How Much Do Poker Dealers Make

Have you wondered what a poker dealer‘s salary might be or how much money card dealers generally make? We’re here to answer all of your questions. Read ahead to get an idea of how much poker dealers make, their responsibilities, whether they get paid enough for the work they do, and some dealer advice. In the end, we’ll also look at a couple of FAQs. 

How Much Do Poker Dealers Make?

Is dealing poker a viable job with a salary high enough to support you? Let’s take a look. In general, a new poker dealer in the UK can start off by earning £12,000. With more experience, this amount can go up to £15,000. Since poker dealers fall under the service sector, they make the minimum wage according to UK law. 

In London, where the poker scene is bigger, and there is a larger amount of people interested in poker, a new dealer can start off by earning £17,000. With a few years of experience under their belt, they can easily start earning about £20,000.  

A big portion of a poker dealer’s money comes from their tips rather than their salary. A well-liked casino dealer can earn anywhere between £400 to £500 in tips every month. This can account for an extra 30% of their salary. 

Dealer Advice, Experience, Tips, and More

If you’re a casino dealer, specifically a poker dealer, or just someone who is interested in this job, here is some general advice on how you can earn the most in this profession. 

The first thing to keep in mind is that the more experience you have, the more money you’ll make. It doesn’t matter which games you’re dealing in at the casino since all card game dealers are given the same wages. What does make a difference is the number of hours you’re working. Usually, newer dealers work part-time before they move on to full-time work. 

The next thing you need to focus on is tips! How much card deals make can be drastically increased by tips they bring in. A casino with high-stakes games can earn a card dealer around £10 to £30 an hour. In general, skilled poker dealers tend to get the highest tips. In some places, however, tips are pooled and divided amongst all the deals equally. 

Over time, try to progress onto higher-stakes tables in order to earn more money in tips. Higher stakes games are played by high rollers that bet hundreds and thousands of pounds per game. For these players, a few hundred pounds tip is pocket change. 

Many dealers also prefer to deal at private home games as these games earn higher hourly wages, and the opportunity for tips is also higher. 

Poker Dealer’s Responsibilities – Are They Paid Enough?

As a poker dealer, you would have a number of responsibilities. A regular poker dealer or casino dealer overlooks different card games at a casino and ensures that the games are moving forward. As a part of this, the dealer is expected to shuffle the decks, deal out cards to the players, collect the hands that are folded, turn over community cards, announce bets, and monitor the pot, amongst other things. 

While the responsibilities seem daunting, there are a number of other perks to the job, such as flexible timings, mandatory breaks, and high tips. Because of these benefits, many people would suggest that poker dealers are paid enough for the work they do.  

Bottom Line

Overall, a poker dealer’s salary and earnings are pretty high and can get higher with experience and tips from the players. Right off the bat, you can expect to earn between £12,000 to £15,000. If you’re interested in becoming a dealer, try to work on building your experience, earning higher tips, and dealing higher stakes games. 

FAQ

1. How do I become a poker dealer in the UK?

There are no specific requirements needed to become a poker dealer. There are two paths you can take. The first is to apply to a casino for a position and complete their in-house training once you get shortlisted for the job. The second path would be to enrol in a croupier course and get training. These courses usually last about eight weeks and cost £3,000. 

2. What does a poker dealer need to know?

As we mentioned before, a poker dealer does not necessarily need training or certification. The main thing you need is excellent math skills that allow you to make quick calculations. Next, you would excel at the job if you have a good memory, good people skills, and a strong attention span.