Are there any people here who work in casinos? Bonus points for dealing poker...

Miscellaneous and Personal Stuff I Must Share
1

Due to a combination of an occupational dead end and getting fairly addicted to the recent poker trend, I have given serious thought about qutting my job and moving to an area that has casinos or card rooms. My targets would be Atlantic City (I have NYC roots), Los Angeles (eleventy billion poker rooms) or Los Angeles. I’m also close to Detroit which has a couple of casinos.

I have done the research. The job pays fairly well. I know that I can do it because I deal locally in house games and also for a company that does casino parties and the like. I realize that dealing in a casino is different but I have the basics of knowing the rules, knowing the math, plus I have a background in customer service/retail.

I know that the poker boom has meant there are a lot of jobs available. However, from what I gathered, it is difficult to get a job in this field unless you have casino experience. The old Catch 22.

There are dealing schools which are expensive and I would have to relocate just to attend one of those (the closest is Detroit; most are in Vegas or LA) but I heard that a lot of casinos are training within.

I am in that situation where I would probably relocate to a job I know is there but moving somewhere and NOT getting a job (relatively quickly as I don’t have a lot of savings) can’t work.

So I ask those who work in that industry: How can I break in?

2

I think that The Asbestos Mango works or worked in a casino dealing blackjack. Perhaps she’ll do you a favor and drop in.

3

I know a guy who works in a casino–not dealing, but just sitting around and playing cards with people. No prior experience, no dealing school, nothing. The casino pays him money to do this (in LA)–he’s not trying to cheat people out of their money, just make them feel welcome, as a fellow friendly player. Maybe you could break in by doing something like this initially?

4

They are called Prop Players. They are paid by the casino an hourly wage however they are gambling with their own money. Also, since Props are there to start up and fill out games, it means a lot of short-handed playing and having the bankroll and talent to play different games at different bankrolls. Many dealers will Prop on the side. I would love to Prop but it would be on the side of dealing if I had my druthers…