Making a living as a traveling poker dealer

[mco65]

Was wondering what the dress code is for Dealers at WSOP and other events. Do you have to dress up real spiffy? Do they provide a uniform??
Thanks for such great information!!!!

 

[michele0203]

Here's one more free class, this one is in Cincinnati. if nobody's interested I'll stop posting these:

http://www.indeed.com/viewjob?jk=f92257e657168bfe

I'm VERY interested, please continue to post about classes especially the FREE ones!    

TIA!

 

[michele0203]

Card Dealer Positions Open! Will Train! - Minneapolis, MN 55413 - Indeed Mobile
http://www.indeed.com/m/viewjob?jk=a8b3ded28327afbc

I just found this on Indeed...I don't think it's a formal course, but not a bad way to make some money and check out if this is something you're interested in. Of coyrse, it's in MN so it will be cold, but it could be a place to start without much of a financial investment.

 

[Reducto]

No poker in that class but knowing table games will give you a bit of a head start. I do see a lot of openings for short notice/on call party and charity event dealers.

 

[Reducto]

Two more classes popped up:
$175 fee for a 5 week class in Oneida, NY
https://www.hrapply.com/onellc/AppJ...skimNdx=3&op=reset&electronic_referral=indeed

3 week class in Elgin, IL. Not sure if they pay you or you pay them, but if you're in the area it's worth looking into:
https://www.hrapply.com/grandvictoriaelgin/AppJobView.jsp?link=4213&electronic_referral=indeed

 

[Goshawk]

So are you satisfied with the work and the pay? Seems a nice on/off pattern to live a life without too much worry of income.


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[Reducto]

Yes, I'm still enjoying the work and the pay is decent. There are some dealers who manage to find work pretty much year-round by picking up shifts in regular poker rooms between tournaments. I've been doing a little of that but mostly I'd rather just go find some good weather and relax.

 

[Goshawk]

Yes, I'm still enjoying the work and the pay is decent. There are some dealers who manage to find work pretty much year-round by picking up shifts in regular poker rooms between tournaments. I've been doing a little of that but mostly I'd rather just go find some good weather and relax.

Would you call the work stressful at all? Assuming you have enough experience and are confident. Is there any way that a person can make a stupid mistake ( like being falsely accused of criminal activity)?


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[Reducto]

It can be intense when you first start because there are so many things to keep track of and act instantly on. Once you get the hang of it I wouldn't call it stressful. You have to stay very focused, but once each half hour segment is finished you can flush out your head and start over. There are the occasional annoying customer but you can always vent about them to the other dealers when you're on break. The only tournaments I've worked at where it became stressful was where I didn't like my boss, so I just finished out those 10 days and didn't go back to that stop. Bosses like that don't get a lot of work so they're easy to avoid.

All dealers make mistakes. As long as you stay calm when it happens and don't screw up a LOT it's not a big deal.

I've heard a few examples of people losing jobs due to dumb things or random power trips but it's infrequent and there are always other jobs to switch to. Failing a drug test can get you banned from specific casinos for a year but you usually have notice that the test is coming. It's very rare for anything short of assault to result in criminal charges so I wouldn't worry about that.

 

[Reducto]

Was wondering what the dress code is for Dealers at WSOP and other events. Do you have to dress up real spiffy?  Do they provide a uniform??
Thanks for such great information!!!!

Sorry I missed this question when it first came up. You would need to provide your own black pants, black shoes, black socks, and white dress shirt. They don't have to be fancy, just clean and the correct color.

Most other events provide shirts, you always need the pants shoes and socks.

 

[Firefly]

I found this ad looking for WSOP Dealers at the Rio:

https://caesars.hodesiq.com/jobs/default.aspx?JobID=5388692&returnPath=

I'm interested but the position requires a minimum of six month's experience and I don't have any experience.

 

[Reducto]

Normally they state 6 months experience OR completion of a dealing class. I'd be surprised if they were rejecting anyone who completed dealer school considering they were about 400 dealers short last year. If I find out different I'll let you know.

 

[Firefly]

Thank you! I'm currently in Vegas and was planning to leave in May. I'm happy to hang around for this opportunity if it's available to me!

 

[rtb111]

Hi Reducto,

Thanks so much for all of this information! I am currently attending the dealer school at Turning Stone in NY. I'm about half way through and then will take an audition for a position here. I have been liking into the WSOP stuff for this year, and am thinking about trying to get an audition if it looks like I can't get enough hours here. I am also in the process of outfitting my Van for extended stay, and was wondering what are your thoughts about van dwelling while working the WSOP in Vegas. Thanks!

 

[Reducto]

Awesome! Las Vegas in July is HOT. The concrete really holds in that heat and there are stretches where it doesn't get below 90 at night and hits 110 fairly early in the day.

There are a lot of empty RV spaces that time of year, so if you have AC and can find somewhere to plug in you should be set. Otherwise, there are short term rentals for $800/mo and people looking for roommates for less than that.

 

[Reducto]

Actually looking back I was just over 40 hours per week from May 31-July 16. I could have done 50+ if I said "yes" every time they asked me if I wanted to stay or go.

This seemed wrong when I posted it - I looked back at my numbers while doing my taxes and I actually worked about 57 hours per week last year. I also made more than I thought - hourly was still around $35.

It's kind of late notice but here's a free school happening soon in Cincinnati if you happen to be there:
https://re31.ultipro.com/GRE1028b/JobBoard/JobDetails.aspx?__ID=*E485B0CE954D5790

 

[VanKitten]

Because I spent time hanging out at racetracks....up in the grandstand building which is usually connected to the casino....I see many places have these computer dealers. Really...seems odd to want to have a computer screen game, but this was becoming wide spread.

I haven't been into a casino is a while (2015). But already this was happening ... Gulfstream, DelPark, Atlantic City, Hollywood, Parx, etc.

I am wondering if this is spreading west? Anyone know about the Fairgrounds? Arapaho? Santa Anita?

 

[Reducto]

Do you mean the ones with a big video screen showing a person (usually a busty female) gesturing at the players and pretending to deal the game? That's blackjack or some other table game, doesn't really affect poker turnout.

I agree, they are odd and a little creepy. They don't really interact with the players but I'm sure that's coming.

 

[Becky]

This is fantastic news. I currently work in a Casino in Oklahoma. I only deal table games at the moment but we have an up coming poker class that I am registered to take. I am also planning on a move to Washington to be closer to my son and am planning to live off grid out of my car until I can save some money. I would love to be a full time nomad. This thread has made me realize it is possible. Thanks so much for the information.

 

[Reducto]

More classes popped up today in the NE, all look like they are free.

Foxwoods in Mashantucket, CT. Last time I was there they had a free RV lot:
https://www.indeed.com/viewjob?jk=b7414c76e451c7b5&alid=57576773e4b0696dd06ab024

Dover Downs in Dover, DE
https://www.indeed.com/viewjob?jk=0c9fe2c5c4a7aeff&alid=57576773e4b0696dd06ab024

Firekeepers in Battle Creek, MI:
https://www.indeed.com/viewjob?jk=97c249c4ba87e6c9&alid=57576773e4b0696dd06ab024

I'm sure not many of you are in Las Vegas right now due to the heat but the WSOP is happening right now. Stop by and take a look if you happen to pass through in the next few weeks.