Free Blackjack / How to become a blackjack dealer
How to become a blackjack dealer
To become a blackjack dealer, learn the game at a dealer school or a casino's own training class, get a gaming license from your state, then pass an audition where you deal to a supervisor. Most dealers start on blackjack because it is the easiest table game to learn.
1. Learn to deal
Two common routes:
- Dealer school. Private schools in casino towns teach blackjack first, then other games. Blackjack alone usually takes a few weeks of classes.
- In-house training. Many casinos run their own dealer classes when they need staff, sometimes free or paid, with a job offer for those who pass.
Either way you practice the same things: pitching or shoe dealing, shuffling, paying bets fast and clearing your hands for the cameras. Our page on how to deal blackjack walks through a hand from the shuffle to the payout.
2. Get licensed
Casino dealers need a gaming license or work permit from the state gaming regulator, or from the tribal gaming commission at a tribal casino. Expect a background check, fingerprints and a fee. The rules and the minimum age differ by state: it is usually 21, and some tribal casinos and card rooms hire at 18.
3. Pass the audition
The casino sits you at a table with a floor supervisor playing. They watch for clean card handling, correct payouts and a steady pace. Most new dealers start on lower-limit tables or graveyard shifts.
The skills that matter
| Skill | What it looks like |
|---|---|
| Payout math | 3 to 2 in your head: a $25 blackjack pays $37.50, a $15 blackjack pays $22.50. |
| Chip handling | Cutting stacks of 5 and 20 by feel, paying and taking bets without counting out loud. |
| Game protection | Spotting late bets, pinched chips and marked cards. Showing your hands to the cameras. |
| Pace | About 60 to 80 hands an hour at a full table, more with fewer players. |
| People | Keeping a friendly table when the cards run cold. |
What dealers make
A low base wage plus tips, which are often pooled across the shift. The government's survey puts the typical dealer around $15 to $16 an hour, and busy casinos with big tips pay a lot more. More on dealer pay.
Practice first
Know the game cold before school. Play a few shoes here and watch the dealer: player, upcard, player, hole card, then the dealer hits to 17.
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Questions
How long does it take to become a blackjack dealer?
A few weeks of dealer school or in-house training for blackjack, plus the time to get your gaming license.
Do you need a license to deal blackjack?
Yes, at a casino. The state gaming regulator, or the tribal gaming commission at a tribal casino, issues a license or work permit after a background check.
How old do you have to be to deal blackjack?
Usually 21. Some tribal casinos and card rooms hire dealers at 18.
Is dealing blackjack hard?
It is the easiest table game to learn. The hard part is speed: paying 3 to 2 in your head and keeping 60 or more hands an hour moving.
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