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What are the Different Croupier Jobs?

John Lister
John Lister

A croupier works in a casino, operating games of chance. The duties involve collecting bets and paying out winnings. The croupier is also in charge of making sure the rules of the game are followed. They deal cards, spin a roulette wheel, or perform other physical actions for the game.

Working in croupier jobs requires a diverse set of skills. A croupier works in a casino operating games of chance. The duties involve collecting bets and paying out winnings. The croupier is also in charge of making sure the rules of the game are followed. The job also involves dealing cards, spinning a roulette wheel, or other physical actions for the game.

A croupier can spin a roulette wheel.
A croupier can spin a roulette wheel.

Working in croupier jobs requires a diverse set of skills. Though a croupier does not have to make any decisions in a game, he or she must learn and fully understand the rules. This requires a good memory and, in many games, strong mathematical abilities. The job also requires the ability to maintain attention consistently, even under mental or physical stress. Many games also require the croupier to possess good levels of physical dexterity to handle cards, chips and other gaming objects.

Casino croupiers' job duties include collecting bets and paying out winnings.
Casino croupiers' job duties include collecting bets and paying out winnings.

People in croupier jobs are often exposed to greater health risks, both in and out of work. Croupiers often work long and unsociable hours which can affect sleep and increase the risk of problems with alcohol or other mood-altering substances. In casinos where smoking is allowed indoors, croupiers can be exposed to much higher levels of passive smoking than in other jobs.

Croupiers work at casino craps tables.
Croupiers work at casino craps tables.

There are naturally more croupier jobs in areas which have looser rules on setting up gambling outlets, for example in casino resort cities such as Las Vegas. In theory working here can give people a wider range of work, with opportunities to improve salaries by moving to more upscale casinos. The drawback of working in such locations is that rival casinos may offer different rules or different odds for the games, meaning croupiers must have the ability to quickly adjust to new surroundings.

In some countries, there are strict rules on the financial background of a croupier. In some cases, this may be an informal policy that people applying for croupier jobs can prove they have a sound bank balance. In other cases there can be legal restrictions which prevent somebody who has previously declared bankruptcy from working as a croupier. These rules are usually designed to reduce the risk of a croupier abusing their position to make money illegally. In many places a croupier will need to be licensed and may have to go through a criminal background check by the police.

You can get some idea of what croupier jobs involve from the 1998 movie Croupier starring Clive Owen. The movie was well-researched and Owen displays many of the qualities of a good croupier. These include close attention to detail, a detachment from emotion while working, and the ability to remain calm and professional while dealing firmly with customers. The movie also shows some of the negative physical and social effects on people in croupier jobs.

Discussion Comments

anon359872

Owen in the film "Croupier" is not a good representation of a croupier. The film was not well researched. It was pathetic and many points were wrong. You do not need a good credit score to be a croupier.

anon359871

I can teach a monkey to do 10 percent of a croup's job. You do not need great mathematical skills or memory. Training is very simple, and in most cases repetitive learning is what will get you through. It is still a great job in some countries and a bad one in most. Thirty years ago gaming staff were well treated.

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    • A croupier can spin a roulette wheel.
      By: Irochka
      A croupier can spin a roulette wheel.
    • Casino croupiers' job duties include collecting bets and paying out winnings.
      By: Yuri Arcurs
      Casino croupiers' job duties include collecting bets and paying out winnings.
    • Croupiers work at casino craps tables.
      By: MaryPerry
      Croupiers work at casino craps tables.