How to be a Poker Dealer

Poker is one of the most interesting and popular card games in casinos. The game is challenging and requires a little skill and a lot of good strategies which is why so many players get hooked on to the game easily. By becoming a dealer in poker, you can get a slice of all the action at the casino. There are several casinos throughout the US and even in other countries and each casino always has a poker table.

Being a dealer is not the right career choice for everyone. A dealer has to work very hard and has to deal with the pressures of the high paced casino lifestyle. A poker dealer especially has to be very sharp and will need to be very well versed with the game in order to be able to stay one step ahead of the players at the table. A poker dealer will also have to be sociable and should be able to entertain the players at his/her table and keep them happy. The dealer will also need a lot of endurance since he/she will need to stand for long hours.

How to become a poker dealer

Becoming a poker dealer would need a little extra effort than a normal dealer since the game is a little more challenging. Given below are a few tips which will help you start your career as a poker dealer:

• Learn from the experts - In order to becoming a professional poker dealer, you will need to learn all the tricks of the trade. You will need to demonstrate your skills to the potential employers in order to be able to get the job. Attending a special poker class at a dealer school definitely helps. But at first you have to know how to choose a casino dealing school. There are several schools which specifically teach dealers how to deal in poker. A poker dealer might often need to have some prior experience in other types of casino games like blackjack or any other type of casino work. If you are dedicated in learning the game, there will be better chances for you to become a poker dealer.
• Familiarize yourself - Just learning the theory aspect of poker is not enough for a dealer. The dealer should be familiar with the casinos and how they operate. Study the casinos in the state where you plan to work. This will help you make some very important contacts in the industry. Also, this will be extremely helpful when you actually start looking for a job as a poker dealer. You will be able to know about the routine of poker dealers, how they operate and manage the game and what their normal duties would be.
• Get a license - A dealer will not only have to be qualified and familiar with poker, but will also need to be licensed. Any casino will require its dealers to have a dealer licensing from the state so it is very important for you to apply for a license before you start looking for a job as a poker dealer. The gaming boards in the state are usually responsible for issuing the licenses to dealers. There will be a thorough background check which will be done by the authorities and only after all the requirements are satisfied will you be able to get a license for being a professional poker dealer.