How To Become A Professional Casino Dealer

Standing in the center of a crowded casino, effortlessly shuffling cards and calculating complex payouts, is a highly skilled profession.


If you have excellent manual dexterity and can handle high-pressure social situations, it can be an incredibly lucrative career path.

Attending Casino Dealing School

The journey begins by enrolling in a dedicated, state-licensed casino dealing academy or trade school.


A standard dealing course usually takes between four to eight weeks to complete, depending on the complexity of the game.

Some massive casino resorts offer free, in-house dealing schools, but you must pass an intense audition to be hired afterwardTuition for an independent dealing school can range from $500 to $2,000, depending on how many games you want to learnCraps is universally considered the hardest game to learn, but Craps dealers are always in high demand and make the best tips
Working Conditions and Earning Potential

Once hired, new dealers usually start on the 'graveyard shift' (2 AM to 10 AM) or are placed in the lowest-limit pit areas.


While the base salary is often just minimum wage, a good dealer at a busy, high-end casino can make $70,000 to $100,000 a year in tips.

Game MasteryTraining TimeTip Potential (Demand)Blackjack / Baccarat4 - 6 WeeksModerate (Very common skill)Craps10 - 14 WeeksExtremely High (Rare skill)

If you can master the cards and manage the crowds, the casino floor can become a highly profitable and exciting office.