Lillian was bugging me about getting a part time job or taking a class or something. She thought I might be happier in my "early retirement" if I was working toward something rather than just maintaining the house, cooking dinners for us and spending all my spare time playing golf and poker. The problem with early retirement is having been successful, potential employers assume they can't afford you. One needs to be willing to start over in a new field.
I thought it might be fun to try Poker Dealer School. Around here, Dealers work four days a week and often on swing shift (6 PM to 2 AM or so). This is a good fit for one who wants to have time to play golf when the sun is shining. I went through the Ivy League Dealer School in Tampa, however, rather than getting a job here, I found myself auditioning for the World Series of Poker at the Rio in Las Vegas! It seems that Tampa is the only place outside of Vegas where one can get hired for the Series.
WSOP is actually a series of over fifty Poker tournaments played over two months. To satisfy the recent demand, the Rio (owned by Harrah's) needs to temporarily hire 900 dealers. Seeing that there are not 900 out of work, experienced poker dealers available in Vegas, Harrah's gets a little creative and taps this school in Tampa for 30 or 40 of them.
From May 25 to July 17 I will be in Vegas, working swing at the Rio's convention center dealing both the tournaments and the cash/side games and living at a bed-n-breakfast just off the Strip.
My hobbies are Golf and Poker. Seeing that I am not good enough at either one to play them professionally, the best I can do is be a fan. A few years ago I had the opportunity to caddy at a PGA Tour event and more recently at Ladies' Futures Tour event. This dealer job will give me the opportunity to be at the tables and be part of the action while the best in the world battle it out for millions of dollars. I'll be able to have experienced my hobbies at the highest levels of play from inside the ropes. As a fan, it doesn't get much better than that.
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This is my blog, my web log, my journal. My plan is to share my experiences as a Poker Dealer at the World Series of Poker and the World Poker Tour.
About Me
- Buz
- Occupation: Semi-retired after 20+ years in telecom sales and management. . BS - Jacksonville Univ 1976 . MBA - U of Chicago 1998. . Hobbies: Golf and Poker . . Went to dealer school to find enjoyable part-time employment and fell into this World Series gig.
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3 comments:
I was reading your blog and its great. I am actually thinking about signing up for the IVy league dealer school in Tampa. Do you reccomend there class? Also how is employement. Is it hard to get in after graduating the class?
Thanks
When I spoke to the Poker Room Manager at the Hard Rock, he said that if you are going to Dealer School in the Tampa Bay area, Ivy League is the best. I have nothing to compare it to but I can say that I was well trained at Ivy League and well prepared to deal at the World Series.
As for employment, the more flexible you are as to location and venue, the better your chances will be.
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