The role of casino croupier is considered a glamorous and exciting sort of job. But what can you expect to do on a daily basis if you start working as a croupier, and how can you get started on doing this?
The Difference Between Working in Land-based Casinos or Online Casinos
The first important point to consider is that the casino industry has changed in recent years. Part of the reason for this is the emergence of live dealer games in online casinos, where players see the dealer and table streamed directly onto their computer screen or mobile device.
These sites offer a wide range of games, with a real money online casino usually including a blackjack lobby, as well as the likes of live roulette and baccarat. They also include games such as Monopoly Live and Gonzo’s Treasure Hunt, for which the croupiers need to learn the rules too.
These internet games are carried out in a stylish casino environment, but the croupier often works in a studio setting rather than an actual casino. With no players in the same room as them, it is a question of making sure that each movement is clearly seen on the screen, and that any explanations needed are given out at the right time.
The Role of a Casino Croupier
The general role of a croupier is to control the flow of the game while handling the bets that are made on it. If it is a card game, they will deal with the appropriate cards according to the rules of the specific game being played. With roulette, they will spin the wheel and release the ball.
Another task croupiers have is to make sure that any bets are made at the right time. With online games, this isn’t an issue, as the wagers are automatically accepted. In the same way, the croupier will pay out winning bets in land-based casinos, while this is done automatically on internet games.
The Skills Needed to Become a Croupier
It’s easy to see why math skills are important for anyone in this role. While the way that online casinos work has reduced the need for working out bets and winnings, it’s still a job where you need to be comfortable with numbers and understand the math behind gambling odds.
The move to online playing has also meant a greater focus on customer service and, in some cases, entertainment. Many games offer a fun, lively atmosphere where the human dealer is expected to keep players entertained while clearly explaining what is happening.
How to Get Started
Most croupiers get started by going on a training course that teaches them the skills needed for this role. In the case of American croupiers, they typically learn blackjack first due to the relative simplicity of the game and the fact that human error probably won’t cost the casino too much.
In Europe, new croupiers usually begin by learning to handle the roulette game. Either way, it is important to learn the rules of the most popular games and be able to show confidence and high levels of concentration.
If you like the sound of this role, it’s worth taking a look to see what local training courses are available so that you can make a start on learning the essential skills needed.