Casino Dealer

Casino Dealer

Roulette Wiz

14 Years Experience

Las Vegas, NV

Male, 37

I am a Blackjack and Roulette dealer in Las Vegas at a major Las Vegas Strip property. I have knowledge of all the table games. I have seen and done it all in over 8 years as a table games dealer here in Sin City. I love my job and industry. I wouldn't trade it for the world! Ask me anything and everything. My life is like a real-life Hangover experience. Well, okay it's not but it sounded good didn't it?

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60 Questions

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Last Answer on March 09, 2016

Best Rated

If a player is caught card counting, is he just forced to leave, or are there criminal charges? Is he forced to give back his winnings?

Asked by Jones over 12 years ago

He will be forced to leave the property. The winnings are his to keep. There are no criminal charges. There is no way to prove someone is counting cards, at least the smart ones never can get convicted of anything. Like I said, counting isn't illegal and the winnings are the players to keep.

I've been told again and again that a player should never leave a winning table, but that seems like silly superstitious stuff rather than any real math or science. Agree or disagree?

Asked by Mark over 12 years ago

It's silly and superstitous. However, a "winning table" is a vague definition. If a table has won 8-10 hands in a row I wouldn't leave on the win. But if the shoe is over, you're up and reached your goal, get out. Don't let the other players coax you into staying. Ultimately, it's your money and your decision on when to leave.

I've recently noticed that BJ dealers have gotten really aggressive in forcing you to color up when you get up to leave - I even had one pit boss tell me it was a casino rule when I refused, which I'm pretty sure is not true. Is this a new phenomenon, and what's the reason for it? (My friend says it's so they can report your exact wins and losses to the IRS.)

Asked by hassan15 over 12 years ago

As far as I know, it's definitely not a casino rule. In fact, we are encouraged to have our customers (players) NOT color up. The theory behind that being, if they walk away from my table with a bunch of $5 chips as opposed to a black ($100) chip, they will be more likely to stop at another table and play out the remaining lower denomination chips. What you are describing is a new phenomenon, and honestly I have yet to witness management ask me to aggressively color up. The IRS would have no knowledge of your wins/losses, unless they wanted to tap into your rewards card activity, which I believe they wouldn't have access to.

I've played blackjack casually (couple times a year) for a long time, and never once I have bought insurance. And I never really see anyone else do it either. Are there any no brainer scenarios where insurance is the right move?

Asked by maestro phil over 12 years ago

It's extremely ill-advised to purchase insurance, ever. The only scenario I can really see someone buying insurance and it making sense if you're betting like $5000 on a hand, you get a 20 (nothing lower) and I show an Ace. That way, worst case scenario is a push. Otherwise, never EVER purchase insurance. I have a rule as a dealer: If the casino offers it to you, it's a bad idea. That goes for free drinks, side bets, insurance, etc.

I've heard some people swear by double-exposure blackjack, saying they win 60-70% of the time. I assume they're FOS, but what do you think?

Asked by Gunnar5 over 12 years ago

I believe they are wrong. Any gimmick game designed by someone and approved to be in a major Strip casino is slanted so heavily in the favor of the casino that there is absolutely no way you will win 60-70% of the time. Of course, your friend is getting lucky but in the long run that will undoubtedly change.

Some people like to use those cards with the blackjack odds chart to help them make decisions. What's the deal with those?

Asked by ezmoney over 12 years ago

The help cards, which can and SHOULD be purchased at the casino gift shop for about $1.99 are an invaluable resource. Not only do I recommend them, I would recommend anyone playing the game have one at their disposal while playing. I've seen seasoned veterans with these in-hand. It tells you the "right" way to play the game. There are a couple iffy situations and the card will tell you the recommended play. Yes, great question and everyone should have one.

What's the longest span of time you've seen someone sit a blackjack table for? What about roulette?

Asked by Patrick S. over 12 years ago

I work 8 hour shifts, and I've had people stay at my table for the duration on many an occasion. I hear of people going on 16-24 hour benders. I am very social with my players and establish great rapport, so I tend to have longer stay time than other dealers. I'm not bragging but I tend to get more gratitude from people that I can chat with. I haven't ever gone home and come back the next day to see the same player at my table however. Sometimes I'll work a 3 day weekend, and have the same person or group there all three nights for the duration of my shift. If you're having fun and your dealer is fun and exciting with a hot table, why would you want to go elsewhere?