Hey guys! -excited-

Hey everyone. I know I've not been on here in a LONG time. But I've not been going to casinos in a long time either.

I have been playing a lot more poker at home then driving miles and miles to play casino games. And for the past year or so I have been dealing poker for the local bar games and fundraiser tournaments (little $15 buy-in tournaments with $5 going to charity). I've been unemployed since May and have spent time playing cards, dealing cards, and reffing soccer and football.)

ANYHOW. Somebody told another person about me and that I was a good dealer. I have never taken any school training and I don't have a state licence. How I learned to deal was mostly from playing, watching (intently), and some videos on YouTube posted by professional dealers. But they told somebody near by about me and tonight when I went to a local spot for the bar poker I was approached and asked to come up to the local card room tomorrow around 1pm for an audition to be a pro dealer for them. Small card room in a fairly underpopulated part of the state but I've been told the dealers there (not by this person who approached me) make about $100 a night. Beats being unemployed.

I was honestly caught off guard. Did not expect this at all. A little excited and a little nervous. I don't mind the idea of dealing professionally. I wish I had known how they learned about me or who mentioned me to them. The guy who asked me to come up there tomorrow said that they don't like taking applications or solicitation for new dealers they like for the employees they have to suggest or find talent for them.

So I'll go up there tomorrow- brush up on some ideas/technical knowledge tonight and see how I do. I'm a little concerned for what to wear. It's an audition not an interview so I don't want to be in a coat and tie and those things get in the way (A sports coat or suit hampers arm movement)- I'm guessing white/dress shirt and tie perhaps?

I'll let everyone know how it goes!

Good luck. If you get the job, try and get a few buddies to play at your table that first day. If you were not unemployed I would

suggest you give them money to play with. It has helped a few newbies I knew in the past.

you should dress in black pants, white dress shirt, no tie.

good luck. i'm sure you'll be good at it. you probably already have more experience than almost all pro casino dealers did when they were hired.

Please don't forget to breath.

Good luck.

That's really exciting. $100 a night is better than what a lot of people are earning in this kind of economy. A lot of people say it's all about finding something you enjoy doing, and your passion for dealing is clear.

I would dress up a bit, either a nice polo or a dress shirt. I don't think a jacket would be necessary for this type of audition. If you wore nice slacks you could get away with no tie, though that choice is up to you. Best of luck, be sure to let us know how it goes.

Black pants, white shirt. Look like a dealer if possible. Dress functional.

Act personable. Introduce yourself. They don't want a robot but they do want a good competent dealer.

If hired. No shenanighans like inviting friends or paying anyone anything. You are hired to deal, not solicit.

Malaru, aren't you the cop from Florida? Use it to your advantage and best of luck to you.

I deal for a poker leage several nights per week. I'm about 80 miles from the nearest card room so I doubt that I'd get tapped in such a manner. But I have no idea how I'd react if I were. Plus I have a day job...


As far as the audition goes, I'd wear a tuxedo shirt, no tie and my leather vest. But that's me.

Good luck!

Congratulations on the try out! I would recommend that you check with the local magistrate regarding licensing requirements. You will need to get your documents in order (they usually perform a criminal record, and credit check), and pay a fee (that your prospective employer will hopefully cover). Do you have anything in your background that would disqualify you (conviction for a crime involving money, unusually high debt, etc.) If so, better not to waste the time of a legitimate operator.

Also, continue to practice your card handling and chip cutting, and review standard procedures for common (and uncommon) issues like:

-- If the small blind busts out, what happens to the button and blinds on the next hand/round?
-- If a player exposes one or both hole cards.
-- Bets out of turn.
-- If you come across a cased card in various stages of a hand.
-- When is a raise allowed or not allowed after an all-in.
-- Short rebuys.
-- Split pot management/showdown.
-- Odd chip payout on split hands.
-- Missed Blinds.
-- Posting after a seat change.

Also, familiarize yourself with other games besides Hold 'Em. Omaha-8, Big-O, Stud, Mexican Poker...

Not sure why, but I read the OP job offer as a not-so-above-board gaming operation, as opposed to a casino. Someplace that wants competent dealers, and runs a straight game, but does not have any licensing requirements or concerns.... ;-)

I think one of the hardest things for new dealers is remembering to take the rake after each street.

Quote: Ayecarumba

... and review standard procedures for common (and uncommon) issues like:

-- If the small blind busts out, what happens to the button and blinds on the next hand/round?
-- If a player exposes one or both hole cards.
-- Bets out of turn.
-- If you come across a cased card in various stages of a hand.
-- When is a raise allowed or not allowed after an all-in.
-- Short rebuys.
-- Split pot management/showdown.
-- Odd chip payout on split hands.
-- Missed Blinds.
-- Posting after a seat change.

Interestingly, these are ALL items that fall under House Rule. I.E. They can differ from one poker room to another, and even from game to game within a single room.

Quote: Ayecarumba

Also, continue to practice your card handling and chip cutting, and review standard procedures for common (and uncommon) issues like:

-- If the small blind busts out, what happens to the button and blinds on the next hand/round?
-- If a player exposes one or both hole cards.
-- Bets out of turn.
-- If you come across a cased card in various stages of a hand.
-- When is a raise allowed or not allowed after an all-in.
-- Short rebuys.
-- Split pot management/showdown.
-- Odd chip payout on split hands.
-- Missed Blinds.
-- Posting after a seat change.

Also, familiarize yourself with other games besides Hold 'Em. Omaha-8, Big-O, Stud, Mexican Poker...

The above issues, you will learn when you are hired. Each house is different.
My advice is breath, talk clearly and don't turn your deck hand over (this was my biggest flaw when I broke in).
As a manager, I am more willing to give someone with no expierence a shot over someone with a little, due to the fact that I can train them my way and I don't have to spend a great deal of time "breaking" bad habbits.

Remeber: PUSH THE POT, DROP THE ROCK (RAKE), MOVE THE DOT...

GOOD LUCK!!!

Quote: ShiftyRicky

Remeber: PUSH THE POT, DROP THE ROCK (RAKE), MOVE THE DOT...

GOOD LUCK!!!

lol, I like that- never heard that phrase before. I was playing out in Jax a couple days ago and the chips were sticking together so bad it was maddening. Im trying to do a proper cut and between the size of my fingers over the chips and the chips sticking I looked clumsy as all hell.

One reason I was asked about doing the dealing is because I am familiar with various games. To one degree or another I fee comfortable around:

texas hold em (limit, no limit, pot limit, ante only)
omaha (same as above, including hi-lo)
razz
stud (hi-lo)
badugi
low ball (single and triple draw)
chinease
5-card draw
and variations thereof such as horse or 8-game mixes

the hard thing I can think of that not technical (how to shuffle/deal/chip cut) is getting a quick read off a Omaha hand- it tames me a minute to compare

Also I am a little questionable with my pitch- I can deal quick but I dont think I do a proper pitch- I use a modified pitch I shouldnt be using- and if I do the general way of doing it i feel like I expose the cards too much.

What they were told was I could deal fast, I am good at splitting up pots (multi-allins), and I know omaha.

Oh and a follow up- friday afternoon they were slammed and the main person I needed to see was not there or busy one- and I was asked to come up monday instead. So.. to be continued