I have lots of experience gambling. I've played almost everything that the casino has to offer: baccarat, blackjack, roulette, NLHE, PLO, wheel of fortune, etc. I've played these games so much that I know the rules inside out and can calculate the payoffs in a roulette spin or the size of the pot in PLO faster than any of the dealers can. I'm very quick with numbers and counting out chips.

But a friend told me that if I'm going to apply for a job as a casino dealer, I shouldn't mention that I'm a gambler, because that will significantly hurt my chances. What do you think about this? Is there any way that I can let the casino know about the skills that I have that are relevant to being a casino dealer without framing myself as a degenerate?

Poker managers like dealers who can double as prop players. They could care less if you're any good at it. And they don't want to hear about your craps or keno or fantasy football prowess.

First, calculating pot while you're sitting watching a hand is not the same as doing it while you're running the game. It's a definite advantage to already know how to do it, just don't think you can hop right in and take over without training and practice.

I seem to recall Australia having only one casino per city for the most part. Will you be ok not being able to gamble again without leaving town?

Letting them know you're a degen is bad because they'll be reminded of the last gambling addict they just fired for breaking some rule or stealing to support their habit.

How about this for spin - focus on your interest in the games and rules rather than your need to gamble. You're drawn to the whole experience, the math, the rituals, the odds. You've played a little of everything and found yourself watching the dealers more than you were playing the game so you wanted to see if you can do it. Pretend you're more interested in learning than you are in showing them what you already know.

Don't mention how much YOU need the thrill of winning or losing. Talk about how you like seeing OTHERS feel that thrill.

Great post above to a very good question. If the 'one per city' rule is in effect then they probably already know who you are and your habits (and perhaps even your behavior).

Job interviews can be tricky, you don't want to ramble too much but you do want to address the questions they present. If you interrupt or 'easily' get off track to the question that may hurt you since they want people, especially in a casino, that will fall in line and follow the guidelines that are (obviously) working for them.

I've seen plenty of poker players/gamblers who went to work at the casinos. Most workers are allowed to play slots (and even poker) but aren't allowed in the pits. For the most part the last thing a Dealer wants to do is 'go to work' on their day off.

My intuition tells me to keep it simple and get into the Dealer class before you start to show your 'skills' too much. Don't 'tell' stories ... 'ask' questions about the games themselves. Don't bring up stuff like "Where do you keep all the money?" or "How do you know that a chip is missing?" You want it to sound more like a concern than an inquiry. GL

Yeah there's only one casino per city in Australia, by law. Also, dealers aren't allowed to gamble at all until they've left the job for 3 months. I'm fine with this though, since I don't have the bankroll to grind live poker anyway.

Almost everyone that I interview says they have played a lot and know the game very well. This is normal and the interviewer will not think of you as a degenerate unless you put that spin on it yourself. You should absolutely point out that you have a lot of experience playing and by nature you are very rules aware. Just use the fact that you've played a lot as a tool for how much you know about the games and how you can calculate payouts and whatnot very fast. Don't use the word gamble. I prefer someone that is a player over someone that is not if all other things are equal.


I would state the above and leave it at that, no need to go into more detail unless asked. Also, see reducto's post. Good stuff there.

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