Possible career change-Casino dealer...Need opinions

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FreeRyanFerguson.com
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Hey everyone- I'm just dreaming at this point, but I am looking for something different, as far as careers go. I work in insurance now, and I'm afraid I'll be in it until I retire, if I don't explore other options. Does anyone deal in a casino, or have you done it in the past? I love going to casinos, and feel like dealing blackjack and craps could be a fun job. I'm just looking for your opinions and advice. Thanks guys.
 

Cui servire est regnare
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My buddy was a manager at the Poker room and a dealer at Harrah's in East Chicago. He got pinched running a home game and thus was fired and banned from the property. His biggest grip were the hours and the fact that tokes were shared amoungst the room and not kept by the individual dealers.

I would advise to look into it if you have a tolorance for smoke, can work odd hours and can live on about 40,000 a year, maybe less to start.
 

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If you are talking Vegas... here is my take.

I feel it would be one of the toughest jobs in the world emotionally. Here are some reasons why...

Significant portion of dealers are/have been completely gambling or drug addicted. More so gambling.

You are always working around large numbers of players who have NO BUSINESS in a casino. The casino knows how to entice and hinder/cripple people financially. It is their business and they work hard every day to perfect it. ANYONE who disagrees with this is either very naive or very ignorant or both. This is a GUARANTEED FACT!

And... Your success or advancement will probably have very little to do with your ability or work accomplishments. THE ONLY thing that gets you places in VEGAS is JUICE. That is... anyplace worthwhile or anyplace you would ever want to be.
 

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Fish,

I figured I would catch some heavy SH!T for my post. You obviously know VEGAS.

Most importantly, you are not only in the know on the facts... but, you are very honest about some less than pretty or popular information.

You are the MAN, Fish!

[This message was edited by Packer on May 26, 2004 at 04:11 PM.]
 

FreeRyanFerguson.com
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I know that it would suck working in a dingy, low-paying smoky casino. And I know that getting a good gig in the industry would not be as glamorous as it seems. But every time I walk into MGM Grand or Paris, I think to myself, "there are worse things that one could do for a living." I know they make pretty good money at those joints, and they have good ventilation for the smoke. Last month, when I was there, I asked a craps dealer at the MGM Grand, and he said that it totally depends on your personality. You have to be social and enjoy being friendly. He said the tough part is that the job is basically "taking money from people who are under the influence of alcohol," in his words. I really am not making any plans at this point, but I consider it an option. I wonder how tough it is to get a good job, and how long you have to pay your dues at the bad casinos.
 

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I have not worked in Vegas, but know a whole lot of people...and I think your answer is...

If you don't "KNOW" the right person, you work in a smokey, shitty, hellhole until you do "KNOW" the right person. That is... If that "right person" does not favor someone else over you when a job opens.
 

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<BLOCKQUOTE class="ip-ubbcode-quote"><font size="-1">quote:</font><HR> But every time I walk into MGM Grand or Paris, I think to myself, "there are worse things that one could do for a living." <HR></BLOCKQUOTE>your not gonna get a job here till you have a few years experience under your belt walk into the El Cortez and think " WTF was I thinking " because this the type of place you will break in at
 

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.........and the worst part about all of this is that you will be living in Las Vegas.
 

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An important factor is whether you have to stand up all the time or not. Blackjack dealers for the most part have to stand while poker dealers get to sit. And in poker I think you keep your own tokes.

There are a lot of bad poker dealers in Vegas so if you're good, you'll get noticed quickly and may get promoted fast. The players have a big say in poker and quite often the dealers that deal the bigger games are the ones the players ask for.

If you work in California you can even avoid the smoke issue since I understand it's all no smoking over there.
 

FreeRyanFerguson.com
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<BLOCKQUOTE class="ip-ubbcode-quote"><font size="-1">quote:</font><HR>Originally posted by mvbski:
<BLOCKQUOTE class="ip-ubbcode-quote"><font size="-1">quote:</font><HR> But every time I walk into MGM Grand or Paris, I think to myself, "there are worse things that one could do for a living." <HR></BLOCKQUOTE>your not gonna get a job here till you have a few years experience under your belt walk into the El Cortez and think " WTF was I thinking " because this the type of place you will break in at<HR></BLOCKQUOTE>
Haven't been to the El Cortez, but I've been to Key Largo, and it sucks. I know you gotta pay your dues first. Do you work in a casino now?
 

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The EL CORTEZ makes the KEY LARGO look like the BELLAGIO.

Actually, the Key Largo is not a bad little joint........good machines, friendly BJ, and a nice bar with a LEROYS Sportsbook.
 

FreeRyanFerguson.com
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Where is El Cortez? I didn't mean that I didn't enjoy Key Largo, but it probably falls into the category of "hole in the wall." I didn't think much of the downtown casinos, but didn't spend much time there.
 

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<BLOCKQUOTE class="ip-ubbcode-quote"><font size="-1">quote:</font><HR>The EL CORTEZ makes the KEY LARGO look like the BELLAGIO.
<HR></BLOCKQUOTE> LMAO
applaudit.gif
 

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Illini- MVB and myself both worked in the Vegas casinos for years.......a large percentage in the race and sportsbook industry.

I think I can speak for MVB and myself on this and that is you may want to give it a shot for a couple years just to have some fun and possibly get a break and move up in the business.

But overall, all things considered, I think we would both recommend you pursue another passion.

Agree MVB?
 

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<BLOCKQUOTE class="ip-ubbcode-quote"><font size="-1">quote:</font><HR>Agree MVB? <HR></BLOCKQUOTE> speaking from 20 years experience in the gaming buisness I would have to say there are better lines of work to get into
1036316054.gif
 

FreeRyanFerguson.com
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Hey guys, I appreciate the feedback. I also really would like to talk to Green Doberman about this. I know he is in the industry right now.
 

Homie Don't Play That
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Too much effing smoke. If you are a smoker or already have cancer then its an allright job. If you do have cancer, another good job is selling food off a Roach Coach in the parking lot of a nuclear power plant. Customers might glow a bit, but its a good sight late at night.
 

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