Ask a Dealer!
In an effort to stir up some casino related talk, I'm willing to answer (as best as I can) any questions you might have regarding being a professional gaming dealer, and life on the inside of a casino.
Any other dealers hanging out here are willing to chip in with comments are welcome.
Fire away!
Any other dealers hanging out here are willing to chip in with comments are welcome.
Fire away!
Comments
Negative. Setting a HPH quota would be very difficult to maintain. Good luck doing that on a Saturday night when everybody is loaded.
Actually when it's busy we are asked to slow down so the Surveillance Dept can watch the floor.
It's going to be a few more years, but yes, I'd like to grown with the casino.
We seem to get new KEMs in twice a year. The old setups are in absolutely terrible condition and are destroyed.
That's true. At our casino the decks are sorted by a Sup every time there is a dealer switch. If anyone is bringing their own aces in their sleeves, it won't take long to figure it out. Plus the cameras watching the action would hopefully pick up any shenanigans going on at a table.
Not sure on exactly what you're referring to too?
Does your casino consider hiring part-time semi-retired folks looking to earn some extra income or is it pretty well only full time?
What training / certification is required if you wanted to be hired?
You can answer from the PEI perspective cause I never know what the future could bring
Hey Steve!
At our casino, all dealers hired start out as part-time employees. Most seem to move into dealing from other depts. We only have 3 who are considered FT, with full benefits, Vacation and Sick time. I've seen no discrimination based on age of any employees. At 39, I'm not the oldest dealer by a long shot.
When I was hired I had no professional dealing experience, only playing/dealing at home poker games. I went from off the street basically into the casinos' training sessions. I didn't have to attend a separate dealer school and audition for the job like you have to do in Las Vegas. When we get a new game, all training is offered 'in house'.
If you ever make the move to the East Coast, look me up! We have contacts at every casino in the maritimes. I'm sure I could hook you up with some work!
do you pool all your tips for the night and divide them equally among all the dealers that night? if yes, do you prefer this dividing system?
what's the hardest game to deal for you?
I haven't had anything really bad happen to me personally, just some rude comments.
We do indeed pool our tips then for some fucking reason we give 20% to the Cage crew. Why? I don't know. I don't mind pooling if it was divided among the dealers only.
We only have poker, BJ, and Let it Ride so I'd say poker is the 'hardest' but it's not exactly rocket science, you know?
I'm always 'playing along' with the players. Not only to I read figure out their hands, I try to guess upcoming bets and strategy. I'm not always right but many of our players are very easy to read. I'm sure other dealers do the same. We constantly trade stories and comments on the play when we are on break. Like anywhere, there's been some crazy shit go down!
I suspect it's about leadership. It seems that the brass at Fallsview don't consider poker to be their top priority and that attitude has seeped down to the gaming mangers and dealers level. I'm sure the dealers don't care because their mangers might care but can't make any headway with the management. I've found that a little bit of care from the top, and pride from those in the gaming pit can go a long way with the players.
Mostly the hours. It's mostly evenings/weekends when I'm scheduled which takes away most of my family/social time. I don't go out in the evenings for fun anymore. That being said, I'm lucky to work and casino that actually closes and we don't have a graveyard shift. I have almost every morning and afternoon to myself, which is nice.
Dealing with the arseholes isn't fun either. I loath players that constantly whine about their bad luck. You'd think they'd figure out that they suck at gambling after they lose their first $1000. Geez.
Never. Our Sups know their stuff.
Several. Players that call out the card to make their hand drives me nuts. WE KNOW YOU NEED A FIVE. SHUT UP ALREADY!
1/2 NL, full table. UTG +1 raises to $15Three callers, including the button, and both of the blinds. Flop AAA, checked all around. Turn was a 9. Checked all around again. River a four. UTG (Hero) bets $20, button (villain) min raises to $40 basically telling the table that he has a Ace. The blinds fold and eagerly awaited the action from the hero. He replies 'I call. Have a Big Ace ONE TIME!' and tables pocket Queens. His One Time is granted and the Villain shows AKcc. The table erupts in cheers (including me) and what seems like the entire gaming pit rushes over to see the commotion. Except for the players on the second NL table, they look over with evil glares of jealousy.
Fun night!
Approximately:
Queens $9000
AK $4500
Table share $850
Shhh, the CRA might be monitoring...
Just working on my taxes this afternoon and NOT in a good mood.. You know that $160B? I'm not planning on paying any share of that..