How to Pass a Dealing Audition [2026 Guide]

My name is Heather Ferris and I am going to be teaching you how to pass an audition when you want to be a casino dealer.

Becoming a casino dealer isn't an easy task. Everyone can get a chance, but not all will secure a spot. According to Recruiters.com, demand for casino dealers is projected to increase by 7.16% percent annually, and about 43,370 positions will need to be filled by 2029. Therefore, if you intend to become a gambling dealer, either a temporary or long-term goal, it is time to prepare by learning how to ace an audition.

New for 2026: The Dealer Audition Quick-Check

Before you head to the casino, ensure you've checked these four boxes:

• Attire: Salt and Peppers (White button-down, black slacks, black shoes).
• Math Readiness: Be prepared for 3:2 and 6:5 payout questions on the fly.
• Soft Skills: Eye contact and smiling are as important as your shuffle.
• Practice: Have you mastered our Interactive Flashcards yet?

1. Show Up: Secure an Audition Spot

First you have to get an audition. You can’t pass an audition if you don’t have an audition. The first thing you do is put in an application. Usually there will be an interview session before the audition. They want to get to know your personality, they want to know what kind of person you are. If you pass that first interview, then you will go on to the audition. When you pass the audition that's when you will get hired as a dealer.

With the increasing need for casino dealers, apply for an open position in a casino that matches your profile and get an audition. Apply to as many places as possible to increase your chances of getting auditioned. And when filling out your application form, be truthful. There is a high chance that the casino managers will audition you on the games you listed on your application. Therefore, be honest on your application.

2. Prepare for an Interview

Some casinos prefer to schedule interviews for candidates selected before proceeding to the audition stage. The main reason is to get to know you in person and learn more about you: your personality, are you friendly, are you personable, whether you attended a casino school, the games you can deal, and your previous experience. Casinos hire dealers based on their personality. Provide accurate answers to their questions. Also, it doesn't matter whether you are a break-in dealer. You stand an equal chance as someone who went to a casino school. If you have a successful interview, you will get an audition spot.

3. Be Clean: Work on your Appearance

When you go to the audition, of course like any audition, you want to be clean. Appearing clean at an audition is crucial. You want your hair to be done. For guys, your hair must be well cut, and your beard well-groomed. For ladies, wear moderate makeup and ensure your hair is neatly done. No braids or buns, as this will not be allowed on the casino floor, due to game security and table protection.

You want to be wearing your salt and peppers. When I say salt and peppers, what I am talking about is a white collared buttoned down shirt with long sleeves, black pants, black shoes and black socks. That is the attire that you want to wear when you go on an audition. The aim is to look good. You don't have to buy an expensive outfit.

4. Practice

Having secured an auction, it's time to prepare. Ask a few of your friends to ask you questions, or you can face a mirror. Try to answer questions to see how well you can flow when speaking. The goal is to avoid stuttering as much as possible and to provide concise answers. One cannot be too prepared, but it doesn't hurt to try.

If it's been a while since you dealt a game, then practice dealing at home as well. You don't need a casino table to practice, just a deck of cards and some coins.

5. Stage Fright

If you are auditioning, you are like sweating bullets, you are nervous, it’s normal. It’s like stage fright. Actually it is very similar to stage fright, because when you are dealing you are an entertainer! You are on stage.

One of the things you can do to combat this is to first make a top 10 list. Number 1 is the casino you want to work at the most. Number 10 is the casino you want to work at the least. Put the casinos in order based on how badly you want to work there.

Next, put in an application starting from the casino in spot number 10, and the go down the list. Go on an audition for each casino. You don't have to work there, you just want that experience of going on an audition. You want to get all of the mistakes and mess ups out of the way, at the casinos that you don’t want to work at, so by the time you audition at the casino at the top of your list, it will be a breeze and you will pass with flying colors. You are ready. You got this.

6. Show Personality

What are casino managers looking for when they audition dealers? The first thing casino managers are looking for is your personality. Are you friendly? Do you smile with customers? Do you talk with them? Are you engaging? How personable are you? If you don’t talk to the players, you’re mean, or have a straight face, you’re a little huffy or you are a little silent, they are not looking for that.

Personality is a huge, huge, huge portion of what they look for when they are hiring a dealer. The reason why is because if you have a casino dealer that is friendly, personable, they will talk to the players and will keep the players chatting for hours at a time. This keeps people on the table. The longer players stay on the table, the more money the casinos make.

If it's your first audition, you can let the manager know you're a little nervous, but wear a smile and be friendly. Casinos expect dealers to be nervous during their audition. The casinos are looking for someone players would always look forward to meeting the players on the table and can stay in control of any situation that may arise without losing composure.

7. Demonstrate Dealing Skills

The second thing the casino is looking for is your dealer skills. You don’t have to have excellent dealing skills to get hired as a dealer. Especially if you are a break-in dealer. If you are a break-in dealer this means that you have never dealt before. This is your first audition to your first casino, do not sweat it!

During the audition, the managers will ask you to deal on a live game. The floor supervisor, the shift manager, and the existing dealer will be watching you. Their main goal is to see your personality, your interaction with the players, and your dealing skills, which don't have to be exceptional on the first try.

Some casinos have a preferred method for handling chips and cards. However, they understand that you don't know the house policies and procedures and will not knock off points if you do the house shuffle differently. You are allowed to ask questions. Keep a good dealing pace. Not too slow that you lose hands-per-hour, but not too fast where you and making plenty of mistakes.

If you happen to be a break-in dealer, they would not rule you out for being inexperienced. Most casinos are willing to take you through the dealing process. Teaching you how to deal is easier than breaking bad habits. However, coming prepared by practicing how to deal major games like poker, blackjack, and baccarat would be highly beneficial. The more games you know, the more valuable you are as a dealer.

Pro Tip: One of the fastest ways to fail an audition isn't a physical mistake—it's "freezing" on table math. Use our 2026 Casino Math Flashcards to practice your payouts and brush up on your jargon before you walk onto the casino floor.

If you are already a dealer and you want to get into a better casino, then they will be a little more strict about dealing skills because they expect you to know what you are doing. Let’s say if you are a dealer over at the New Orleans casino in Las Vegas, and you want to become a dealer at the Venetian, yeah dealing skills are going to matter.

8. What Happens if You Make a Mistake?

Mistakes are going to happen. It’s normal. Totally normal. If you are on an audition, you will typically have a few floor people watching you. And the dealer shadowing you. When the dealer shadows you they are sitting right next to your shoulder. They are watching everything you do. They are there to stop you before you make a mistake, such as over-paying the player.

If a floorman or a dealer tells you to do something different on your audition, don’t argue with them, just do it. Go with the flow. What they are looking for is someone who can take direction without question. They want to see how easy going you are. They want to see how flexible you are.

It's okay to be nervous, it's okay to make mistakes during an audition. Just give it your best shot. Don't take any audition for granted, whether it's for a big or small casino. Be confident, work on your communication and dealing skills. You are going to do well!

9. Now You are Ready

I have had some people tell me that it is very hard to go and get an audition. If you want to get an audition, you always put your application in first. Whether that is online or in-person. After they have your application, go to the casino wearing your black and whites, or your salt and peppers, and ask for the shift manager. Let the shift manager know you are interested in working there as a dealer and are looking for an audition. They will ask you if you've submitted your application. You will say yes, and then one-of-two things will happen. They will either give you an audition date or they’ll tell you, “We’re not hiring right now,” which happens.

Conclusion

There you have it: seven checklists for passing a casino dealer audition. There may be a wait before you get a chance to audition, but it will come. If you are currently in a casino school, ask the relevant head of the casino school for opportunities. If you are a break-in dealer, don't hesitate to reach out to casinos you would like to work at. You can contact the casino without the dealer school involved, if they are taking their sweet time setting up an audition for you. There may be an opening. And if you are looking to level up to bigger casinos, aim for the best chance you can get.

If you need help to get hired as a casino dealer, reach out to us at Vegas Aces. Good luck!

FAQ

Q - How can I not be so nervous?

A - One of the ways you get over the nerves is to make a list one to ten. One being the casino you want to work at the most. Ten being the casino that you want to work at the least. Apply and audition at casino No.10 first so you can make all your mistakes and get that out of the way. By the time you get to No.1, you have done this ten different times and you will be more confident.

Q - Do casinos do video auditions in 2026?

A - While the physical audition on a live table is still the gold standard, many HR departments now start with a Zoom or Teams for a personality interview. Treat this like a pre-audition, dress business-casual and ensure your background is professional!

Q - Where are you?

A - I am filming at the Boulevard Mall at Heads Up Experience. If you get a chance go to Heads Up at the Boulevard Mall and they have all of these really cool 3-D murals around. My favorite is the one with the dogs playing poker

Q - The Boulevard Mall? Isn’t that close to the University or old Hard Rock Hotel and Casino?

A - Yes, absolutely. The University of Nevada Las Vegas is down the street. This is one of our oldest Malls here in Las Vegas. At the Boulevard Mall you have the Heads Up Experience which is really fun. They have theaters, an aquarium, and an arcade.