Poker Unclogged

As we approach the end of August, regular readers of Poker Unclogged may recall that we have used this month’s pieces to explore the topic of poker vacations as alternatives to the package holiday.

With yesterday’s Bank Holiday (UK) traditionally marking the end of the summer for the working man, we have decided to wed ourselves with the preoccupations of a lot of households at this time of year and we turn our thoughts to school.

For most individuals, a return to the classroom usually means a time for a new uniform, a chance to laugh at the changes in one’s peer group and to be taught literature by an alcoholic.

For players interested in further their gaming education, a spell at The Casino College could promise much the same experience.

The Sacramento based college offers prospective card dealers plenty of options to help ensure their employment in a casino.

At the time of writing, applicants can choose to study courses in baccarat, blackjack, craps, pai-gow, roulette and of course, our beloved poker.

The courses range from fifty hours to one hundred and fifty hours. Interestingly, the college thinks it can teach poker dealing in ninety hours but needs the biggest time allocation for craps.

The main centre for the Casino College is in Sacramento but also has another four locations in California and three more premises in the rest of the US.

The demand for its places looks likely to continue to grow as new casinos continue to open and crave experienced fingers. Eight years ago, the entire state of California reported there were two thousand casino dealer jobs; three years ago they stated that two thousand six hundred new positions had been created in their state alone.

In these credit-crunched times, it could prove to be quite an appealing career choice because gambling has long been acknowledged as a recession proof industry (and one that presumably holds more appeal that selling hooch or turning tricks).

Graduates from The Casino College should not have to tout for long as they are presented with a certificate confirming competency only when they have completed the final stage – an ‘audition’ , or a live demonstration of ability in front of gamers and players.

The courses are competitively priced - $299 for blackjack, $599 for poker, but prospective dealers are advised to take more than one qualification to enhance their employment prospects. The College also offers a lifetime of help finding a placement and refresher courses are free.

With efficient card dealers capable of making $50,000 a year in tips, a course at The Casino College could well prove to be a shrewd investment for those that love poker but are also wedded to the idea of a monthly salary.

You may not be taught literature by an alcoholic but when you are ensconced at the felt, that experience is never that far away.