What traits make a good card dealer?

Question

I am starting dealer school very soon and I want to know what things I should focus on?

Answer 1

A good dealer should have good control of the game. Anyone can deal out a deck of cards, but it takes a good dealer to be able to run the game. Should be accurate, alert, and efficient. Keep chit-chatting to a minimum to avoid holding up the game or mistakes like burn & turn, which will really stir up the players. Have good personality and do not argue back or make excuses when mistakes are made. Good shuffling & pitching will come with practice. And last but not least....respect your floormen or pitbosses!! Good luck!

Answer 2

Being good looking is a great start. I know it sounds sexist, but considering for the most part you'll be dealing with a majority of male customers, it's true.

After that, be cheerful and upbeat. While it's just a job to you, for the person you are dealing to it's enjoyment and fun. Heck, it might be the only vacation they will get all year. So make it fun for them. So even if they lose their shirt, they can at least still have a good time. Don't forget, even though you are slinging cards, if the customer is having a good time (and winning) they're more likely to tip you than if you are a quiet robot.

Be professional. If you make a mistake, acknowledge it and apologize. At the same time, don't stand for abuse from the players. It's demeaning to you, but it's also bad for the casino. Some jerk with a chip on his shoulder can suck the fun out of a table in an instant. Then those customers may pick up their chips and play at another table, or worse, another casino.

Good Luck and I hope to see you at a casino soon!

Answer 3

Being a dealer is a very delicate balance. Not only do you need to focus on getting and keeping your job, but you are also there to make money too.

From an employers standpoint you will want to be competent. Know the procedures, follow the rules, and keep your mistakes to a minimal. Practice enough to get your "hands per hour" up. And on the rare occasion when you do make a mistake, know enough to call over a supervisor. You will want to be polite and professional at all times, while also being efficient(fast but not spastic).

From the players standpoint. The players want to have a good time. That means something different to each different player. You will find players that want dealers to shut up, deal fast and not make mistakes, and you'll find players that want a dealer to keep them entertained all night. This is going to be up to you to identify the different needs of these players.

The bottom line with all players is be polite, be friendly, and keep the mistakes to a minimal. Most importantly of all, as a dealer it is NOT your place to argue with a player. If you are having a problem with a player let your supervisor deal with it. You will never get in more trouble than if a player makes a complaint about you arguing with them. It will generally not even matter if they were at fault or not.

Answer 4

Just take your time and go slow, don't try and go very fast at first, that will all come in time. Just get down the technique first and the speed will come on its own. Is this for poker, or another table game? I deal poker and paying attention to the little things is the hardest part of dealing a game well. Also just being professional at all times is key, some dealers don't take it very serious, but i do. If it's poker you are dealing go ahead and buy the poker dealers handbook by Dan Paymar and Donna Harris, it is the poker bible for dealers. Just remember it's push the pot, move the button, drop the rake, and muck the winning hand.

Answer 5

As a dealer, I find that three generalities make a good dealer: tact, technique, and diplomacy...Tact is the ability to communicate with customers smoothly and as politely as possible. Reprimanding a player who, let's say, bets incorrectly (say, a string raise in poker) tactfully or abruptly could mean the difference in tips from that player for a long time. Technique is the ability to shuffle, pitch, knowledge of the rules of the game, the mechanics...the better and faster you are, the better all-around....and diplomacy, handling rude or angry customers, or just a chit-chat kind of thing. And lastly, I would add adaptability...knowing the table...for example (I'll take poker again because that's what I deal) if I sit down on a high-stakes table, I know to keep talking at the very minimum, and they expect a high-degree of technical expertise and professionalism...if I sit on a 2/4 limit hold-em game with people there to party and have fun, I know to keep it light and interesting....Hope this helps...

Answer 6

Hand dexterity to not fumble the cards, a pleasant smile for your customers, the ability to memorize the rules of the games even the weird uncommon ones, enough poise to not be flustered when things are not going well or customers are acting rude, the gift of gab to convince customers that you are interested in how well they are doing, and enough physical stamina to stand on your feet for a full shift.

Of course if you look like a hottie in your dealer's outfit that is a definite plus, although the school can't do much for that.

Answer 7

A good dealer knows all the rules, announces the action as it occurs, keeps the game moving (i..e, prompting players when its their turn) and keeps the mood at the table light. They also don't distract the game with their conversation or by theatrically shuffling/dealing/etc. When there is a problem, they call the floor over. That covers it all.

Answer 8

Don't worry about anything your training officer will fill you in on what you need and the training will cover the rest. All you have to do is try hard and apply your self. Once you are trained try to be as customer friendly as possible. Other than that at this point in your career enjoy yourself.

Answer 9

- Deal cards smoothly and quickly.
- Follow the procedures of the employer.
- Be nice and friendly.
- Pretend you are having fun, even if you are not.

Answer 10

You must be jovial and quick witted and also good at handling cards