How to Become a Professional Casino Dealer
Standing in the center of a crowded casino, effortlessly shuffling cards and calculating complex payouts, is a highly skilled profession.
Many people are drawn to the profession by the exciting atmosphere, the flexible hours, and the potential for massive tips.
Attending Casino Dealing School
The journey begins by enrolling in a dedicated, state-licensed casino dealing academy or trade school.
Students spend hundreds of hours practicing chip handling, mastering the ‘riffle’ shuffle, and memorizing payout tables.
- Some massive casino resorts offer free, in-house dealing schools, but you must pass an intense audition to be hired afterward
- Tuition for an independent dealing school can range from $500 to $2,000, depending on how many games you want to learn
- Craps is universally considered the hardest game to learn, but Craps dealers are always in high demand and make the best tips
Working Conditions and Earning Potential
The job is physically demanding; you will be standing in one spot, making repetitive hand motions for eight straight hours.
While the base salary is often just minimum wage, a good dealer at a busy, high-end casino can make $70,000 to $100,000 a year in tips.
| Career Progression | Job Title | Responsibility |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level | Break-in Dealer | Dealing low-limit blackjack on slow shifts |
| Management Level | Pit Boss / Floor Supervisor | Monitoring multiple tables, resolving disputes, tracking comps |
Becoming a professional dealer is a fantastic, non-traditional career that offers excellent benefits and incredible people-watching opportunities.