Gambling News: Go to college, learn to deal poker
I wonder if dealing poker would count as a lab class. Remember those in college? You had to take a certain number of credit hours as a “lab course” to graduate. They were usually courses like chemistry, physics and biology. But can you imagine what would happen if colleges actually offered “poker dealer” and “blackjack dealer” as a lab class. Considering the current economy, they might actually be the classes most likely to get students a job.
Colleges, particularly community colleges, in Pennsylvania where table games are now going to be added to the local casinos. The popularity of the dealer training is still a bit iffy and doesn’t really count toward a 4 year degree. So, drat, no taking poker dealing as a lab course. The cost of the training may be putting some job seekers off. Training classes are running near the thousand dollar mark in some cases and unfortunately those who need the new jobs are probably least likely to have the money. Jobs dealing in casinos have a fairly low base pay, but dealers can bring home a couple hundred bucks in tips each night. So for the right person, it could be the perfect job.
But the online courses have me baffled. Sure, you can play poker and blackjack online. I certainly do. And yep, you can take college courses online. But can someone really learn to be a poker dealer in a real world casino through an online class? Keep in mind that someone doesn’t just walk into a dealer position at a casino by flashing a training certificate. They have to audition. And that goes beyond just knowing the rules. They have to be able to handle the cards, count chips, handle chips, even handle disgruntled customers. An online class leaves a student without any real world help in handling chips and cards, something that could be practiced on other students in a classroom.
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