6 Things you should know about dealing at the World Series of Poker

Matt Goins

1. WE HAVE POKER FACES TOO. "There are auditions for World Series dealers, but most are chosen from a pool of A-rated candidates. To get that rating, you have to be able to deal all seven of the WSOP games. The rating also factors in how well you count chips, ensure that proper bets are made, settle disputes and command the table. Good dealers are like good refs: You hardly notice them."

2. IT'S BIG MONEY FOR EVERYONE … "Dealers get paid in half-hour increments called downs. For the $10,000 buy-in main event, which had 6,844 entrants this year, 1.8% of the pool is divided among 860 dealers. Few players tip much anymore. Online players and foreigners aren't used to tipping, and traveling the circuit is expensive."

3. … BUT THE TRIP AIN'T CHEAP. "I'm a local, but many dealers come from across the U.S.—or even other countries— and have to pay for lodging, gas and food. Some will share a rented home for six weeks, others choose to stay in motels."

4. DON'T CROSS US. "Dealers do root against players who have a reputation for treating us poorly, but more often we root for someone nice. Some big-name players don't treat us well, especially in high-limit cash games, but the WSOP has zero tolerance for abusive language. If it crosses the line, we call over a floor supervisor, and he or she either warns the player or has them sit out for a while."

5. AT LEAST THE LESSONS ARE FREE. "If you have memory, you can learn nuanced plays from the pros. I've gotten pretty good at putting people on hands. Several top pros were once dealers, including Mike Matusow, Layne Flack and Gavin Griffin, all of whom have won WSOP bracelets. Dealers aren't allowed to gamble at the Rio, but there's a $500 no-limit Hold 'em event for staff."

6. IT'S ALL SHOW BUSINESS. "Dealers shouldn't show emotion, but when someone is all-in and we're counting millions in chips, it gets the blood flowing. We wear a mike so TV producers can hear the bets and earpieces so they can talk to us. On a big hand, they sometimes tell us when to bring out the turn or the river. And while most dealers aren't concerned with appearance, some will wear a special ring or get a manicure."

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