good eyesight and hearing;
• Punctuality, attentiveness, stress resistance, the ability to easily communicate with people.

At different institutions, training lasts from 1 to 3 months, and the daily workload can take from 2 to 8 hours. Most of the training includes math and mental counting lessons to ensure a sufficiently high level of productivity. Also, future dealers learn about gambling laws.

Pros, Cons, and Pitfalls of the Profession

As in any profession, there are positive and negative sides of being a dealer.

Anyone can learn the profession of a dealer, all you need is a good memory and the desire to communicate with people. This job offers many advantages:

• The opportunity to travel around the world;
• Studying and improving knowledge of a foreign language;
• paid internships and training;
• opportunity for professional development.

The amount of money that dealers earn varies depending on the market and the experience of the specialist. In the U.S. casinos usually introduce hourly pay – the rate depends on the level of the institution and is 5 – 11 dollars per hour, that is, up to 130 dollars per shift or about $ 2,000 per month.

The job of a dealer, at first glance, seems interesting and high-paying. However, they also face the disadvantages of the profession. The casino does not always offer the best atmosphere to work in:

• A rather tiring schedule (weekends, nights, holidays);
• Standing work (this often leads to back or joint pain);
• Contact with losing players – they often become insufferable and aggressive and blame the dealer for their failure.

The constant noise of slot machines and bright lights are liked by visitors and create an appropriate atmosphere. But they become monotonous and downright annoying after months or even years of operation, at a time when dealers need to remain vigilant throughout their shifts to avoid mistakes.