So You Want to be a Dealer?
By Crazyman

You play countless hours in that loose 3-6 game. Your name appears on 2 different waiting lists. You wonder if your bankroll will survive much longer. Could this ever get easy? It could, if you were the one dealing! But how do you become the one that is dealing? In this story, I'll take you through the ropes of one of the greatest experiences in my life: Dealing Poker!

I had been a blackjack dealer for 21 years, and I had also dealt craps and the other games casino's offer. It's funny, but I loved poker all that time, and it never occurred to me to deal the game. Eventually, I burnt out of dealing and became unemployed. So I took the money I had and tried to play poker semi-professionally. But with little success in tourney play, and moderate success in live action, I became bored as a player. I needed work, because my family wasn't allowing my playing skills to support them (or the other way around). So I decided to try and deal the game and ended up getting a job at the Orleans. I liked their poker room and the fact that they have 2 tournaments daily.

What follows next are the things you need to do and think about to get to where I have:

I inquired in the poker room if they were hiring dealers. Remember that I have 21 year's experience, but not in dealing poker. I had only played poker. But I felt a slight advantage, anyway. You could also go to poker school, (not poker school online!) and pay some outrageous sum to learn to deal. But if you are a player, you just need to learn to pitch (deliver the cards). They informed me that auditions (that is where you show up to deal in front of them to show you know how to deal) were held on Wednesdays and Fridays. I took note and got ready to show up Friday. When you go on an audition, it is proper to wear black pants and a white shirt. It was standard in blackjack, and it is standard in poker.

Friday was here, and I was becoming nervous. Sure, I'd been dealing for years, but never this game! I talked to XXXXX. (I won't use any names) and he said the casino wasn't hiring right now, but they did have a waiting list. But I just wanted an audition? Well, I got the audition! I went to the tourney area, and lucky for me, there was no real money, and no rake! Very lucky. Most places now have a bad beat jackpot drop along with the rake. The standard rake in poker is 5%, $3 max. In Holdem it's 5%, $3.50 max and in Omaha 8 or better also, and it's 10%, $4 max in 7 Stud.

They were playing an Omaha 8 or better tournament. Funny, I don't remember ever playing 8 or better. As a matter of fact, I thought I might be in for some trouble here! OK. STOP! There really is no trouble when you audition. Either you pass or fail. But in any audition, prepare to be nervous. It just happens. So, I was really nervous. But I sat down like a pro. The cards were not the ones I was use to. They were bendable plastic. Damn. Trouble again! I dealt 2 hands, and neither pot was split. I had passed the audition, and was put on the waiting list! Kinda like catching that spade on the river for the nut flush! Of the 7 people on the list, I was #2 to be hired, which by the way, took 3 weeks. But I had done something I had never done before...DEALT POKER.

So, if you want to be a poker dealer, follow this checklist and take a shot. You can only get beat on the river!

1. Find out when rooms auditions.

2. Show up in proper attire.

3. Have knowledge of poker.

4. Learn to pitch those plastic cards.

5. Keep deck close to table and never roll (that's when you turn the deck over with your hand).

6. Know your rakes.

7. Keep a good attitude, for you will definitely need it!