Many roulette devotees find that, as their interest in the game deepens, they develop a natural interest in taking things further.
We aren’t talking about proposing marriage, or even ‘making it exclusive’ with only one casino game!
No, no, no…
… we’re talking about switching sides!
Some players find themselves interested not only in laying bets and mastering strategy but in becoming a croupier themselves.
After all, why not? Roulette dealers (also known as croupiers) get paid no matter where the ball falls, enjoy a stable and exciting work environment, and come with plenty of benefits that can outweigh the costs for many people.
If anything, the trend towards live dealers in online roulette has only created more opportunities.
So what does it take to become a real croupier? And what does the learning process look like?
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Training
Becoming a croupier requires licensing and training, especially if you want to work at the best casinos around.
Fortunately, many of those same casinos operate training programs for new dealers. They aren’t always easy to get into, and usually require both credit checks and criminal background checks. There are also some excellent private programs, but training at a casino offers two major benefits: paid training, and the strong possibility of immediate employment for successful trainees.
The lesson plan goes beyond the must-read books that players find beneficial. What’s on the curriculum?
Roulette Multiplication Table
One of the first topics covered in training is a timetable – one that goes way beyond what you learned in elementary school! These relate to the payout percentage for various bets and vary from 5 to 1 for a bet on six numbers at the same time up to 35 to 1 for a bet on a single number hit. In between, there is a payout of 8 to 1 for a bet on four numbers, 11 to 1 for three numbers and 17 to 1 for two numbers. Memorize all of the payouts so you know exactly what to do. So when you see 16 chips on a split you know immediately that the player is getting 272 chips as a payout, and when you see 14 chips on a straight-up you know immediately that the payout is 490 chips. This takes practice but will become second nature quicker than you think.
Picture Bets
Some roulette bets are seen quite often, and these are called “picture bets”. One example: a chip on a straight-up (35 pieces) plus two chips on the splits (2 x 17 pieces = 34 pieces), which would result in a payout of 69 chips if hit. In the training school, you will receive an overview of all the picture bets and you will be asked to learn them by heart.
Dealing with the Chips
You know the way an experienced handles chips with the command and dexterity of a master soldier cleaning his weapon?
It inspires confidence among the players and the fact that dealers can do it no accident.
In training, new croupiers learn to manage chips by feel, so that handling them becomes second nature. They’ll learn exactly when to split a stack of 20 chips by dividing the stack into four stacks of five chips each. They’ll also be taught how to do a “chip up,” collecting lost chips very quickly and sorting them into stacks of 20 depending on their color.
Key Croupier Characteristics
Even with all of this subject matter understood, there are some non-tangible traits that separate average croupiers from outstanding ones.
Beyond the nuts-and-bolts of training, new dealers should also focus on developing these characteristics:
Take Control, and Show Control
Players can be, by nature, a bit skittish at the tables. When a croupier appears cool and in control, though, everyone at the table naturally relaxes.
This is not to say that a croupier can never be nervous! But if nerves are present, it’s important not to show it…
… that’s how to keep control over your table!
Vigilance
No matter how obvious it may be to most that trying to cheat the casino is a terrible ideas, there may be some players who try it anyway.
That’s why it’s important to watch the table when the ball falls. Players will likely be watching the ball, but this is the time for croupiers to watch the players. This way, no late bets can sneak in.
This isn’t only to the casino’s benefit, or your own! Trying to create an illegitimate advantage is something that other players will notice, and will jealously point out.
Preventing cheating helps keep order and calm on the gaming floor, which is good news for everyone.
Take Your Time
For new croupiers, accuracy matters more than speed. While players think they want things to move along quickly, any mistake you make will be met with a giant uproar…
… especially if large bets are being placed!
Speed comes with experience, and is a nice addition to the gaming experience. But accuracy comes first.
Be Loud and Clear
It might not seem obvious, but croupiers are professional voice users! It’s important to speak loudly and clearly when announcing every operation and every bet. Why?
Everything that happens on the casino floor is filmed, and the sound is recorded. If you’re loud and clear enough for both the supervisor and microphone to pick up what you’re saying, you are always covered in the event of a dispute with a client.
This means that new croupiers, in addition to mastering the other sides of their job, need to learn to care of their voices as well.
Work with the Supervisor
One interesting element of the casino industry is that everyone who works on the gaming floor starts out as a dealer.
Not only does this mean that croupiers can move up to supervisors, pit bosses, and management. It also means that every supervisor has been in your shoes. As such, asking for help is a great idea – they likely have more experience than you do, and it’s their job to keep things running smoothly when complex situations arise.
The flip side of this? Never question your supervisor in front of players. It destroys their sense of calm, and things can get out of hand quickly.
See Players as Friends (but Not Close Friends!)
Make eye contact with the players and interact with them. Remember, it is a game and they are there to have fun. Be a friend – be happy when they win and sympathetic when they lose.
While it’s great to develop a relationship with the players, it’s best to only have this on a purely professional level. A bit of distance helps keep everything above board.