A Career as a Blackjack Dealer in a Casino
Blackjack dealers work in tourist destinations such as Las Vegas, Nevada, and in reservation casinos in states that recognize legalized gambling. Approximately 91,100 gaming dealers worked in the United States as of May 2008, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics. In addition to dealing blackjack, a dealer may specialize in another game, such as poker or craps, to diversify her potential earning and employment opportunities.
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Training and Licensing
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Blackjack dealers normally complete a dealer gaming program offered by a vocational school or attend on-the-job training offered by the casino they work in. Students learn the rules of blackjack along with any local or state regulations regarding gaming. A blackjack dealer must obtain a gaming license from the state he wants to work in and submit to a background check and drug test, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics.
Working Conditions
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A blackjack dealer spends his entire shift standing behind a blackjack table while he deals hands. Most casinos maintain 24-hour gaming services year-round, which means that a blackjack dealer may end up working nights, weekends or holidays. Hazards that blackjack dealers experience on the job include exposure to tobacco smoke and loud noises produced by automated gaming machines close to the blackjack tables. In addition to earning an hourly wage, a blackjack dealer depends on tips from patrons to supplement his income.
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Duties
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During the blackjack game, the dealer with initially deal one card to each player and will either withhold or deal additional cards depending on whether the player wishes to hit or stand. The closest hand to reach 21 without going over or losing to the dealer's hand wins. Blackjack dealers pay out winning bets and collect bets from players who had a losing hand. Blackjack dealers also interact with casino patrons by providing a hospitable atmosphere at the blackjack table.
Salary
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Casino gaming dealers had average annual earnings of $19,890 and an average hourly wage, including tips, of $9.56 as of May 2008, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics. Gaming dealers employed in Alaska, California, Kansas, Texas and Washington earned higher wages than the national average, with annual wages ranging from $23,710 to $31,580 and hourly wages including tips ranging from $11.40 to $15.18 as of May 2008. Casino gaming dealers employed in Nevada earned average annual earnings of $14,750 and average hourly wages of $7.09 including tips as of May 2008.
Career Outlook
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Job opportunities for casino gaming dealers will increase by approximately 19 percent from 2008 through 2018, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics. New casino construction will provide blackjack dealers with additional job opportunities. Blackjack dealers who have previous game dealing experience and gaming vocational training may find more job opportunities.
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References
- Photo Credit blackjack 1 image by dbvirago from Fotolia.com
