dealer schools / getting a job as a dealer

Can anyone tell me which, if any, of the dealer schools in Vegas are legit? I am considering moving to Vegas and would like to get a job as a dealer. Do the casinos require that you first attend these schools? Any advice on getting a job as a dealer (or any other casino job) would be greatly appreciated!

There is (was) a newsletter called "The Dealers News" which had great information (and ads) for those in the casino dealing business. Unfortunately, it looks like their website is gone (it used to be at thedealersnews.com , but there's just a GoDaddy placeholder page there now).

If the newsletter is still published, I'd start by getting a copy of that and considering some of the schools that advertise in it. A phone number listed for the publication is 702.891.0029 -- I guess it wouldn't hurt to try calling it.

Good luck. Do they have any schools in your area? I would check them out first than start putting your resumes out in Vegas.
Most schools if recognized are good through out the US.

I am thinking of taking the classes this summer. Most are 8 weeks and only a few $$. Craps run a small bit more (time & money) but I would definitely add that.
I have a school less than 30 mins from me and plenty of casinos close enough for me to work at. I work for my family and am in a rut..

Historically, the Dealer's schools in Las Vegas would line you up for your first job after school. I don't know if they still do that. The job they line you up with is generally a very small slow casino where you can get some experience. I believe places like the Gold Spike and Plaza still get dealers out of school.

Once you have a few months experience you can start going on auditions at downtown casinos that are a step up (ie. Fremont, California, Main Street, etc) Expect to put in a couple of years before being able to get a job at a decent strip casino.

Don't mean to be Debbie Downer but good luck finding a dealing job out here in this economy with no experience. We have the highest rate of unemployment in the country.

There is also the "appearance" factor. A smoking hot woman has a much better chance of getting work as a BJ dealer in many places.

depends on what you are planning on dealing...

Poker dealers can be hired without going to school if you got the chops, and can run a game... Understand how to properly shuffle, arrange side pots, pull aside rake etc...

as mentioned before... goodluck finding a dealer job at the moment...

slapinfunk worked part time as a dealer here in SoCal, also went to a dealer school, and can offer some insights into this...

But I think it is curious that several dealers I know at major strip casinos, where they used to make $110k per year (when times were good), make considerably less now (lower tips) and some have second jobs even as teachers, real estate sales, accountants, retailing positions.

one more thing: while jobs for dealers are hard to get now, I know there are jobs available in gaming security/surveillance but this also requires some dealer experience or gaming security training. these are not glamor jobs and at most casinos you cant even be known to the regular casino staff and must keep a very low profile. A friend of mine was a BJ dealer for more than 30 years on the Strip and decided to "try" gaming security/surveillance and HATED the job and had to leave that company in order to get back into dealing.

I also was a poker dealer, floor person, supervisor, and room manager. Also taught dealing at a casino school part time. I am able to deal most "old" style games professionally. Was also "involved" with some private clubs and games for many years.

The money is actually better (in most places) because poker dealers are not splitting tips, keeping their own, although some places do "request (ie require if you want to work tomorrow)" you tip out to cashiers, brushes, and floor.

Poker is a much tougher game to learn, and deal competently. Much tougher. A dealer must be able to deal several games, quickly and easily find the winning hand or hands, keep count on the pot, handle chips and split pots, all in players, and more. Than they must have good card handling skills, and maintain an appropriate pace. And "people skills" the ability to control the players and keep the game moving and orderly. Plenty of rules and procedures to follow as well. Poker can be a daunting game to deal.

BJ dealing is so much simpler. Learn to count, shuffle, handle chips, follow procedures. In 2009, several downtown Vegas casinos had some beautiful BJ dealers. Some of these were "break in", where they actually learned and/or were learning ON THE JOB. An experienced dealer was by their side. The casino wanted "beauties" and found some to train "their" way. Mistakes were abundant, and I actually stayed at some of the tables because I could exploit a weakness or several. Eventually they will either become "competent" or be "gone". I was surprised that there were so many break in BJ dealers when there are/were so many experienced dealers in the job market and/or on casino dealer schools job placement lists. I'm pretty certain that these particular female dealers were hired because of their "assets". And they were on 6-5 minimum bet crap jack tables in the fetish or pleasure pits, etc.

Discrimination is hiring, but try to prove it, "fight it", and or capitalize on it. Not gonna happen.



:: shrug::

It is a rare trip to the El Cortez that you don't find at least one new blackjack dealer straight out of dealer school. What is amazing is that they are usully pretty bad, and mistake prone. As the EC is one of the break-in casinos, I'm left to wonder if these dealers really are the cream of their current class.