By Sadie Smith.

It’s safe to say that blackjack is one of the most popular casino games of today. For the game to go smoothly, there needs to be a dealer. Getting paid to deal cards seems like a great job, but what’s it really like? To answer this, let’s look at a day in the life of a blackjack dealer.

Workplace and Start of the Shift

A typical day for a blackjack dealer starts as soon as they arrive at the casino and before they begin dealing. The first thing they usually do is attend a briefing with their supervisor. That’s where they learn whether there’s something specific going on that day and receive updates on new promotions. After that, they’re assigned to their tables.

But there’s more to be done before they actually start dealing. This involves performing a standard check to see if everything is in place for running the game. This can be anything from checking whether the table is clean to arranging chips in stacks.

It’s also important to mention that not all blackjack dealers work in the same environments. The rapid growth of online casinos saw many of them work at casino tables in front of live cameras. If you look at some of the best Bitcoin betting sites, you’ll see that their tables look exactly the same as those in brick-and-mortar casinos.

Also, whether you’re playing in-person or in a real money online casino, the game looks the same and the dealer follows the same procedures.

Running the Game

Once everything is ready, the dealer starts running the game. If they’re taking over the shift from another dealer, they simply tap them on the shoulder and take over. On the other hand, if the table is starting fresh, the dealer briefly explains the rules and starts the first round.

During the course of their shift, the dealer deals hand after hand to ever-changing sets of players. It’s important that they stay focused, especially in high-stakes games.

The blackjack dealer is also responsible for managing the table’s dynamics and ensuring everyone has a good time. This often includes reading the players’ moods and adjusting their approach accordingly.

When running the game online, the blackjack dealer has to project their personality through the screen and connect with players without sitting across from them.

When you sit at a blackjack table, you’ll notice that the dealer smiles at all times and is polite no matter how other players are acting. Whether there’s friendly chatter between the dealer and players depends on the type of casino you’re in.

Contrary to what people often think, blackjack dealers usually want players to win. When they do so, they’re more likely to be in a better mood and tip the dealer.

While running the game, dealers may get occasional breaks, but this is usually up to the casino and its policies. When they do, they usually spend it in the staff lounge relaxing or chatting with their colleagues. Of course, the game doesn’t stop when they’re on a break and it’s usually another dealer who steps in.

As their shift comes to an end, the dealer gets ready to close the table. This is when they count the remaining chips and ensure everything is ready for their colleague who’ll be taking over.

Potential challenges

Like most other jobs, being a blackjack dealer comes with its own challenges. Things can always go wrong and it’s up to the dealer to handle the situation. Some of these challenging situations include:

• Handling disputes between players
• Dealing with intoxicated players
• Addressing cheating

Regardless of what the problem is, it’s important for the dealer to stay calm and handle the situation professionally.

Also, it’s not uncommon for players to blame their bad luck on the dealer. If they pin it on the dealer, they shouldn’t take it personally and continue to deal as usual. It’s important that they understand the frustration that comes with losing and respond appropriately

Dealing cards can also be tiring both mentally and physically, especially in brick-and-mortar casinos when there are people chattering and shouting.

It’s also common for blackjack dealers to stand through their entire shift with only a few short breaks.¹⁾EDITOR NOTE: For more information on this topic, check out the classic book Dealing Casino Blackjack by Thomas Hughes. In the photo above, you will notice that the dealer is seated.  In most casinos, the dealer will be standing.  The photo is from a charity casino night event.

IMAGE CREDIT: Wikimedia Commons

BLOG MENU