How to Become a Blackjack Dealer
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Blackjack is a card game that pits players against the dealer. The other players at the table have nothing to do with winning or losing and are not considered to be part of the hand. The game is played on a semicircular table that can be set for varying numbers of players, each with their own wager circle. Players can place their wagers by touching the chips in their wager circle. Their total bet, winnings and credits remaining can be viewed in the bottom section of the screen.
Each player starts with two cards face down and the dealer has one card up. Players may choose to split pairs of any numerical value, except for Aces, which must be re-split only once. When splitting, a player must make an equal bet for each additional hand. A player may also double down on any hand, except after splitting a pair of Aces. A double down only allows the player to receive one additional card and cannot be re-split. The player wins if their original hand has a value of 21 or higher.
When a player’s initial two cards have a combined value of 21, this is called a “natural” or “blackjack.” If the dealer has a natural, she immediately pays that player one and a half times their original bet. In addition, the dealer collects all of the players’ bets unless they have a blackjack too.
If the dealer has an ace up and a 10 in the hole, they will offer insurance to all players who have not already taken it. This bet is placed on the “insurance bar” above the players’ cards and pays out two to one if the dealer has a blackjack. If the dealer has a blackjack, they will sweep the player’s bet and pay off their insurance.
The house edge in blackjack is one of the lowest of all casino games and is determined by basic strategy. Using the correct strategy, a player will lose less than 1% of their bets on average. However, a player’s losses will increase when they are dealt poor cards.
To become a blackjack dealer, a person must pass a background check and complete training at the casino or gaming establishment they plan to work for. This training is typically a six week program that covers gambling rules and procedures as well as customer service skills.
The salary for blackjack dealers is below average and expected to decline slightly in the next decade. This is due to a number of factors including the increased popularity of online casinos and the decreased demand for live games in some regions of the country. However, this career still offers an opportunity for people interested in working in the casino industry. If you are an individual who enjoys being around people and is comfortable working varied hours, a career as a blackjack dealer might be for you. To learn more about becoming a blackjack dealer, you can contact a local training school or casino and ask to see their brochure.