I've spent the last two weeks job hunting. I've seen more "Poker Dealers Wanted" openings listed in that time, than I've seen in the past five YEARS. I guess the displaced online players are storming the B&M rooms, and everyone is staffing up. Yeah, AC is hurting due to the new markets surrounding them, but I've seen job listings for PT dealers in CA, WA, NV, CO, KS, MN, IA, MO, LA, IL, IN, and of course PA and DE. Granted, most are looking for experienced dealers, but plenty of them say just passing an audition is fine (if they say they require dealers school, I'm sure they'd be fine if you told them your "dealer school" was private lessons from a friend who deals--that is, as long as you can ace the audition).
The only things I got from school were: shuffling lessons, pitching lessons, flop-spreading lessons, and practice in the box while keeping count of the pot. I already knew from playing how to read the hands and cut the chips. You might be able to get the first three from some dealers you know, but there's no substitute for the "time in the simulator", actually dealing a game to your fellow students. It gives you the confidence you need to audition. Without that confidence, you're a nervous wreck and cards are flying off the table in all directions and the manager is angry at you for wasting his time. Also, counting the pot while you're dealing is a lot tougher than counting the pot while you're playing, if you're not accustomed to either.
www.indeed.com has been invaluable to my job search.
Don't worry if it's only part-time, they'll have plenty of work for you, or else they wouldn't be hiring. Even if you're only scheduled 2-3 days per week, it's child's play to pick up an extra shift or two each week by posting a note in the break room that says, "Hey full timers, if you want a day off and need someone to cover a shift, call YTF at 555-5555."
I've been invited to two auditions next week, but they're 1500 miles apart and I had to choose one (I'm batting 1.000 lifetime in auditions, so I like my chances). Again, I think it's been YEARS since the job market for poker dealers has looked this good.
EDIT TO ADD: Oh yeah, you'll learn more from 2+2's Poker Dealer Handbook (available for sale somewhere on this site for about $20) than you'll learn from the best dealer school in the world. Did they ever get around to updating that book and mentioning NL in later editions?
Last edited by youtalkfunny; 05-14-2011 at 01:06 AM.