While most people are perfectly happy enjoying their favourite casino games in a land-based or online casino as players, there are those who wonder what it’s like to be on the other side of the dealer’s table.
If you’ve ever wondered how to become a casino dealer, our today’s topic will be right up your alley. We’ll look into what it takes to become a dealer at a casino and provide you with answers to burning questions that you may be asking yourself if you’re considering embarking on this new journey in your life.
What Is a Casino Dealer?
A casino dealer is sometimes referred to as a croupier. The most basic job description of a casino dealer would be a person who runs games at casinos, but the actual job is a lot more than that.
A casino dealer needs to be well versed in a variety of casino games (be it blackjack, poker, roulette, craps, baccarat or others), be able to explain the rules of each game precisely and succinctly, interact with players easily, and maintain a high standard and reputation of the casino where they work.
All in all, while first and foremost a croupier is there to run the games in accordance with the casino’s house rules, they also need to have extremely good people skills, be very attentive to detail, and have proficient math skills needed to successfully keep track of bets and winnings.
Casino Dealer Requirements
So, what are the casino dealer requirements? Actually, there are quite a few prerequisites needed in order to become a casino dealer. Here are the most important ones:
- You need to be at least 18 years old
- You need to have a high school diploma or its equivalent (e.g. GED)
- You need to pass a dealer audition or, in case it’s available in the casino, complete the casino’s on-the-job training
- You mustn’t have any felonies, particularly misdemeanours related to theft
- While this rule varies from state to state (requirements are state-dependent), you need to obtain and maintain a gaming license (not to be confused with a casino license)
- You need to be able to maintain a flexible working schedule and be ready to work nights, weekends, and even holidays
How to Become a Casino Dealer: Casino Dealer Education and Training
If you’re wondering what kind of education you would need in order to become a casino dealer, you’ll be pleased to learn college education is not a requirement. In fact, in order to become a dealer you can complete the necessary training in just a few weeks.
There are a couple of ways to become a casino dealer:
- Go to a dealer school (e.g. The Casino Institute in San Diego, California; Casino Career Institute in Florida; Casino Gaming School of Nevada, appropriately situated in Las Vegas)
- Complete your croupier training in a casino
If you go down the dealer school route, it might typically take you between 8 and 12 weeks to complete the course. Once you’ve passed a dealer audition, you will be hired at a casino.
Alternatively, a casino might provide you with their own in-house training.
Obtain a Casino Dealer License
Again, it bears repeating that, in order to get a casino dealer license, you need to be at least 18 years of age.
The process starts with an application, after which you’ll have to pay the correct fees. Depending on where you live, you’ll need to submit specific documentation, but most likely the list will include your driver's license and a copy of your birth certificate.
Additionally, be prepared to undergo a thorough background check as, like we’ve previously mentioned, you mustn’t have a history of felony convictions or misdemeanours.
Lastly, you will need to complete an interview, as well.
How to Become a Blackjack Dealer
As a blackjack dealer, one of your duties will be to teach newbies how to play blackjack. Once more, in order to become a blackjack dealer, you need to be at least 18, with a high school diploma or GED. The same general rule applies here: in order to become a blackjack dealer, you will either have to complete a course at a dealer school or your training will be provided by a casino.
How to Become a Poker Dealer
Should you wish to become a poker dealer, it’s good to know that you can apply for a gaming license on your own. Again, you’ll need to prepare all the necessary documentation, a photo ID, pay a specific fee, and pass a detailed background check. Once you’re a poker dealer, one of your main tasks will be to run the game and succinctly explain how to play poker to your customers.
Essential Casino Dealer Skills
We’ve mentioned briefly at the start of this blog what kind of skills a casino dealer should possess, but let’s dive in a bit more deeply into the matter, shall we?
Communication Skills
As a casino dealer, you will be expected to communicate with players on a daily basis. Not only do you have to be able to explain all the specific rules in a clear and concise manner, but you’re also expected to be friendly with your customers. The ability to hold a conversation is a prerequisite for this job, even with all the possible distractions - from loud music to first-time players who might be confused by casino game rules.
Being Calm and Collected
Another important casino dealer skill is being able to remain calm and collected, especially during stressful situations. No matter how uncomfortable you might be, as a casino dealer it’s vital you keep your cool and never raise your voice.
Being an Extrovert
Being an extrovert isn’t a skill, but it certainly comes in handy when being a casino dealer. As an outgoing individual, you’ll need to be able to keep your players engaged and keep their spirits up even when they’re losing. The better you are at creating and maintaining relationships, the more likely it is that players will return to your table and even leave you tips.
Physical Stamina
It’s true; this isn’t an easy job, especially physically. As a casino dealer, you’ll work standing, and you’ll be stretching over the table repeatedly, for hours at a time, so it’s important your body is healthy and your physical stamina is high.
Analytical Reasoning
As we mentioned at the start of this article, math skills are also needed if you wish to be a casino dealer. Not only will you have to successfully keep track of winnings and loses, but you’ll also need to stay alert, be able to detect possible cheating, and notice other types of tricks or unfair play.
How Much Do Casino Dealers Make?
Now that we’ve covered the topic of casino dealer skills, it’s time to answer some of the most burning questions out there, starting with how much money casino dealers make.
According to the 2021 U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics report, Civic and Social Organisations have the highest hourly mean wage of $16.02, making them the top-paying industry for casino dealers.
The average casino dealer salary in the US is $77,482, while the lowest might be $15,850 and the highest casino dealer salary can reach an incredible $430,665.
What Hours Will I Be Working as a Casino Dealer?
We’ve already mentioned that as a casino dealer you should be prepared to work days, nights, weekends, even holidays, which is to be expected since casinos are open 24/7.
How Long Does It Take To Become a Casino Dealer?
Most casino dealer courses take between 8 and 12 weeks. However, you might even find certain courses that can be completed in no more than 4 weeks.
Do I Need to Be Good at Math to Be a Casino Dealer?
Yes, having good math skills is a prerequisite for becoming a casino dealer. This doesn’t necessarily mean a mathematics degree (if you have it, good for you!); however, you will need to be able to perform fast and accurate calculations in your mind, and be able to easily keep track of scores and bets.
Can Casino Dealers Gamble Where They Work?
Every casino has their own set of specific house rules, so this will depend on the casino you work in. Certain casinos allow their dealers to gamble at their place of work; others strictly prohibit it, so it’s extremely important to check your casino’s rules and adhere to them.
What to Do When You Become a Casino Dealer?
As we said at the very beginning of this blog, as a casino dealer your job will essentially be to run games at a casino.
However, as shown later in the article, you will need to pay attention to your demeanour, as well. Not only that, but having significant casino game knowledge comes in handy, as well. Why not brush up on your gambling terms, while you’re still here?
Ultimately, we hope our casino dealer tips will help you on your journey to becoming a casino dealer and good luck!
