Table games dealer

Q: How did you get this position?

A: I visited SkyCity Auckland as a customer and decided this was something I wanted to do, as I like working with people.

Q: Describe what you do:

A: My job involves dealing casino table games such as roulette, tracking payouts and ensuring that the rules and procedures are adhered to.

An important part of my job is making sure that my customers are having a great time.

I also spend time teaching new players how to play the games.

I enjoy chatting with people, making sure they are comfortable, and telling them about other facilities SkyCity has to offer, like its restaurants and theatre.

Q: What was it like the first time you ran a table?

A: I was really nervous. Dealing on the main floor is a completely different experience from training as it involves real customers. But the experience was great and I managed to relax very quickly.

You get a lot of help from your pit manager and training supervisor, as they realise that you are new and help you get through the shift in the early days. With practice it becomes much easier.

Q: What sort of training or experience do you need?

A: All the training is provided in-house. Taking place over six weeks in eight-hour-a-day sessions, the training covers everything from the rules and procedures for the games to customer service.

Q: Being a responsible host is also an important part of the job for us.

A: We're trained to look out for the 1 or 2 per cent of customers for whom problem gambling can become an issue.

Similarly, we're trained in the responsible service of alcohol and, as dealers, we keep an eye on our customers and would let them know they may not continue gaming if we considered that they had had excess alcohol.

Q: What skills and qualities do you need?

A: Good communication skills, a professional attitude and enjoying what you do.

Excellent grooming and presentation are also important, as you are effectively on show all the time. I think it is also good to be able to be yourself and let your own personality shine through.

There is a lot of opportunity to have fun on the job. At the same time, you need to be able to be serious and pull people up if a rule is not adhered to - to allow the game to flow smoothly and to remain in line with casino regulations.

You also have to have a good head for maths - especially with roulette, where you have to quickly and accurately add up figures - and to track the payouts, as people can place a certain number of different value gaming chips wherever they want to and you have to work it out from there.

Q: Best part of the job?

A: Interaction with customers and staff. The people who I work with are really excellent. Knowing that I do my job well gives me a sense of professional satisfaction.

There are also opportunities for me to move within the company, here in New Zealand and offshore, as SkyCity has properties throughout New Zealand and in Australia.

Q: How do you define success in this job?

A: Receiving positive feedback from customers.

Q: Most challenging part of the job?

A: SkyCity attracts a broad range of customers, both local and tourists. Overcoming language and cultural barriers can be challenging but adds to the diverse experiences within my job.

Q: Your career hopes for future?

A: I am very happy with what I am doing right now. I may want to learn another type of game in the future to broaden my skills.

My Job

Name: Joyce Easthope

Age: 39

Role: I am a table games dealer at SkyCity Auckland.

Working hours: I am on dayshifts and work five days a week usually from 12 noon to 8 pm. I generally arrive half an hour before my shift.

Average pay: About $15 an hour.

Tips from customers: Law in New Zealand prohibits casino staff from accepting tips and gifts.

Your qualifications: I completed tourism and travelling courses before joining SkyCity.

I found it difficult, however, to get a job within the travel industry without relevant experience.

The training you receive as a dealer provides you with skills that can be taken anywhere in the world.