There is only one sure way to play casino games without risking losing any money – and that requires changing sides and becoming a casino dealer, also known as the croupier. Figures on how much a casino dealer can make vary greatly, considering tips and company benefits and bonuses; however, according to Glassdoor, an average salary for this title is $41,104 per year in the United States, making it a viable employment position to pursue.
If you like that festive feeling and the lively atmosphere that surrounds casinos and gambling is one of your favorite forms of entertainment, you’ve probably already thought about becoming a croupier. Sure, online casinos, like the ones that can be found at a2zcasinos.org, provide more convenience to the players, but are they as exciting as the brick and mortar ones? Below, you will find a concise guide that covers all the essential information you need to know – from the necessary skills and qualifications to training and requirements you will have to fulfill. Let’s dive in!
Duties
A casino dealer is a person who works in a gambling establishment and whose duties include:
- accepting bets from players,
- shuffling the cards,
- distributing these cards to players,
- collecting bets from players by dealing out cards,
- verifying the accuracy of bets,
- composing and distributing wins to players
One of the most important things to know is that croupiers don’t actually play the game – they just keep track of the bets and hand out money if necessary. In a nutshell, a casino croupier is a neutral party that helps facilitate a casino game but does not have any direct involvement in the game itself.
Qualifications Required
While there are no official rules or regulations about what kind of education you must have before you can become a casino dealer – a highschool diploma might already be enough. However, some jurisdictions do require some knowledge of gaming math and customer service skills.
According to the Casino Institute, the casino requirements to be hired include:
- a High School Diploma or GED equivalent,
- an absence of any prior felonies or any misdemeanors related to theft,
- the ability to pass a pre-employment drug test,
- the ability to obtain and maintain a Gaming License, which requires fingerprinting and a background investigation,
- flexibility in scheduling to work nights, weekends, and holidays.
To become a casino dealer, you will also need to pass an exam on technical gaming skills (such as knowledge of the game rules and riffling cards), which usually takes place at the same time as the interview process. Other than that, some states do require some experience in dealing games such as blackjack or poker before you can become a certified dealer.
Ironically enough, many people decide to become casino dealers because they find it more interesting than playing the games themselves! Whatever your case may be, it is always best to check the qualifications required with your local jurisdiction before applying for any casino employment position.
Personal Skills
You should know that, as a casino dealer, you will have to pay attention to numerous things at once, as you will be expected to distribute cards to players as well as accept their bets at all times. This means that you will have to possess excellent math skills, good observation, memory skills, and the ability to multitask, which will help you keep track of every bet made by every player at all times.
In addition, you should also be able to communicate clearly and have a friendly manner, which will help you ease the tension of players who lose bets while making sure they have a good time while playing.
Aside from the required knowledge and specialized skills needed to become a casino dealer, such as card shuffling, other skills might come in handy during your employment. These include:
- Customer Service Skills. You will be working with people constantly, either directly or indirectly, so it is crucial to be able to address the players, especially in situations where customers do not have a positive experience.
- Casino Rules. You should also be familiar with all casino rules and regulations to make sure you, as well as the players, are following them at all times.
- Presentation Skills. You will often be called upon to explain the rules of the game to players.
- Communication Skills. You will need to be able to communicate clearly and calmly with customers, either when dealing out hands or accepting bets.
As you can see, most of the skills needed to become a casino dealer are related to customer service, which is crucial in this job. Therefore, if you plan on applying for this position, you should do so if you feel you possess these skills naturally.
Training and Certification
Many people who want to become casino dealers also seek professional certification to improve their chances of getting hired at a reputable establishment. There are many different certifications available for this purpose, which you can obtain by attending a special course and passing a test.
Some of the most well-known and reputable dealer schools include The Casino Institute, Casino Career Institute, and Casino Gaming School of Nevada. Once you obtain certification, you will be able to advertise yourself as a certified casino dealer, making you a more desirable employee to hire.
Before you can officially become a casino dealer, you must pass an interview or accept on-the-job training. Some casinos offer the latter option if you haven’t obtained a certificate at a dealer school. The interview will require you to pass an audition where you can demonstrate your technical skills. In contrast, the interview will test your memory, math skills, and ability to communicate with others and allow you to showcase your personality. These tests are a part of the selection procedure.
Final Thoughts
Becoming a casino dealer is an exciting career option that can help you gain valuable experience in the gaming industry. While there are no strict rules or regulations regarding education, most employers require their employees to have at least a high school diploma.
If you are interested in becoming a croupier, you might go through just five steps – determining qualifications required by your state, mastering your technical and communication skills, attending a dealer school or training to obtain certification, applying for the job, and passing the audition!
Regardless of whether you choose to pursue becoming a casino dealer to earn some extra cash or because you simply find this job more enjoyable than playing games yourself, you must know what you are getting into before you apply. We hope our guide was helpful, so good luck on your quest!