A poker dealer distributes cards to players and manages the action at a poker table.[1]
Professional dealers [ edit ]
Any casino π with a poker room must hire a staff of dealers. Casinos generally pay dealers minimum wage. However, a dealer's primary π source of income is not salary, but tips from players. Tip income may be substantial for dealers who can deal π hands quickly and efficiently. There are a few exceptions for taking tips. (e.g., in Sweden, where all the casinos are π owned by the state, dealers and other casino personnel may not accept tips from players. This rule is complied with π strictly.)
To become employable by a casino, applicants without prior experience are typically required to complete a 4 to 6 week π training program at a dealing school. Dealing in a casino may require working late hours and remaining seated for long π periods of time. Dealers also commonly work holidays, since these are especially busy days for casinos. Having to deal with π difficult individuals or abusive players may be another drawback to dealing at a casino.
Major poker tournaments also hire dealers. For π a given tournament stop, the tournament coordinator will hire dealers on contract for the duration of the tournament, which may π be a few days to a few weeks. Room and board may or may not be provided by the tournament π management; the dealer is typically responsible for their own travel expenses.