Craps is a game with numerous bets available and can be intimidating for those hitting the table for the first time. Dealing the game also comes with quite a learning curve as potential casino workers learn the ins and outs of a game that is fast-paced, has some mathematical considerations, and involves thinking quickly on your feet to keep the action moving.
As one of the most difficult casino games to deal, those who can master the skill of dealing craps can be desirable employees in competitive markets.
So what does it take to deal craps and what are some of the skills necessary to pursue this as a job? Keep reading to answer some of these questions.
Going to School
One of the best ways to learn the game is to attend a dealing school. These training programs and trade schools are more prevalent in locations like Las Vegas and Atlantic City where there are numerous casinos. But the growth of the industry around the world means that these skills can often be carried over to work in other regions.
Schools vary by price, but taking a course on craps can be more costly than learning other popular games like blackjack and roulette. For example, the Casino Career Institute in Atlantic City charges $1,089 for a 96-hour course to train in craps dealing, almost twice the cost of other popular games and also twice the number of hours required.
That's because there is just so much to learn in comparison to other games. There are the more traditional bets to keep track of, such as the Pass Line and Come Bar, but dealers must also have a grasp on how to pay out the proposition bets and understand the jargon of the game as well.
New dealers must have a deep grasp of the game’s rules. Training academies offer plenty of practice dealing and making payouts to build speed and accuracy. Beyond simply learning the mechanics and payouts, trainees learn four differing dealing positions, including:
- On base dealers – Two of these are located at either end of the table facing the players and usually have chips in front of them for payouts. They manage the more popular bets like the Pass Line, Don’t Pass, Place Bets, Come/Don't Come, Field Bets, Craps Lay Bets, and others located on either end of the table.
- Stickman – This dealer is located in the middle of the table on the same side as the players and manages the proposition bets in the center of the table. The stickman uses a stick to position these wagers for players, hence the name.
- Boxman (or boxperson) – This dealer is on the opposite side of the stickman in the center of the table and is usually seated in front of stacks of chips. This casino employee manages the entire game – settling disputes and ensuring all players are paid out correctly.
Many dealer schools also feature job placement to help graduates find employment. In some locations where there aren’t as many casinos, there may not be dealing schools to serve potential casino employees. In these cases, a casino may offer their own training courses. Beyond being trained, new dealers usually need to be certified by a gaming commission in most jurisdictions.
Skill Sharpening
Looking to take a spot in the dice pit? There are some skills that definitely help in being a successful craps dealer. Some of those qualities include:
- Solid math skills – Calculating odds and payouts quickly is critical in this game.
- Great communication – Letting players know how to play and the payouts available is a big part of the job, while also keeping the action moving and communicating with other dealers and casinos personnel
- Patience and customer service – Staying calm and friendly in a pressure-filled environment can make you a better dealer – and bring in more tips.
- Adaptability – A dealer wears many hats and must be able to be friendly and helpful while also controlling game and paying out players.
- Physical stamina – Dealers may be standing for long periods of time and the job can be physically demanding. Having some stamina will make the job much easier.
Beyond all this, those manning the dice table must also work to keep the action entertaining. In a sense, dice dealing is part gambling and part public relations.
Those famous sayings like “Winner, winner, chicken dinner” add to the fun and spirit of the game. Successful dealers must also be friendly and knowledgeable – always ready to answer questions, help players with bets, and keep a smile on their faces, despite what can appear to be some seriously stressful situations at times.
“No other game tops the complexity of craps, that comes from the number of rules and the rich lingo players use,” Business Case Studies notes. “Add to that the fast playing pace, and you’ll get a game that’s nearly impossible to understand during the first few tries. Rolling 7s or 11s sounds easy, but things get more complicated once the dice hit the table’s edge.”
Dealers must not only understand how the game is played and craps strategy, but can oversee all aspects of play. No matter the frustrations, demands, or bad attitudes players must have, great dealers stay professional and work to make the game entertaining and inviting.
Cashing In – Craps Dealer Salaries
As with most dealing jobs, tips can be an important part of a dealer’s salary. Dealers with a good attitude tend to do better in this regard. Some bettors will even make wagers for the dealers, giving them a chance to win even more.
Among the top nine dealing jobs listed by ZipRecruiter, craps dealers ranked the highest in salary at an average of $40,500 to $47,000. The site reported that the average hourly pay for a craps dealer equated anywhere from $16 to almost $24. That rate may vary in other countries, but still may be among the higher rates in a casino.
However, tips can make this much higher and some dealers have reported earning an average of $200 per day in “tokes” (tips in casino jargon).
The property a player works at can see this salary increase as well. Most dealers usually start at lower-level properties, before moving on to higher-end casinos that may have higher limits and better locations. This gives dealers a chance to rack up even better pay and craps dealers tend to accrue more tips than other games in a casino, with the possible exception of blackjack.
Beyond simply the dice pit, successful dealers have a chance to move on to other in-demand positions with higher-paying salaries. Some of those include supervisors, table games managers, and more. Like any profession, those who excel and have a knack for leadership can rise up the ranks.
Casino dealers are certainly in demand as countries and jurisdictions continue legalizing gambling – from the U.S. to Europe to Asia and beyond. Job postings can easily be found online and on the websites of individual gaming companies. Some casinos even offer signing bonuses for new employees. Free training for prospective employees may also be available at some properties.
“Your salary is based on the number of games you know,” Bally’s Chicago Vice President of Community Engagement Monica Scott said recently at a job fair to fill dealer positions. “So here at Bally’s, we have the highest base rate in the area for dealers, so it’s a good profession, it’s a good opportunity.”
If this article interests you, keep reading. Alternatively, explore other topics like blackjack strategy.
