Expanding my part time Poker Dealer career a little with this gig. I tried to get into the Chicago WSOP Circuit Event this year but the tournament director never answered my request. Interestingly, when he found himself short dealers in New Orleans he added me to the offer list. New Orleans is tough because the state of Louisiana makes it more difficult for out-of-state dealers to get the required gaming license. I suppose it is their attempt to keep as many jobs as possible for the locals. Hopefully, by helping out in New Orleans I will get an invitation to deal Chicago next year.
My little "Part time" retirement career would work out nice with 3 gigs a year: two months in Vegas mid-May to Mid July, two weeks in Chicago in October and two more in New Orleans in December. Of course, it probably will not work out that neatly in real life.
I think the scheduling is interesting because the Bayou Poker Challenge conflicts with the WSOP Regional Championship in Atlantic City this year. I suppose it means fewer big names will show up to terrorize the local players. The other scheduling challenge is the larger WSOP Regional Championship in New Orleans which is scheduled for May 2011 - butting right up next to the WSOP Vegas starting dates. The timing is not real good for that one. I would rather see it in the San Diego slot in March or Tunica's in February.
One step at a time. We'll see if we can make N.O. a success first.
I drove the 10 hours each way to complete the application process but to deal it may be better to fly. Parking anywhere near the casino or at any downtown hotel is twenty bucks a day. With accommodations in walking distance to the casino, I should be able to make out just fine without a car.
Application complete. If all goes as planned, in a week or two, I will get my gaming license approved and the Tournament Director will send me a real job offer with all the details. My hope is that the details include the information on local accommodations for out of town dealers. I worry but I do have some confidence that everything will be fine - if only because I know that there is a crew of dealers roaming from venue to venue dealing each of the tournaments. They all need places to stay and I have heard about people staying in the local hotels, getting "random" roommate assignments and so forth. I just need to be patient.
