I was a dealer at the 2024 World Series of Poker. It was an adventure

The World Series of Poker is as much an exercise in logistics as it is a gambling convention. It takes standing up a temporary army of thousands to re-apportion the hundreds of millions of dollars on offer at the two-month, mini-marathon in the desert.

And for those on the ground putting the cards in the air, the time without a deck in your hands is often more challenging than actually doing the work. Because they don’t make pulling up stakes and moving to Las Vegas for two months that easy.

So as the lead college sports editor of a website while no college sports were happening, I went to Vegas to find out how it all works as a temporary dealer for Caesars Entertainment at the first full week of the 2024 World Series of Poker.

Wait, how are you qualified to do this?

My experience as a poker dealer consisted of exactly one three-week stretch 20 years ago. I had just finished college with a political science degree, and the first election campaign I worked on lost and I actively hated the job. Disappointing for a news junkie since birth that dreamed of becoming the bespoke child of James Carville and Mary Matalin.

Some friends that ran Tampa-area home poker games (games that paid as much of my tuition as my full-time on-campus job did) went to Tunica, Mississippi to deal the 2005 World Poker Open. I had never pitched a card before (or since), but tagged along as any recently unemployed person that likes free food and hotel housing would.

Fun story: On my third day employed in Mississippi, I pushed into a $4000-$8000 limit/$1000-$2000 no-limit mixed game with Phil Ivey, Gus Hansen, Bobby Baldwin, Todd Brunson, and Chau Giang. It was the height of the poker boom, and the industry needed every warm body available that knew what badacey was. It was a different time.

I don’t play a ton of poker anymore as I’ve shifted my +EV degeneracy towards sports betting. But I still love the game, and try to three-bet the nits light while piling it with the nuts on the recreationals whenever possible. I did stints as a full-time, low-limit cash game pro while between jobs more than once, but tournaments have never been my bag due to the huge variance, as well as being handcuffed to a table for an amount of time you don’t control.

There’s an old saying that a solid cash game player will be fine in tournaments, but a donkament specialist might struggle with the nuance often required when the decision tree expands “at depth.”

There’s another adage that poker is harder than ever. That tools such as solvers which tell you exact game-theory optimal decisions, and subscription-based training sites alongside YouTube have made everyone better at the game. That it’s tougher than ever to eke out a profit.

Dear reader: There’s still plenty of money to be made in poker tournaments, especially at the lower buy-ins. Because I saw so much unalloyed, unjustifiable, absurdly horrendous play at my no-limit hold ‘em tables, I was just sad to be dealing instead of on the other side of the felt.

How do you get the job?

Caesars has to find over 1,700 dealers willing to move to one of the most expensive areas of the country for just eight weeks, and places like Rockstar Dealing Academy are a big help in sourcing the staff.

Owner David Hall had worked as both a dealer and supervisor in Pennsylvania and West Virginia, but one day his entrepreneurial streak started from a conversation with a WSOP staffer who said how hard it was to find dealers as the game continued to grow.

“Let me train them,” Hall said. Now he has three locations in Florida, as well as the emerging poker markets of Arkansas, Indiana, and Texas. They sent 53 dealers to the WSOP this year, including yours truly, thanks to a connection from my friend Daniel, whose company name shows how much he loves poker.

Most Rockstar students pay $1,400 for a three-week class, or a six-week class that’s weekends only. “The best part-time job you can ever have,” says Hall. “You’re never going to be without a job somewhere. You can make $40-50 an hour. It can take three weeks to learn, and you’ll have something forever. You’ll have the free time to do what you want.”

A passed audition from Rockstar means you’re guaranteed a job at the World Series thanks to an agreement with Caesars, and I recalled enough from 20 years ago that I was cleared without issue. I jumped into the final two days of a Rockstar class making sure I was as good as I thought, but it really did feel like riding a bike. Hall is right when he says “you’ll always have the skill.”

But some of my Rockstar classmates, all mostly new to poker, were still struggling with intricacies such as splitting the pot correctly in a seven-card stud hi-lo game. Or how to read what’s the nuts in a 2-to-7 triple draw pot. Those with less experience in poker still have a place at the WSOP, as they can always deal tournament Texas hold ’em. Because besides being by acreage the most popular game in poker, it’s also by far the easiest to deal.

The WSOP is organized chaos, and sometimes it’s not organized

After receiving the email saying I was hired, two emails sent from me to the person coordinating the onboarding of new dealers at Caesars went unanswered. So did multiple phone messages left on what was supposed to be a dealer-only voicemail, asking things like if I can handle my gaming license-required fingerprinting while still in Tampa.

But I knew when the final WSOP orientation was, so I just showed up and hoped to figure it out from there. About 1,000 of my new co-workers had the same idea.

At the last four-hour orientation, topics like Know Your Customer financial regulations were covered even though I would never handle a single dollar in cash. But things such as “can I gamble at Caesars properties” (yes, but you can’t play WSOP bracelet events) or “are there any employee discounts?” were not. Our waiter at Caesars Palace’s Peter Luger said we got 20% off with my ID, and a cashier gave me 30% off at the WSOP merch store. I’m glad I asked!

We were told during orientation that tours of all the WSOP rooms and backstage areas would be offered that day, which matters as over 900 tables criss-cross six different rooms in two adjoining casinos (the Paris and the Horseshoe). HR folks said I could jump in a tour right after setting up my direct deposit, which became paperwork as I still couldn’t do that online.

But as I went to join a tour, I was told there weren’t any more available. That became a problem on my first Saturday, as I was last-second assigned to deal in a ballroom on the third floor of the Horseshoe I didn’t know existed. My Apple Watch said I speed-walked over half a mile to get there, and I almost missed my spot. I was sweating hard when I finally got to the empty table I was charged with setting up for play.

After orientation more emails and phone questions about things like having no badge to get into the building, no name tag, no access to the back-end HR website also were ignored. But the big one was having no idea what my schedule was or would be even after having been an employee on the ground for three days.

If it wasn’t for a Facebook group and a Discord channel specifically for WSOP dealers, I’d of been panicked about all this. I didn’t fly across the country to not actually do the job, but I was doing this for fun and to write a story.

Many traveling dealers leave their families, and count on the money they get for working. Every day they’re not “in the box” is one where they have to front the cash for their expenses, which are of course higher in Vegas than most cities. Their stress was tangible in those online forums, and for good reason.

I finally got my schedule via email on a Thursday evening, while playing in a $2-5 no limit game at the South Point. I was expected to report to work less than 15 hours later.

Things such as $59-a-night rooms at the Rio for WSOP dealers ended up selling out unexpectedly early, and I found that out while on my flight to Harry Reid Airport because Jesse from my Rockstar class texted me to let me know. I booked backup accommodations while in the air, so I was likely the only WSOP dealer staying in a 41st floor Cosmopolitan suite thanks to burning some comps from my March Madness trip.

The elevator rides while in full dealer uniform made for interesting conversation.

The calmest man in the chaos

For most of the year, Jimmy Tobiasz serves as the Specialty Games Manager for Caesars Palace, mostly working out of the sportsbook. But every summer he doubles as the dealer manager during the WSOP. He’s also one of the most popular people amongst the dealers and supervisors at the event, thanks to an unending reservoir of patience and affable energy.

When you give a staff of nearly 2,000 your cell phone number, all of whom need this day off or can’t deal that game or have no ride to work today, and still manage to get back to everyone, it’s a commitment that doesn’t go unnoticed.

“The vibe is really strong this year,” he said when I called him to chat just before the start of the $10,000 Main Event, about three weeks after I was no longer in his employ. “We’ve got plenty of dealers throughout the event, and most working just eight hours a day. It’s helped keep our people with good health, and for quality and efficient workshifts out of each employee.”

And while it’s good for health, it’s less so for paychecks. More than one dealer, all of whom didn’t want their names attached, told me they were getting far too many two-pushes (60 minutes on, 30 minutes off), or were being sent home early more than they would like.

But in defense of Caesars, it makes sense why this would be an issue. Tobiasz said of the over 1,700 hired, about 100 on their projected roster didn’t even show up. Just before the main event about 1,450 were remaining, with the most lost between Week 3 and 4. And because Caesars is just guesstimating on attendance of players, they’ve got to be ready when more show up than expected. It’s how I ended up in that third-floor ballroom.

But the dealers that survive the early weeks and stick it out do get plenty more opportunities as the Series continues, and people were being told to come in early if they’d like all of last weekend.

My new friend Julian, a fellow Floridian that now lives and works in NYC as an actor, had some poker experience from his time after graduating from that university in Gainesville which can’t block or tackle of late. He auditioned for the WSOP job via Zoom, and told me he’s now working seven days a week if he wishes.

And while this is his first WSOP, he’s now considering adding some income via working other tournaments on the travel circuit once this is over. For all the issues, dealing cards for a pay rate above the median American worker, when you can basically set your own schedule, is still a pretty good gig.

And if dealers keep returning year after year, Tobiasz can take credit for making the experience as positive as possible. I told him about the struggles I had one day from dealing a tournament at a cash game table because of lockboxes securing trays of cash chips. It sounds like a small thing, but that few inches of height made things much harder on my back while pitching the cards.

“Oh I already took care of that,” he told me, making sure those lockboxes were removed. And they’re already working on a new place for dealers to stay next year, so that everyone that would like a reasonably-priced hotel room can get one.

How much did you make?

All tournament dealers get Nevada’s minimum wage of $12 per hour when they clock in. But the real money comes from the half-hour “downs” they get when in the box at a table. The rate is $15 per half-hour for hold ‘em, and $20 per half-hour for any other form of poker.

Every 30 minutes a new dealer taps you on the shoulder, and you move to the next table. If there’s a plaque that says “break” on your new table, you deal your half-hour and then take the next 30 minutes off. Then you come back and push the next dealer, and do this until the end of your day or until you’re sent home.

A down doesn’t always mean actually dealing. The players are on a break in the tournament? You still get paid. Your table needs to be broken down after it’s consolidated as players are eliminated? Write your name and employee ID number for that half-hour on the downs card. At one point while waiting for late registrations in the $1000 Mystery Millions bounty event, I got paid for nearly three full downs before pitching a card. And then my table broke after only an hour, meaning I got paid again, but that’s a rarity.

But not getting paid for a down from 9:30 a.m. to 10 a.m. every day I worked, while having to sit and wait for players to come to my table before their tournament started, was not cool.

For me, dealing for an hour and then getting a half-hour break where I could check my phone and eat free food in the employee dining room was fine. But if you’re looking to bank maximum cash while working, those 30-minute breaks reduce your pay by more than half.

While everyone needs breaks because the work is hard, most dealers prefer at least three or four downs before a break whenever possible. On my second day, a supervisor came by as I was pitching cards and asked if I wanted to go home early. The hotel hot tub was too tempting, so I bounced.

On what was supposed to be my last day, the Thursday before a record-breaking weekend, the 9 a.m. group I had worked with all week simply had too many dealers. I got sent home after the one-hour morning meeting, with zero work for that day.

It was fine for me as I did laundry and played some profitable cash games at Resorts World instead. But for the dozens of others with whom I headed to the parking lot after making just $12 in pay minus taxes, it was a rough way to find out you’re not going to get the paycheck you expected.

And there are plenty of expenses beyond room and board.

All dealers have to pass the Nevada Gaming Commission’s criminal background check ($45 fee), get fingerprinted ($65.92 at Caesars orientation), and have black dress pants and black sneakers with no logos on them (I splurged on the kicks knowing how much walking I’d be doing).

I also paid $11.34 for an official WSOP belt bag/fanny pack (30% discount for Caesars employees) to put my stuff in while changing tables, as well as any tips if I dealt cash games instead of tournaments.

Because I was in a group that started at 9 a.m. every day, I didn’t deal anything but shove-fest tournament hold ‘em during my week. But I’m a poker dork, so I asked Jimmy if I could come back the following week and deal one day of non-hold ‘em... something. He obliged and I pushed into Day 1 of the $10,000 Big O World Championship six days later. Big O is pot-limit, five-card Omaha hi-lo, which for me was much more interesting and fun to deal.

I did 46 downs (38 hold ‘em, eight mixed games) across my six days of work and about 41 clocked-in hours. My two paychecks combined to total $1108.40. I could have stayed longer and found more hours if I chose, but there were certainly no guarantees I’d get lots of downs if I did. But if I stayed later in the WSOP, those numbers would have certainly increased.

Did you deal to any famous players?

Billy Baxter was the first arrival at my Friday opening table, and as is procedure, I asked him for his entry ticket and his ID. But I added “or I could just look up on the wall for your picture,” as the seven-time bracelet winner doesn’t look anywhere near his 85 years. He finished 14th in the $10K 2-to-7 lowball championship this year, one of the most prestigious events at the Series.

While dealing Big O I saw plenty of mixed-game specialists using strategies with which I wasn’t familiar as I’m no expert on the game. Trying to put players on hands as they made decisions was fun. I was about 95% sure David Benyamine had the nuts both ways in one spot, and when he got called light and rolled it over to scoop I was right. He later finished ninth in the tournament.

Other times Big O players would showdown hands that just left me going “huh?” Were they betting for value, bluffing, merging, or are they just really bad at this game? In hold ‘em I could have an informed opinion, but here I wasn’t sure if they were a fish or a genius. However the reactions of the other players at the table told me very clearly.

Erick Lindgren was watching the U.S. Open on his phone, and in the nine-seat right next to me, so I asked him how Ludvig Aberg (who I had bets on to win and Top 20) was doing.

But since I mostly had mass-field hold ‘em tournaments, I saw lots of mid-limit stars. Shoutout to “Bet On Drew” Gonzalez and Jesse Sylvia, who I saw entertaining their table mates and being very friendly during the big field events. Both were pros that handled themselves like pros at the table; engaging and having a good time. Not just wearing sunglasses and headphones, then tanking for two minutes before folding preflop.

Not all dealers are created equal

If you have most of your fingers and can count to 10, you’re likely to at least get a chance in the box from Caesars. But it doesn’t mean you’re going to make it to the end of the Series, or even the end of your first day for that matter.

The first tournament at the WSOP by tradition is the $500 casino employees event, which I was eligible to play for the first time thanks to my new gaming license. But the first two dealers at my opening table were so bad, the button didn’t even get around the table one time in a nine-handed game. Players had to tell both of them what to do in hold ‘em, by far the easiest game to run.

It was painful to watch these very nice people not be able to do basic things like shuffle, or even burn a card before putting out a flop. English wasn’t their first language, and they looked scared to death. Besides one player at my table, a dealer at another casino who was openly furious with the quality standards, the rest of my fellow “casino employees” were at least outwardly patient with the rookies.

But when a good dealer finally came to our table, we all let out a collective sigh of relief.

Bad dealers really matter in tournaments, because these are timed events. The less hands you play, the more luck determines a winner over skill. And the glacial pace led me to choose a high-variance strategy to acquire chips, so I check-shoved an above-average stack with a flopped gutshot straight-flush draw in a spot where I’d normally just call. Our villain was never folding his bottom two pair after calling a raise with 2-4 offsuit, I whiffed, then lost three additional coin-flips to get back to the Park MGM pool before sunset.

Lots of my 9 a.m. daily crew came from Asia, so much so that one morning we had a dealer supervisor that spoke Mandarin help read the roll call that gave dealers their first table number, which was a very nice touch. If you see a long string of Asian dealers in a row at the WSOP, it’s likely because all assignments are done in alphabetical order. And with tons of Wang’s, Yang’s, and Zhang’s, they’re often going to come one after the other.

Some very good dealers don’t enjoy dealing the weirdest games available, whereas I was sad I didn’t get a chance to pitch the $10,000 Dealers Choice event where each player gets to chose one of 22 games for six hands at a time. Having a front-row seat to watch those that are better than you play in games where you’re much less experienced? For me that’s poker dork heaven, but it’s clearly not for everyone.

Would you recommend dealing at the WSOP?

That depends. If you want to make pretty good money with very little commitment in what can be a fun environment with interesting people, for sure.

You’re a teacher and have summers off? Do it. You’re local to Las Vegas, and want to work two jobs for eight weeks to make a ton of money? Absolutely, especially because the overhead costs are much less for you.

“Are you coming into the industry to be a career? If the answer is yes, if you get WSOP on your resume, you can walk into any card room in the country,” Tobiasz said. “It opens up the door for anything. Nobody experiences the volume the WSOP experiences.”

And did I mention the free food? The hot menu rotates every eight days in the employee dining room, so if you didn’t like something today you’ll know when to bring a bag lunch the next week. But throw in the free beverages, sodas, coffee, and snacks, and it’s a pretty good setup. This is just from the temporary dealer break room if you don’t feel like walking all the way to the EDR!

Also there’s a full-size Mario Kart machine in the employee dining room you can play for free. It might have been my favorite perk.

The WSOP is Summer Camp for the dealers too

You don’t get involved in the gambling industry unless you enjoy a bit of the casino lifestyle. It’s a fun and relaxed environment where the adult beverages are frequent, and there’s plenty of camaraderie amongst the group if you want to hit a happy hour or a dinner somewhere.

If you’re trying to make a ton of money, you can put your head down and just grind. And some dealers even add shifts at other Strip casinos that are also running big poker events to make even more cash.

But be prepared to go with the flow, and certainly don’t show up with your last few dollars in Vegas. A few dealers didn’t have credit cards, and were forced to pay big cash deposits to their hotels or AirBnB’s, or find someone that did have some credit line available for them.

You’ll want to have enough cash to last at least a month after arrival, because all pay will be on a bi-weekly check that runs a week behind when you earned it (unless you deal the very few cash games on offer).

If you’re looking to do something fun and different that can double as the ultimate Las Vegas workcation, two months at the WSOP might be for you. Especially if you’re young enough to have life and job flexibility, as well as the body flexibility needed so the repetitive motions of the job don’t hurt as much.

As for me... while I did have fun, and would love to deal again when the games are interesting or the pay is really good, I’ll probably stay on the other side of the felt for now. My back isn’t getting any younger, and I made good use of the jacuzzis and spas of Vegas when I was done.

Plus if I’m going to be in a poker room, I’d rather be check-raising than checking my schedule.