Question of the Day - 25 March 2017

[Editor's Note: This answer comes courtesy of Andrew Uyal (pronounced "yule"). Andy's a new name to QoDers who recently came to our attention. In the tradition of Max Rubin and a handful of pit bosses who were/are card counters and comp hustlers, Andy's a young boss at The Cromwell who became a blackjack expert and advantage player while he was a dealer in Mesquite. He's also the author of an upcoming book about his escapades, tentatively titled Blackjack Insiders. We're pleased to have Andy Uyal as a contributor to Question of the Day.]

You absolutely have a shot at getting a part-time dealing job. However, there may be more to it than some people think.

First, you'll need to learn how to deal. You'll want to find a dealing school that you like, and learn at least Blackjack. The more games you know, the better chance you have of finding a decent job. Learning Craps will give you a big leg up. There's always a place for a Craps dealer. These courses can cost anywhere from $200-$400 per game. Attending a reputable school is paramount to learning the technical skills needed to be a dealer.

My recommendation is Casino Gaming School, run by Nick Kallos. You can find more information at www.learntodeal.com. Kallos has been around for a long time and has a great reputation in the gaming community. Kallos will also help with job placement after completing your training. You'll have to audition for a casino manager or hiring manager on the games you know. Sometimes the auditions are on live games with real patrons, while other times it can be on a staged table with just the managers. He can help you get the audition but it will be up to you to perform well and land the job.

Casinos are always looking for part-time dealers. It's a high turnover job, so the openings are bountiful. If you put in the three weeks or so per game, you'll come out with a fun part-time job that'll keep you just occupied enough during retirement.

Really, it's the perfect job for part-time retirees, because when you clock out, that's it. Work doesn't come home with you. Put in your few days a week, then enjoy your retirement the rest of the time.

In some cases, depending on how well you do in dealer school, you might have to start at the lower end of the dealer totem pole -- the break-in joints, such as downtown and the older Station casinos. But if you're a star in school, you might go straight to the top: Cosmopolitan, Caesars, Planet Hollywood, et al.

I feel I must warn you to be prepared for some strange hours. In all likelihood, you'll start on swing shift, which runs 8 p.m. until 4 a.m., give or take an hour or two on either side.

That being said, the income compared to physical output is tough to beat. You'll be able to make an extra couple thousand a month for dealing card, dice, or wheel games a few days a week.