Hoping this is the best forum here to ask this.

I've been toying around with the idea of becoming a poker dealer (or trying to become one) for a while, and last week a family friend with pit boss experience recommended the job to me.

After looking around locally in Phoenix, it seems like there is some type of weird affiliate program in place. This family friend's only advice was to NOT attend "ABC" and called it a joke. Anybody know anything about this program or have a recommendation for something?

iDeal 21 has a slick site, while CDC does not. They all have the same business address (the last link has a different one on site, but gives the ABC address as their sister location).

Other than these I can't find any poker training/casino training in the area.

ABC's official site:

http://www.casinodealercollege.com/

Skins/Affiliates?

http://www.ideal21.com/
http://www.bartendingschoolofphoenix.com/

Also, any input on poker dealing as a job or career in the modern game " " would be interesting too.

FWIW - can run home/cash games relatively well, and could deal blackjack in a pinch. Probably need training to be casion-ready, but wouldn't consider myself an amateur dealer either.

Go to the casinos in which you would want to work. Ask the manager there what he recommends.

Also walk into the school you are thinking of attending. Walk around and take a look at what is going on ...... get a sense of how professional they are.

Doing this later tonight, and also dropping by the best casino around here to find out what the manager has to say.

Anything specific I should be looking for at this place besides the obvious (equipment/facilities/student teacher ratio/etc)?

There isn't a whole lot of public info I can find on these places...the reviews on Yelp are suspiciously positive, and the negative ones are hidden or removed.

I wouldn't recommend it as a career.

It was a dying industry until Chris Moneymaker discovered NLHE, then had a massive boom that lasted WAY longer than I ever expected...but that boom is over, and the player base is shrinking again.

It's been a long, long time since I've seen a rookie poker dealer "breaking in". Nobody hires a break-in dealer when there are so, so many experienced dealers out there looking for work. There are plenty of "circuit dealers" who are getting sick of travel and ready to pick a spot and settle down. There are plenty of displaced dealers from spots like Tunica and AC. I'd hate to be a break-in, trying to compete in such a job market.

Good luck.

If I recall from other threads, training isn't required and you're judged mostly by audition?

I would second Quadstriker's recommendation that you find out what you need before you shell out money for a program.

Well if you can go while class is in session look at how the class is being supervised. Hopefully the v instructor is attentive.

Of course ytf is court about their difficulties of getting Work.

Thanks...I should have noted that I have a full time, salaried position that I'm not planning on leaving. I make just in the six figure range and am totally comfortable.

That said, it's not that exciting and I figure dealing cards for 20-25 hours a week is a decent way to kill a bit of time and make cash-only income. I also figure that dealing poker will greatly improve my game, which could have an even larger benefit than I expect.

Maybe it makes more sense to try to crack in to the private functions, where your value (beyond dealer skills) is largely based on personality.

Dealing was fun for the 1st 3 months, after that it is a job. Stick to crushing your real life job and just play poker when you feel like a challenge. Find a better hobby too. I am sorry but casino/card rooms are pretty ****ing depressing places to spend your time in. They are fine in small doses.

Dealing will do nothing to improve your game.

I make almost six figures--I make five figures.

Yeah but he was only counting the ones left of the decimal point.

And dealing in any legitimate room in the US is not cash only income.

When I was 21 (now 26) I went to a card dealing school and received a certificate and worked as a dealer for four months. It was a great experience and I am so glad that I did it. But I am also glad that I found another profession and that I am still not doing it. But going to some type of school is always a good thing, when I went for my interview the hiring supervisor was impressed and hired me on the spot.

I'm going to guess a couple of things based on your posts.

1. You're fairly young because most adults with families don't have 25 hours per week to "kill."

2. You're making just over 6 figures, which means you don't have a customer service job and likely haven't had one where people skills mattered. It is a world of difference from dealing with people in a professional environment compared to dealing with drunks that see you as a card dispensing machine.

YTF and others have told you how hard it would be to get a job as a career. Even if a room liked you, they are going to want you on their terms. That means working any type of shift when they need you. As soon as you say, "hey I can only work these days and hours and when my real job needs me to travel, I need the time off" they're going to pick the person with experience that is saying, "I need any and all the hours you'll give me."

This is spot on. Casino dealing is not a good "side job" if you have any sort of demanding primary job. You rarely get to pick your shift and many places might ask you to work "on call." If you have a shift conflict, they likely won't feel the need to work with you because there are 1000 unemployed or underemployed dealers out there willing to work any shift available.

However, depending on where you live, you might enjoy getting involved with private event companies. I don't know where you live but here in LA there are tons of these companies and they are always in demand of dealers. You aren't going to make a ton of money, most pay between $15 and $20 per hour, but it can be fun and provide great experience. I have a full time casino job but I still work several private events per year because I enjoy them.

Hope I can give you some insight because I recently finished schooling at the ABC dealing school in Tempe and landed a job as as a dealer. I am guessing you live in the Phoenix area based on what you wrote

First, there is only one dealing school in the Phoenix area and that is ABC, the other one, ideal 21? I believe it was called, shut down at the beginning of the year. I recommend ABC school because they do a really good job setting you up to pass an audition at the local break-in casino. The three teachers all have years of experience as dealers, Kevin who trains both Poker and Table Games was a poker dealer at Talking Stick for about seven or so years until he was injured in a car accident. There is a gentleman named Jack who dealt poker for 25 years 12 of which at Casino Arizona until he retired recently and Daryl who dealt at Vee Quiva and was a dual rate at I believe Bucky's. They really hammer home the fundamentals especially in poker they spend about a week just going over the pitch which as most dealers will tell you is the most important and hardest thing to learn. Class sizes are pretty small usually about 2-3 for the Poker and 4-5 for blackjack and usually start once a month. It is a very relaxed environment and very casual the only complaint I had was that the instructors would pay attention to you more (border line hit on you) if you are an attractive female. As far as success, since March the school has had about 15 people get hired at Fort McDowell, 2 or 3 got hired at Cliff Castle up north and a couple I believe get hired at Bucky's in Prescott. The school really works with Fort McDowell as that is the break in casino and where you will start off if you start in the valley.

I would go ahead and stop by the school and take a look, it is located in the cornerstone center at Rural & University in the same center as the Tempe Imrpov. You will initially talk to the owner Cosmo who is, for a lack of a better term, a sterotypical New York jerk but he only owns the school and does not have anything to do with the classes.

I will send you a PM on more details about getting hired in the Phoenix area

Thanks man, I appreciate it.

To the other replies - I'm 30. Correct that I'm not married and also don't have kids, but incorrect with the idea that I don't have a client/customer facing job. With one exception I've always had positions where interacting with others is hugely important in the grand scheme of things.

Thanks to everyone who gave some input...think it's enough for me to consider this thread complete.

I guess my only question is ... why would you want to leave a 6 figure job to be a dealer?

I wish I still had my "almost 6 figure job" back! I got burned out and needed a change but as I'm getting older I may have regretted that change!

I wouldn't be, maybe I didn't clarify this well. I'd be looking to work as a dealer a few nights/shifts a week in addition to.

Its not a job for me, too much of sitting, too much of not being able to take a short break (even 20 seconds) I have to move, part of why I dont like tourneys so much yet either...

I'm sorry. Just re-read the other posts. You did clearly state you were not looking to leave your day job! I really need to learn how to read better!

In any event - good luck!

Hey - I can't PM you through the site...will you PM me or let me know how to get in touch with you?