Being a blackjack dealer
If you’ve ever sat at a blackjack table and stared straight at a dealer, you may well have wondered what things were like on their side. On your side of the table, you know how to play the game, you know all of the rules and you’ve even mastered the etiquette but what’s it like being a dealer? They seem to work in some pretty glamorous locations so you may think the job is a great one, but not everything is quite as it seems.
Yes, there are some great aspects of the life of a blackjack dealer, but it’s certainly not all fun and games. We’re going to take a look at just what these casino workers take on as part of their working life.
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The reality of life as a blackjack dealer
Before we get into any detail, it’s worth exploring some basics first. The thing to realize from the start is that being a blackjack dealer is tough and dealers always find themselves in difficult positions. If you think that you have what it takes to be a dealer then the reality is that sometimes you’ll be loved and others, you’ll be loathed. It’s not a job for overly sensitive souls.
If you can get over that initial hurdle then you may want to know more about what being a blackjack dealer involves. Let’s take a look.
Blackjack dealer basics
Blackjack dealers need to be acquainted with the rules. As a player, you’re no doubt aware that the basic blackjack rules are incredibly simple. From your side, you’re trying to get closer to 21 than the dealer does all while avoiding going bust. When you look at other casino games, there is clear competition among players. With blackjack, everyone is just trying to beat the dealer. For a dealer to know how to win, they first need to understand the value of blackjack hands.
Cards from 2 to 10 are simple because they’re worth their face value. When it comes to picture cards, these are all given a value of 10. The ace is a little special as this can be used as a 1 or an 11 depending on what other cards you’re holding.
Beyond the basics
A blackjack dealer is there to win. They need to protect the house and ensure that the casino stays in business. However, they come at this from a different angle. As the dealer is the one that’s paying out on the bets, they go without several luxuries. They are unable to take insurance, they can’t double down, surrender or split.
This can make things a little limited for the dealer when it comes to the decisions that they’re free to make. Things become even more limited when you consider some of the other rules that come into play. Many casinos insist that a dealer has to hit if their hand is worth less than 17. Conversely, they may be told that they have to stand if their hand is worth any more than this. This really does tie the dealer’s hands as they are being told what they must do.
Life as a blackjack dealer
There are casinos where the dealers come and go, but in others, they seem to stay loyal and remain for years. Much of this is down to the individual casinos and how they treat their staff. Once a blackjack dealer has been working for a few years, you can be sure that they’ve picked up plenty of experience and that they know practically all that there is to know about the game.
A shift will typically start with a blackjack dealer putting all of their personal items into a locker. They go onto the casino floor wearing the appropriate uniform and must get through security before their shift can start. They will then be told by bosses just where they’re going to be working that night so they know which table to head to.
The start of the shift
The blackjack dealer will approach their table and then tap the current dealer on the shoulder. This tells the other dealer that their shift has come to an end and that the next one is now about to take over responsibility for the table.
Before the dealer can get their hands on any cards, they will clap their hands. This makes it clear that the hands are empty and that there’s nothing untoward going on. From this point onward the dealer is facing a shift that’s likely to last 12 – 16 hours. During this time, they will face a variety of gamblers. Some nice while others are not quite so. No matter what’s faced, the dealer must remain professional and keep their calm.
The work of a blackjack dealer is tough
When you consider how long a dealer’s shift is likely to last, it’s unsurprising that they have their share of aches and pains. The amount of time spent standing up means that the feet take the brunt of it all but the back can also start to get sore. Dealers will find themselves changing tables every couple of hours so this at least allows for some movement and, of course, there are breaks given throughout the course of a shift.
Is it worth being a blackjack dealer?
If you become a blackjack dealer, you’ll find yourself working in the hospitality industry. Like many jobs in this industry, the pay is far from being the best. The truth is that many of these workers will find themselves working long hours for minimum wage. However, there are ways that they can get a financial boost: tips.
Part of casino etiquette is tipping the dealer. When playing blackjack, if you go on and win, other players will expect to see you tipping the dealer. These tips can certainly add up. In some casinos, the individual dealer keeps them while in others, they’re shared out. Either way, as a result of these tips, blackjack dealers can find themselves earning $100k plus.
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