Blackjack Dealer

Are you looking to become a successful blackjack dealer? Find out the normal blackjack dealer job requirements and what training you need to be a blackjack dealer in Las Vegas or your local casino.

Blackjack Dealer Job Requirements

Requirements for becoming a blackjack dealer can vary from one casino to another. Generally, most casinos will require their blackjack dealers to have attended casino school. Some casinos even have their own dealer schools. In order to become a blackjack dealer you will typically need to apply with the casino and then follow their application requirements. If you already employed by the casino in some capacity you may have a slight advantage over others who are interested in becoming dealers.
In some casinos, you will need to attend an in-house training session. This typically lasts about two weeks; however, once again this can vary from one casino to another. Depending on the casino at which you are applying you may also need to audition in order to become a dealer. This typically involves dealing at a live action game. If you pass the audition, then you will generally be hired as a dealer and then begin work as a blackjack dealer.

Blackjack Dealer Hours

The hours you will work as a blackjack dealer will also vary from one casino to another; however, it is not uncommon to work long hours. Some blackjack dealers will work ten hour days; working several days on and then having several days off. Many casinos also work what they call mandatory overtime. This means that if the casino is busy and they are short on dealers you must work overtime even if you had other plans. In the reverse of this, there may be times when the casino is not busy and you will be sent home early.

Become a Successful Blackjack Dealer

In order to be an effective and successful blackjack dealer it is best to have good people skills since you will be dealing with people throughout much of your shift. Dealers often find themselves dealing to the same people for hours at a time.
As a dealer you should also be able to count quickly. Math skills are imperative to being a good blackjack dealer. You must be able to handle money, count out chips and deal the game accurately according to house rules.
The amount of money a blackjack dealer can make can vary. In Nevada, where there are certainly a number of casinos, dealers earn the minimum wage. Dealers make their real money through tips. Obviously, tips can vary but it is not uncommonly for a good dealer in a good house to make at least $75,000 per year.
The actual amount of a tip can vary. Some players tip very well, some do not tip at all. The real money is in the average amount of tips that you receive. Many players will tip straight out; however, some players will give the dealer the choice of a straight up tip or the bet of their choice. Taking the bet gives the dealer to make far more than they would with a straight up tip; however, they also run the chance that they will receive nothing.

Blackjack Dealer Tells

In order to be a successful blackjack dealer, it is important to always be aware of any tells you may be giving out. Savvy players are well aware that they can be on the lookout for tells from the blackjack dealers in order to improve their advantage.
Every dealer tends to have his own tells; however, there are some tells that tend to be quite common among dealers. For example, if the dealer has a hole card then it is common for the dealer to accidentally reveal this. When a dealer has a stiff card he or she may lift the card slightly more than normal just to make sure that the card is not an Ace. Likewise, if the dealer has a paint card then he or she may need to take a quick look at the under card. If the under card is a paint, the dealer’s glance at the card will usually be briefer than it was a number card.