Focus on the gameĪs a (good) poker dealer, you should never lose focus. It’s okay to be friendlier with certain players, but when it gets to the point where it affects the game and potentially bothers the other players, then it shouldn’t be done.Įven though some players are really nice, and some seem to make the whole table miserable - a good dealer must be impartial, and act professionally at all times.

At least not in a casino.īasically, the dealer is the referee of the game and this means they must be impartial at all costs. It may be spontaneous for the dealer to say “nice hand” or tap the table when they win a big pot.īut they shouldn’t. Let’s say there is a regular at the table, or even a dealer’s friend.

This is a mistake I’ve seen many times, and it has nothing to do with technical skills. Check the pot is right in case a player isn’t sure.Tracking the pot is vital as it allows poker dealers to: But it takes time, so don’t be discouraged if you struggle at first (when I first started dealing, I definitely did struggle). Once you know how to do it, it’s relatively easy. If you’re dealing no-limit poker tournaments, then you don’t really need to remember how much is in the pot.īut in general, a good dealer will need to track the pot and know the exact amount. I’ve been dealing poker for a while - here’s what I’ve learned… How to be a good poker dealer 1. The right attitude helps you deal with the players, and show assertiveness when needed.

Technical skills and knowledge allow you to deal faster, and make the correct decisions when there is a mistake or anything that stops the game. It all comes down to technical skills, attitude, knowledge of the game, and psychology. A good poker dealer will be calm but confident, and know how to adapt to different tables. To be a good poker dealer, you need to have excellent knowledge of poker rules, and keep the game at a steady pace - the more hands per hour, the happier the players.

How to be a casino dealer