Tournament dealer procedures

[Nick C]

mooredog,

I agree and your reply was well written.

[Pambuzz44]

Requirements of a Professional Dealer
   
1.   Accuracy.  Getting the right cards to the right players at the right time smoothly and without exposing cards, turning board cards at the right time, keeping the bets and side pots straight, making change correctly, getting the correct rake unobtrusively, reading hands correctly, pushing up the board when the winner is found, pushing the pot to the player with the best hand, splitting pots correctly when necessary, and so forth. Remember to read all tabled hands, it is your job to find the winner even if the player does not see it.
2.   Mechanical Skills.  Technique!  The ability to shuffle and deal without exposing cards, handle chips, and the like. The shuffle procedure is shuffle-box-shuffle-shuffle, and remember to always clear your hands.
3.   Knowledge of the Games.  Knowing and understanding the rules of each game, how the game is dealt, and the house policies and procedures and executing.
4.   Ability to control the Game.  Being able to maintain the game pace.  That is, the ability to keep the game moving, prevent out-of –turn actions, avoid unnecessary delays, without rushing either yourself or the players.  Remember, always use an open hand—never point—at a player when it is their turn to act.
5.   Positive Attitude.  A manner of conveying professionalism that makes the experience of playing poker enjoyable and rewarding. Smile, be courteous but keep your personal lives to yourselves and do not ever discuss the hand in progress in any capacity other than announcing players, bets and etc.
6.   Professional Demeanor.  Proper posture and attitude communicate professionalism as does courtesy and kindness.
7.   Ability to deal with Customers.  Besides attitude and personality, this includes diplomacy, etiquette, and knowing when to call for the Supervisor.
8.   Appearance.  One's dress, grooming, and personal hygiene are essential to a professional demeanor.
9.   Reliability.  The ability to do your job properly and to be available and prepared when needed. When a supervisor asks you to do something, you do it, even if you don't understand the reasoning behind the request. We as supervisors strive to maintain a fair working environment for all staff and we expect compliance on every level.
10.   Restraint.  The ability to be quiet, keep your full attention focused on the game, and to decline to partake in any extraneous conversations not directly related to the hand in progress. Remain focused on the game your dealing, do not watch T.V. or socialize with other employees, don't watch the race, just keep your focus on your table and you will drastically minimize mistakes.

[Nick C]

Welcome Pam,

Very nice list for dealers to follow. I would like to mention a couple areas that might be acceptable, yet different from the way you do it. First; #2 the shuffle procedure in many casinos is riffle, riffle, strip (or box), riffle. Both ways are used. If you are working where they insist the "strip" follows the first riffle (as you stated) that's the way you do it.

You might also hear from those that don't agree the dealer should announce all bets, etc,. I agree with you, but others do not.

Finally. your #9 might be difficult for a good dealer to follow, when he or she knows the floor is wrong. Other than that, I would like to have my poker room filled with your dealers.

Good job!

[chet]

Nick:

I guess I must be having a contrary night.  I disagree with your statement on Rule #9.  A dealer, at the table, should NEVER get into a disagreement or discussion with the attending floor person about a rule or the interpretation thereof.  Making sure the floor has the correct facts, is OK, but the other is a good way to find you way to the unemployment line.  If a dealer disagrees with a floor decision, that discussion MUST take place away from the table, once that dealer has been relieved.  To do otherwise, would, in my opinion be disrespectful and that cannot be tolerated in front of the customers.

Chet

[Nick C]

Chet:

We don't agree much, do we? Unfortunately most of the time the floor isn't at the table when these situations occur. If I'm dealing, and the floor is about to make an obvious mistake, I might be a bit more persuasive or try to explain the situation better. I've worked in quite a few rooms where the dealers were more knowledgeable than the new floorperson, or the dual-rate that is splitting his time on the floor and dealing. Unfortunately, I've also worked rooms that had floorpersons that; 1) Never dealt poker & 2) Moved over from the pit!  Sorry, they didn't have a clue.

I wouldn't argue openly in front of the table. However, I would try to resolve the situation on my next break.

I've seen enough screw-ups on youtube by TD's and the floor in just about every major tournament that's out there. I've even made a couple bad calls myself back in the day

[K-Lo]

I find it slightly amusing that the two sentences that you (Nick) and Chet are focussing on in points #2 or #9 are basically two of only a handful of custom additions (the part about not watching the race etc in #10 was also added) that the poster has made to the published list of 10 "Characteristics of a Professional Dealer" from the Professional Poker Dealer's Handbook.   It appears that almost all of the remaining text is taken from the PPDH verbatim, in case anyone is looking for the reference.

[Nick C]

What the hell is that...the race? Are they talking about the Kentucky Derby ?

K-Lo if you're talking about the same Professional Poker Dealer's Handbook that I have, I can point out some serious flaws about pitching cards that needs to be addressed. One of the problems with these "lists" is (IMO), by what authority are the authors governed?  Who are "they" anyway?