Ask the dealer

I am a dealer in England. anyone wanting to ask anything about working in a casino, or anything at all, ask away, and ill be more than happy to help in any way I can.

I think the Wizards sites are fantastic, so this is my attempt to try and contribute to the further success of the site.

OK, here goes:

As someone who was introduced to casino gambling by a friend who neglected to tell me much about what to expect, and certainly failed to warn me etiquette was important, I keep thinking that the dealers I ran into while fumbling through the process could have been more helpful. I was somehow expected to learn the ropes on my own. Is it possible that the feeling really is, that I wasn't welcome if I didn't know the etiquette? And the tipping! I just had no concept that tips were expected. Couldn't the dealers have tipped me off? [no pun intended].

Maybe somebody should be walking around handing out a brochure or something [g].

In our casino we generally try to ecourage new members (to enter most uk casinos you have to be a member, but membership is free) and new players by giving them brief instructions on how to play the games as well as showing them around.

Etiquette is a difficult one to approach, as dealers are not sure how much the player actually knows. I try and approach breaches in etiquette when they occur in a friendly and jovial manner, rather than pointing it out as a mistake and making the player feel uncomfortable.

I understand your feeling that some dealers made you feel unwelcome, as this is also in evidence where i work. I personally take the approach that if people enjoy themselves, win or lose, they will return, which is good for business, therefor good for me. Some dealers however are arrogant enough to think dealing to new players is beneath them. Others are frustrated by new players as they believe it makes their job more difficult as it slows the flow of the game, and frustrates other players. This can be true, but i see it as part of the job to make sure everyone feel welcome.

As for tipping, tipping of dealers in the uk is a fairly recent thing, so discreet signage is placed mentioning that tipping of gaming staff is now allowed. Tipping I believe as I have stated elswhere, should only be a reward for service above and beyond what you would expect. In gaming this can be slightly different, as some dealers can feel underappreciated should you get a big win and not tip, but I personally never expect a tip.

The best general advice i can give to new players, is talk to the dealers, most of which will be more than happy to help. However as we are still human we all have bad days, which can affect our work. Also on busy games, dealers will be under pressure from above to keep the game at pace. So if you are new to casinos, try and go at a quieter time, or to quieter tables and have a chat with the dealer. Some casinos also have brochures dotted around on everything from the gamesd themselves to problem gambling.

There are also excellent guides out there on the internet on everything from tipping to etiquette, so research can be easily done.

Good Luck and hope this helps.

Hi, Croupier, and thanks for the offer!

I've a question: is it bad manners to talk to or ask questions of a Blackjack dealer?

I know the player is supposed to signal rather than tell the dealer what he wants (hit me, stay, double, etc). So last time in Vegas I played switch blackjack at the Casino Royale. On my first pair of hands I could switch two cards to make a blackjack. Iasked the dealer if I could really switch. She looked annoyed and just showed me the switch sign. I switched.

As a former dealer myself I can tell you it is absolutely okay to ask questions. Often times dealers won't give unsolicited advice because if the player takes it and loses they may blame the dealer. They are often just waiting for you to ask so they can tell you. A dealer isn't going to tell you about tipping (unless you ask) because it would be like soliciting tips. This is not allowed.

Dealers aren't allowed to play your hand for you, but at the casino I work at you could ask the dealer on every hand what you should do and they will tell you. Now bear in mind that although dealers deal a lot of blackjack and think they know how to play many of them don't know basic strategy.

Quote: marksolberg

Dealers aren't allowed to play your hand for you, but at the casino I work at you could ask the dealer on every hand what you should do and they will tell you. Now bear in mind that although dealers deal a lot of blackjack and think they know how to play many of them don't know basic strategy.

Presuming that the dealer is an expert is something a player has to beware. And some players are wary of asking a dealer because many players believe that the dealers are out to earn the casinos revenue and will purposefully give the wrong advice. My experiences are that most dealers are more interested in earning tips and having happy players, but that dealers typically don't know some basic strategy decisions but in general are really trying to help the player win so that they will be happy and tip.

My best advice is to learn basic strategy or bring the card with you and play the best game you can without help.

Quote: odiousgambit

Maybe somebody should be walking around handing out a brochure or something [g].

Walking around passing out brochures? Nah. That requires a dedicated staff person.

Here in NJ, (and presumably elsewhere) there are brochures available on display either at the Security window or the Casino Control Commission window. They usually also have them in the pits - just ask.

Bear in mind that these are the absolute basics of play, not strategy.

And to avoid the solicitation issue, none of them mention tips.

Sometimes a casino offers lessons, but they tend to be held in the pits where it's too noisy to hear well, and also just gloss over the absolute basics. Of course, you DO have the opportunity to ask questions....

I know craps fairly well, but stood in a craps lesson at Stratoshere a few years ago. Some of the info was completely worthless and over the heads of a beginner, while some of the stuff a beginner really needs to know wasn't covered at all. I got the distinct feeling that the type of info presented is what is presented at a dealer school. And appropriate for dealer school, but not for player lessons.

Quote: boymimbo

...some players are wary of asking a dealer because many players believe that the dealers are out to earn the casinos revenue and will purposefully give the wrong advice. My experiences are that most dealers are more interested in earning tips and having happy players, but that dealers typically don't know some basic strategy decisions but in general are really trying to help the player win so that they will be happy and tip.

Although you will find some grumpy staff, all the floor personel want winners, because winners are happy and helps them be happy and helps the day go faster.

Any advice they provide, while it 'may' be wrong, will be their best advice for a winning decision.

So, yeah, go ahead and ask. But once you get your information, you still need to provide the hand signals - that's what the overhead cameras look for.

Nareed - its is far from bad manners to talk to or ask questions of a dealer. Most dealers enjoy a bit of conversation as it helps to pass the day. the dealer in question was probably just having a bad day.

marksolberg and boymimbo are both spot on. I didnt know basic strategy until I made the effort to learn it. It is not a requirement of the job to know strategy. Although most players at the casino I work in think they know basic strategy and dont.

I never offer unsolicited advice, however I will offer subtle hints such as asking "are you sure" when players are making questionable decisions, and will explain when asked what i believe to be the correct play.

Hand signals are generally used to help settle disputes, but in our casino we also have table microphones and verbal answers are final. In other casinos Hand signals are generally difinitve, and if players use hand signals they are what i deal to.

It was a long time ago for me but I too did not know that tipping was expected, indeed I did not think it was permitted at all since I had heard that dealers uniforms lacked pockets just so they would not be able to sneak chips into them.

Lessons? In the old days the school was a separate classroom away from the din and distractions of a casino floor, the lecturer was a dedicated instructor, not merely a dealer on rotation, and the material was covered albeit in an entertaining and a bit shallow manner. You received a "diploma" and some special chips that indicated your newbie status to the dealers in the casino who would know that having been graduated from the school you now thought you knew all there was to know about the game.

I know one young couple that steadfastly refused the cocktails because they didn't know they were free. Ignorance can really hurt in a casino.

I'd like to know why some craps dealers are very prompt to give advice to a player and others will let a guy go through a grand or so and then give advice when he is coloring up and leaving. Is there any casino policy about saying something such as "it looks like things are better on the Pass Line today"?

If someone walks up and tries to buy in for 300.00 and a dealer says "we are all out of chips" is such senseless and annoying banter really encouraged or are these just annoying dealers? I mean 9:00pm jokes might be okay but at 9:00am, I'm not in the mood for jokes.

As I dont deal craps myself, and the game of craps is very rarely seen in the UK, it is not my area of expertise.

However, in general where I work, unsolicited advice is not encouraged by management, and can often annoy the players. I however try dropping a few subtle hints if i believe it could help the player.

As to the banter, maybe the dealer is just trying to be funny and isnt very inventive, or is just on autopilot. We are encouraged to interact fully with players, and any Dealer with any kind of customer service skills will be able to tail the banter to the players after a few minutes.

Thanks for the replies.

I don't ask dealers what to do, because then they'd be playing the game. What's the point of that, right? But I figured I can ask about a rule I'm not sure of.

To be sure I've played as long as a couple of hours of BJ without exchanging a word with the dealer, beyond a greeting when I seat down and a "good night" when I get up. It's a very quiet game.

Quote: DJTeddyBear

Although you will find some grumpy staff, all the floor personel want winners, because winners are happy and helps them be happy and helps the day go faster.

Any advice they provide, while it 'may' be wrong, will be their best advice for a winning decision.

Have no doubts about that. I restrain from giving advice, because I can't help myself and I'll start reciting from basic strategy, but still, once in a while, a player really, really, really wants my opinion if they should hit that 15 against a 10. When I tell them "I'd hit it, but it's your money" (always the diplomat), they look at me as if I'm an alien ("but then I'll bust"). Sigh.
But yes, nothing is better than a table full of winners. They're on their best moods, they don't bother me, I can chitchat at will and the tokes will be flying through the table. Bliss.

Quote: Croupier

Hand signals are generally used to help settle disputes, but in our casino we also have table microphones and verbal answers are final.

Wow, table microphones seem sweet, could save a lot of trouble. Then again, at my casino even the CCTV is down.

Oh, and I love the idea for this thread. I too am a dealer, if you couldn't tell before (and I, too, work in Europe - Portugal, to be more precise), so I might be popping up in here to give my unsolicited opinion :)

By the way, Croupier, is it true that tipping is forbidden in England? And if so, why would you want to become a dealer?

yeah, tipping was banned until about a year ago. I became a dealer as I have always had an interest in Gambling and its a lot cheaper to be on the house side.

Also, I plan on moving to Vegas at some time in the future, so its a useful fallback skill as good dealers can always find work. That applies worldwide.

Quote: Croupier

Also, I plan on moving to Vegas at some time in the future, so its a useful fallback skill as good dealers can always find work. That applies worldwide.

Feel free to write me when you get here. Perhaps I can be of help.

At the Star City casino in Sydney they can rewind and replay the surveillance tape from any table, and view it right there in the pit. I've seen them do it to resolve a dispute my brother in law raised.

Thanks for the offer. I will definately take you up on that when I eventually get to Vegas. The problems I'm facing at the moment is trying to find a way to emigrate. Its so difficult to get a visa to live in the US.

In our casino we have a laptop computer which has access to all the cameras so we can rewind and replay any disputed events and the player can view the event themselves. If theu are still not satisfied we have a room with a larger screen where the player can view it.

Quote: Croupier

Thanks for the offer. I will definately take you up on that when I eventually get to Vegas. The problems I'm facing at the moment is trying to find a way to emigrate. Its so difficult to get a visa to live in the US.

It's darned near impossible to get an employment Visa in the United States. The US would have to hire you on an H1-B which are very difficult to get and given the job market, you likely wouldn't get it. There is the family class immigration categories which of course you can't get unless you marry an American or have a direct relative with American citizenship. I am not sure if any American casino companies have ownership over any British casinos -- if they did, you could apply for a job at the British casino and then come over as an company transferree (L Class).

You might want to consider Canada -- plenty of Casinos, not anything like Vegas of course, but still a better option with British citizenship.

Hope this helps

Quote: Croupier

In our casino we have a laptop computer which has access to all the cameras so we can rewind and replay any disputed events and the player can view the event themselves. If theu are still not satisfied we have a room with a larger screen where the player can view it.

In Portugal, only the Comissγo de Jogos (Gaming Board) has access to the video images (they always have staff at each casino during operating hours). In case of a dispute, the pit boss will call the CCTV staff and deliberate according to what they tell him. The player can complain to the Gaming Board but only if he gets really vocal will he be invited to review the footage. I've worked for two years with the eye on the sky and only three or four times have I seen players being invited to view the images for themselves.

I heard from a retired dealer that a good way to win at roulette was to place a bet for the dealer on 0 and 00, and then place your own bets there as well as on the 3 numbers to the left and right of 0 and 00. The dealer can't control exactly where the ball will stop, but can throw it in such a way as to possibly get close to the area where you bet.

Is this cheating? Is it true? Should I bother?

I do not believe that a dealer can control where the ball lands, especially if they are following proper procedure. I do know many dealers who believe they can control it. I've challenged them to simply make the ball land on one half of the wheel a statistically significant number of times. Of course we'd have to have a friendly wager on it.

Quote: Croupier

Thanks for the offer. I will definately take you up on that when I eventually get to Vegas. The problems I'm facing at the moment is trying to find a way to emigrate. Its so difficult to get a visa to live in the US.

You're welcome. Sorry but I can't offer any advice on immigration. I know from lots of stories it is hard.

About roulette, I'm skeptical about dealers controling the spin. If they could, it would be so easy to make a fortune with an acomplice.

Wizard, I agree. I was very skeptical when she told me this.

As to controlling the spin, with enough practice some form of control is probably possible. However there are too many factors both deliberate(the metal hazzards on the wheel) and unintentional such as bounce that make any form of true control extremely improbable.

I have been dealing for 2 years. I can spin away from the area I am in, or keep a similar spin in the same area, however I cannot do this with enough consistency,

Quote: Croupier

As to controlling the spin, with enough practice some form of control is probably possible. However there are too many factors both deliberate(the metal hazzards on the wheel) and unintentional such as bounce that make any form of true control extremely improbable.

I have been dealing for 2 years. I can spin away from the area I am in, or keep a similar spin in the same area, however I cannot do this with enough consistency,

You wouldn't have to get it in the right half every time. As long as you could be right over 52.8% of the time a player knowing which half to bet on (covering the 19 numbers in that half) would have an advantage. What percentage do you think you could achieve?

Croupier vis a vis Dealer. What makes you one or the other?

sorry, should have been a new thread

Quote: odiousgambit

Croupier vis a vis Dealer. What makes you one or the other?

You mean, what word should one use? Croupier is a french word but it has been spread to non-French speaking countries. Most new players will call me a croupier, although the portuguese word is "pagador" (ie, "payer" - someone who pays winning bets. way to look on the brightside,huh?). Some costumers, usually younger, will call me a "dealer" - using the english word. That is probably picked up from the poker world, because, for some reason, portuguese poker players and media have taken a liking to the english term.
I believe I read somewhere that, in the english-speaking world, a croupier is specifically the guy who deals roulette, but I can't remember where I read it, so treat this as speculation.

As for controlling the spin, I have tried it. The only thing I ever tried was to make the ball land roughly on the same spot where it began. Although there was a time where I believed I could do this, I must say I once hit the same number four times in a row without even trying, so any claim of success from my part would be purely anecdotal. I must say I still try, though, for good players. Even if it won't help them, it will never be worse than pure randomness, right?

Quote: Dealer

I must say I once hit the same number four times in a row without even trying, so any claim of success from my part would be purely anecdotal.

When I did my Four Queens review I noticed the number 24 hit four times in a row. You can see a picture of the board in my review.

Agreed, if you were controlling the spin, but the player didn't notice, then the odds would be the same, as long as you randomized where to decide where to put the ball, or the player randomized what to bet on.

About croupier/dealer, in Vegas I hear "croupier" about roulette and craps dealers once in a blue moon, but never for other kinds of dealers. We Americans tend to avoid using foreign words, unless there is no good English equivalent. Maξtre d' for example.

I chose to call myself a croupier as it sounds far more swish and sophisticated than dealer.

As for the roulette, if its quiet on sunday i will try a little experiment, to see how consistant I can be. Will let you know the results.

Ok, so on Monday night, I get a regular at my table. I know this guy is not a particularly live one, but it's fun to deal to him, as he's always in a good mood, even when he feigns he's upset about losing. I decide to try and give him some money, as I know he likes to play zero and neighbors (we only have single-zero tables here). He plays for about 20 spins. In all of these, I try to control the ball. I manage to give him something in 13-15 of those, including two 12s (a number he is particularly fond of). After I spin blanks for two times in a row, he decides to stop and I know he leaves with two €1k plaques in his pocket (confirmed afterwards by the girl at the cage), a nice return for his initial €500 buy-in.

And now for the fun part: after he leaves, I'm left with just one costumer (apart from the low-stakes even money bettors), who likes to place his chips when the ball is spinning. This guy never even uttered a word while at my table, let alone tipping. I drop all my concerns about spin control and just throw the ball as fast as I can to give him time to wager all he wants. These were the numbers that hit: 12, 12, 12, 3.
The first costumer comes back from the cage, looks at the display and his jaw just drops. "Is that real?", he asks. "Well, yes, sir", after which he just shrugs.

This is worth what it is worth (20 spins is not really a valid sample size). As you might have suspected from my previous post, I am skeptical that I or any other dealer can really control the ball to an extent where betting in a series of numbers would become profitable in the long run. That said, I'll keep trying.

Quote: DealerJ

"Is that real?", he asks. "Well, yes, sir", after which he just shrugs.

Now if only you had replied "Yes, sir. I didn't notice you had left and so I kept giving you twelves."
Then the myth would have been re-inforced in their minds.

Quote: Croupier

I am a dealer in England. anyone wanting to ask anything about working in a casino, or anything at all, ask away, and ill be more than happy to help in any way I can.

I think the Wizards sites are fantastic, so this is my attempt to try and contribute to the further success of the site.

Hello Croupier, thanks for the offer which I will take you up on. I have been considering trying to become a dealer at a sort-of local "racino" here. I figure (and have been told) that after a few years of that I can go most anywhere. Any advice on a casino carer is appriciated. Some things I'd like to know:

1. How long did it take you to really get the hang/flow of the job? I've been dealing monte-carlo nights a year or so which equates to say 60 hours of "live" dealing, such as that is. Now, I definately felt better after doing it a few times and people even ask "are you a real dealer?" But I also know doing it for fun and under casino procedures is going to be different. So, how long would you say it took you to really get comfortable?

2. One reason I would like to get into the business is I love the casino atmosphere and the games. As I think you said, being a dealer is a cheaper way of doing that. But I don't want to turn cards for the next 25 years, either. What is your opinion on the career path a (college educated) dealer can take?

I have more but don't want to to take all of your time. Perhaps Wiz can add a forum on "casino career chat?"

1. How long did it take you to really get the hang/flow of the job? I've been dealing monte-carlo nights a year or so which equates to say 60 hours of "live" dealing, such as that is. Now, I definately felt better after doing it a few times and people even ask "are you a real dealer?" But I also know doing it for fun and under casino procedures is going to be different. So, how long would you say it took you to really get comfortable?

The company I work for in the UK provided the training for me, working 8 hours a day for 3 months on the training school. Most of this time was taken up with Roulette training, as it is the most difficult game to learn (craps excepted which we dont really have in the UK). We spent about a week learning Blackjack, and about an hour on 3 card poker. However it took around 6 months to a year before i felt truely comfortable on a live game. The casinos in the UK place a greater emphasis on hand/spins per hour, than on customer interaction, although this is changing. The most difficult part of dealing is keeping the concentration whilst interacting with players.

2. One reason I would like to get into the business is I love the casino atmosphere and the games. As I think you said, being a dealer is a cheaper way of doing that. But I don't want to turn cards for the next 25 years, either. What is your opinion on the career path a (college educated) dealer can take?

A manager at the casino I work in has a saying: "If youre good enough, youve been doing the job long enough". This applies here because casino's are nowhere near the size of those in the US, and promotion opportunities are limited, so you have to be really good to get anywhere.
I dont know how well this translates to the US as I dont really know the standard of dealers, or the career opportunities there are or even if you being college educated would make a difference. As you would have to pay for training It would be a tough decision for you to take to change to a career in the Gaming Industry, but I think it would be ultimately rewarding. However, to get to management level would be a long term thing and not likely to happen in less than 5-10 years given the experience I have from here.

Hope this has heled and Im more than happy to answer any more questions you have.

I just heard of a casino promo that uses 1 joker for every deck used in there BJ games when you get the Jocker you can use it as any value at any point in the hand ie Q Joker hit 7 call joker 4 to me this has to be an absolute loser for the house am I correct and how would you play againt this The casino is in OK and they do it only on weds I have a frind who works there and this is real

This would be one for the Wizard as to the exact maths. In my opinion you would probably have to declare the value you are assigning to the joker before you draw any further cards.

I imagine Most people would probably call the joker as an Ace for an instant blackjack, however the casino will probably pay this even money, if at all allowed. If not then most people would call it as a ten so gaining twenty. I dont know if one extra 10 per deck makes a massive difference to the house edge but I cant imagine it would.

Quote: tommybacc

I just heard of a casino promo that uses 1 joker for every deck used in there BJ games when you get the Jocker you can use it as any value at any point in the hand ie Q Joker hit 7 call joker 4 to me this has to be an absolute loser for the house am I correct and how would you play againt this The casino is in OK and they do it only on weds I have a frind who works there and this is real

If this rule is applied only to the player (ie the dealer must burn or treat as a fixed value) than this game would have a large player advantage. The player would always hit (or double if allowed) and get 21 if dealt a joker.

Even if both player and dealer can declare any value I think it still would have a significant player advantage. This is due to the larger set of options presented to the player - The dealer would not be able to hit any hard or soft total 17 or over and cannot double down. So a player dealt an ace would always get to 21 and always get double their money out.

A dealer would only usually get to 21, but not on hands such as joker-7 where the dealer must presumably declare it as an ace (or maybe a 10) and stand, holding a hand of 18 (or 17 if you cannot declare 11 points).

However I suspect there is more to this rule than has been posted.

You asked about the strategy, and it is easy: If dealt a joker, always double if allowed, otherwise hit.

I just recieved a little clarity on how the house deals this game 1 joker per deck used dd=2 6deck =6 ect when the all blackjack pays 3 to 2 you can double on any 2 surrender aval so heres how they do it when the player gets the joker they can declare its value at any point even after a third card draw so if player gets 7 joker and hits 10 the joker would then be declared a 4 =21 when the dealer gets the joker the rule changes for the dealer the dealer always uses the joker as a bust card and the table wins hard to belive but true players can bet 3 spots on a 6 spot layout so if you had 2 people on a 1000 max bet game on a 6 or 8 deck shoe and the dealer busts when he gets the Joker seems to me the house cant win

Wow, unless there are other rule changes like some of the strange blackjack variants out there, that game definitely would have a very large player advantage. As I said in my above post, with a joker the player should always double if allowed, otherwise hit to 21.

What are the table limits? And where is this game?

the promo runs on Weds at Downstream casino in Joplin Missouri it may have a short lifespan as the casino took a bath the first Weds

What are the maximum bets on roulette in the UK? I know there are a lot of casinos, but more or less.

It does vary greatly. In London in the bigger clubs you might have up to £1000 on the number, and £10,000- £20,000 on the dozens/even chances.

in the casino I work in the maximum on a number is £200 on a split £400, and so on, with £2000 max on even chances and £1000 on columns/dozens.

Quote: Croupier

I am a dealer in England. anyone wanting to ask anything about working in a casino, or anything at all, ask away, and ill be more than happy to help in any way I can.

Well, the time is coming here in PA. Local casino is holding dealer-school "interviews." I have to arrange time off work and see if their school time fits my time so I can work while I am in "school." But since I truly feel we regret what we don't do more than what we have done, I am going to at least explore doing it.

Now that all of that is out of the way, here is my question to Croupier as well as anyone else here.

I am going to assume this is some kind of "audition" type interview even though few applicants know the procedures for security (show the pips, spread the chips, etc.) As I have discussed here I have dealt Monte Carlo Night BJ for 1.5 years or going on 100+ hours now. In this area I am very comfortable handling the shoe and paying out. Spend five minutes telling me the table rules and off I go. I try to give my players a "vegas experience" by spreading the chips for the (imaginary) camera to see so I am comfortable there.

Question are first, what else should I be doing/know to "get it right?" What is the right method to shuffle? How many riffs, etc. What do they look for in an audition? For Croupier and any other dealers out there, any favorite funny warm-up lines you use to players walking up?

And also, how do you handle the standing all day? (I might have asked that one before.)

AZ, whereabouts are you in PA?

Quote: cclub79

AZ, whereabouts are you in PA?

Pittsburgh.

Gotcha...I'm more in Central PA at present, and I have also seen the ads for the Community Colleges that will be offering classes. In fact, at the radio station where I work, Hollywood Casino has been advertising for a while and has now started recruitment commercials.

Quote: cclub79

Gotcha...I'm more in Central PA at present, and I have also seen the ads for the Community Colleges that will be offering classes. In fact, at the radio station where I work, Hollywood Casino has been advertising for a while and has now started recruitment commercials.

I don't know how training will work. In WV they use the community colleges. For a starter class the casino may run it.

And anyone else reading here advice still appriciated, original question a few posts up.

Quote: AZDuffman

Question are first, what else should I be doing/know to "get it right?" What is the right method to shuffle? How many riffs, etc. What do they look for in an audition? For Croupier and any other dealers out there, any favorite funny warm-up lines you use to players walking up?

And also, how do you handle the standing all day? (I might have asked that one before.)

The Company you end up working for will have their own shuffle, and there is not a set way of that I know of. For poker, we use chemmy, riffle x2, poker strip, riffle x2, cut. For blakjack we habe CSM's but the preload shuffle inlcludes chemmying for 5 mins, splitting the deks into 2 stacks, taking roughly half a deck from each stack, and riffling with half a deck from the opposing stack again into 2 fresh stacks. poker stripping the stacks alternately into 2 fresh stacks, then riffling together. having to write it down makes it seem more complicated than doing it.

As for "auditions" I dont know how hey work it. you should be prepared for some basic maths questions, but I think your personality is more important, and how you come across, as your experience will count for itself.

I personally dont have any particular warm up lines. I try and strike up a conversation with general courtesies, but some people are not in the mood to talk, so I try and establish that early. I do however have a couple of lines I like to use. when someone busts, or misses a number on roulette and curses at me or no one in particular, eg "F*** Off" I tend to reply with, "I wish I could but my shift isnt over until [insert time here]" or when someone is getting annoyed at me reaching constant totals of 20/21 and asks "Do you ever bust?" I normally reply "only when the pit boss isnt looking" or if asked "do you ever get anything except 21?" I deadpan "Yeah, sometimes I get Blackjack". Another favourite of mine is when I hit a total or BJ that wipes people out and get "Aw, are you joking" I have "No, because my jokes are funny" if people laugh you can carry on a tell a joke for effect, or launch straight into "No, but why did the chicken cross the road" or another joke.

My best advice would be to tailor your banter to the situation. Sometimes its best to keep your mouth shut. I tend to get away with a lot because I'm 6 foot tall, fat, and have a big grin on my face when I'm trying to be funny. I als otend to have a good feel for people and know who might take offence at my humour. Sometimes it backfires, and you need a thick skin for the job. I know i'm in a line of work where the all the bosses want is to take peoples money, i think, If you can take the players money, and leave them laughing and feeling they I had a good time, Ive done my job right by everyone.

As for the standing, you get used to it. There's no real help I can give with that. But be warned - It is worse on Blackjack than roulette. On BJ you are generally stood in the same position for your stint on the table. (where I work you can do anything from 1hr, 1 1/2 is the norm up to 3 hours (longest I've done) at least with roulette you can move around some.

Good luck with the interview. Hope it goes well.

Quote: Croupier

I'm in a line of work where the all the bosses want is to take peoples money.

Does that apply to the pit bosses as well? Or just upper management / bean counters?

The reason I ask is, since AZ has experience, I was going to suggest applying for a position of pit boss or something like that.

Quote: Croupier

If you can take the players money, and leave them laughing and feeling they I had a good time, Ive done my job right by everyone.

Sure, nobody is shocked when they walk away a looser, but give them a good time, and you've done your job. On a side note, go into any casino comedy show and there's bound to be a comment aimed at the front row that they must be the biggest losers to have scored front row seats. I.E. Leave them laughing.


AZ -

Standing? Go to a shoestore, a real shoestore, not the shoe rack at K-Mart, and get good, expensive shoes.

Quote: DJTeddyBear

The reason I ask is, since AZ has experience, I was going to suggest applying for a position of pit boss or something like that.

I would do that but they say right out they want one year working in a licensed place for that. My 100 or so hours will not cut that. (On the bright side, I just picked up two March gigs this morning. Not a bad way to earn enough for a few dinners.) My hopw would be they would see my management experience and I'd be able to move up based on a combination of that and performance. The mortgage industry doesn't seem to be getting better thus why I am looking.

Quote:

AZ -

Standing? Go to a shoestore, a real shoestore, not the shoe rack at K-Mart, and get good, expensive shoes.

That isn't bad advice. Any idea what those "custom" made shoes go for? Like where you put your foot in a mold and they make the shoe around it similar to a crown after a root canal?

Quote: AZDuffman

Any idea what those "custom" made shoes go for? Like where you put your foot in a mold and they make the shoe around it similar to a crown after a root canal?

Wow. That brings back memories.

I was about 8 when I went with my father one time to have his foot mold made.

My parents called them "Space shoes". I don't know if that was the style, company name, brand name, or what. They could have also been playing off the Space Race, since it was the 60's.

I have no idea if they were comfortable enough for standing long periods. My father didn't have a job that needed standing for long periods. He merely had f-ed up toes that went in different directions.

Quote: Croupier

I personally dont have any particular warm up lines. I try and strike up a conversation with general courtesies, but some people are not in the mood to talk, so I try and establish that early. I do however have a couple of lines I like to use. when someone busts, or misses a number on roulette and curses at me or no one in particular, eg "F*** Off" I tend to reply with, "I wish I could but my shift isnt over until [insert time here]" or when someone is getting annoyed at me reaching constant totals of 20/21 and asks "Do you ever bust?" I normally reply "only when the pit boss isnt looking" or if asked "do you ever get anything except 21?" I deadpan "Yeah, sometimes I get Blackjack". Another favourite of mine is when I hit a total or BJ that wipes people out and get "Aw, are you joking" I have "No, because my jokes are funny" if people laugh you can carry on a tell a joke for effect, or launch straight into "No, but why did the chicken cross the road" or another joke.

Hey Croupier--thanks for the ideas. I used some of the stuyff you siggested here yesterday and that along with my own answers has gotten me acceped into dealing school. (Game TBD)

I'll be blogging about "so you want to become a dealer" later, but if anyone is interested in the selection process please reply here and I'll be happy to share how it went, what they looked for, and the stupidest question that was asked.

Congratulations! glad everything went ok. I would be interested in finding out the way things work there.