The Good<\/h2>\n\n\n\n1. The Tips<\/h3>\n\n\n\n![\"Tips](\"https:\/\/www.casino.org\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/tips-1.jpg\")
<\/figure>\n\n\n\nIn the US, tips are where the real cash is made (in some other countries, dealers don\u2019t receive tips, but are compensated with a higher base salary), and that increases the total amount a dealer might make significantly.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
On an hourly basis, tips can help dealers bring in anywhere from a few extra dollars to $50 or more per hour, depending on how busy they are, what game they\u2019re dealing, and how generous the players are. The biggest tips come from dealing poker, but with all of the rules (which can also vary from house to house), players, and pots to keep track of, it is also the most challenging and skill-intensive game to deal.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
When you include tips (and any benefits the casino provides for its workers), the total amount a casino dealer can make varies tremendously. Many peg it at somewhere between $30,000 and $60,000 a year. Some dealers may make even more than that, pulling in as much as $100,000 or more (though new dealers should know that this is not typical).<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Keep in mind that some casinos also pool tips between dealers, meaning that no matter how much your players are rewarding you for your service, you\u2019ll be sharing that with your coworkers \u2013 so you\u2019d better hope they\u2019re doing a good job, too!<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Additionally, remember that the biggest whales are not always the biggest tippers; high-roller rooms everywhere are rife with tales of pro player cheapskates (this is typically, but not always, in poker) who throw tipping etiquette<\/a> out the window, tipping little or nothing after scooping massive pots.<\/p>\n\n\n\nOn the other hand, sometimes lower-limit games draw more relaxed, recreational players who tip better because they are just having fun and feel like it’s all found money anyway.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
2. The Training <\/h3>\n\n\n\n
There are some positives to becoming a dealer that you may not have considered as well. Typically, you won\u2019t have to have too much training to get into the field: a qualified dealer school may have you ready to handle at least some games (such as dealing blackjack<\/a>) in two months or less, and it may cost under $1,000 to get that training. Some casinos even offer in-house training, especially when they\u2019re first opening.<\/p>\n\n\n\nAs well as training, being a good casino dealer comes down to how you interact with the players.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
For the \u201caverage\u201d dealer, the amount of money you make will come down to how much the players like you. That means that more skilled dealers will make more in tips, but also that more personable dealers will do better.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
If you\u2019re not a \u201cpeople person,\u201d dealing definitely isn\u2019t the profession for you. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
3. The Flexibility<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
The scheduling of a casino can also be a positive for many workers. As most casinos are open 24 hours a day, 365 days a year, schedulers are often flexible for dealers who want to work odd hours or know they need certain times off in advance.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Of course, the scheduler can also be your worst enemy if they only assign you to slow times or they need you to work hours that aren\u2019t convenient for you or your family, or on major holidays when the casino must still be fully staffed for players.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
4. The Benefits<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
At casinos operated by major corporations, the benefits can also be a surprising plus. Many of these casinos offer retirement programs and health plans, as well as flexible time off that can make scheduling personal days and vacations even easier.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
You may even be able to transfer to another casino owned by the same operator if you\u2019d like to. You might expect that dealers at upscale Vegas properties would make more in tips than their counterparts at smaller regional casinos, but this isn\u2019t always the case. Sure, if you\u2019re dealing for high-rollers in the VIP room, you\u2019ll want to be at a big casino: those tips are going to be massive compared to the ones you\u2019d see on the regular floor, and those opportunities are only available at luxury resorts. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
Alternatively, you could work as a dealer on a cruise ship<\/a>, which can be perfect if you are willing or interested in traveling to new locations. <\/p>\n\n\n\n![\"Dealing](\"https:\/\/www.casino.org\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/blackjack-5012424_1280.jpg\")
Image: AidanHowe\/pixabay<\/em><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\nThe Not So Good<\/h2>\n\n\n\n1. The Salary<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
If you’re thinking about a career in casino dealing, the first thing you\u2019ll need to understand is that the base pay for dealing poker<\/a>, blackjack<\/a>, baccarat<\/a> or other casino games like roulette<\/a> \u2013 that is, the money the casino pays you directly \u2013 is pretty slim.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
<\/figure>\n\n\n\nIn the US, tips are where the real cash is made (in some other countries, dealers don\u2019t receive tips, but are compensated with a higher base salary), and that increases the total amount a dealer might make significantly.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
On an hourly basis, tips can help dealers bring in anywhere from a few extra dollars to $50 or more per hour, depending on how busy they are, what game they\u2019re dealing, and how generous the players are. The biggest tips come from dealing poker, but with all of the rules (which can also vary from house to house), players, and pots to keep track of, it is also the most challenging and skill-intensive game to deal.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
When you include tips (and any benefits the casino provides for its workers), the total amount a casino dealer can make varies tremendously. Many peg it at somewhere between $30,000 and $60,000 a year. Some dealers may make even more than that, pulling in as much as $100,000 or more (though new dealers should know that this is not typical).<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Keep in mind that some casinos also pool tips between dealers, meaning that no matter how much your players are rewarding you for your service, you\u2019ll be sharing that with your coworkers \u2013 so you\u2019d better hope they\u2019re doing a good job, too!<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Additionally, remember that the biggest whales are not always the biggest tippers; high-roller rooms everywhere are rife with tales of pro player cheapskates (this is typically, but not always, in poker) who throw tipping etiquette<\/a> out the window, tipping little or nothing after scooping massive pots.<\/p>\n\n\n\n On the other hand, sometimes lower-limit games draw more relaxed, recreational players who tip better because they are just having fun and feel like it’s all found money anyway.<\/p>\n\n\n\n There are some positives to becoming a dealer that you may not have considered as well. Typically, you won\u2019t have to have too much training to get into the field: a qualified dealer school may have you ready to handle at least some games (such as dealing blackjack<\/a>) in two months or less, and it may cost under $1,000 to get that training. Some casinos even offer in-house training, especially when they\u2019re first opening.<\/p>\n\n\n\n As well as training, being a good casino dealer comes down to how you interact with the players.<\/p>\n\n\n\n For the \u201caverage\u201d dealer, the amount of money you make will come down to how much the players like you. That means that more skilled dealers will make more in tips, but also that more personable dealers will do better.<\/p>\n\n\n\n If you\u2019re not a \u201cpeople person,\u201d dealing definitely isn\u2019t the profession for you. <\/p>\n\n\n\n The scheduling of a casino can also be a positive for many workers. As most casinos are open 24 hours a day, 365 days a year, schedulers are often flexible for dealers who want to work odd hours or know they need certain times off in advance.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Of course, the scheduler can also be your worst enemy if they only assign you to slow times or they need you to work hours that aren\u2019t convenient for you or your family, or on major holidays when the casino must still be fully staffed for players.<\/p>\n\n\n\n At casinos operated by major corporations, the benefits can also be a surprising plus. Many of these casinos offer retirement programs and health plans, as well as flexible time off that can make scheduling personal days and vacations even easier.<\/p>\n\n\n\n You may even be able to transfer to another casino owned by the same operator if you\u2019d like to. You might expect that dealers at upscale Vegas properties would make more in tips than their counterparts at smaller regional casinos, but this isn\u2019t always the case. Sure, if you\u2019re dealing for high-rollers in the VIP room, you\u2019ll want to be at a big casino: those tips are going to be massive compared to the ones you\u2019d see on the regular floor, and those opportunities are only available at luxury resorts. <\/p>\n\n\n\n Alternatively, you could work as a dealer on a cruise ship<\/a>, which can be perfect if you are willing or interested in traveling to new locations. <\/p>\n\n\n\n If you’re thinking about a career in casino dealing, the first thing you\u2019ll need to understand is that the base pay for dealing poker<\/a>, blackjack<\/a>, baccarat<\/a> or other casino games like roulette<\/a> \u2013 that is, the money the casino pays you directly \u2013 is pretty slim.<\/p>\n\n\n\n2. The Training <\/h3>\n\n\n\n
3. The Flexibility<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
4. The Benefits<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
The Not So Good<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
1. The Salary<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
![\"Surveillance](\"https:\/\/www.casino.org\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/surveillance.jpg\")
<\/figure>\n\n\n\n