In a casino, what is the difference between a “dealer” and a “banker”?
I found an ad for a “casino banker gaming associate.” This position specifies that part of the associate’s responsibilities include:
Our opportunity requires working within a casino environment. The primary responsibilities include:
• Observing and participating in rotating bank games and verifying winning and losing bets;
• Providing excellent customer service to all participants; and
• Playing an optimal game strategy when it’s your turn to play.
Isn’t that what a dealer does? Can someone explain to me the difference between a “banker” and a “dealer” as it pertains to California casinos?
JackAce on Sep 5, 2011 Said:
In California card rooms (non Indian Reservation casinos), you never play against the house. You only play against other players. The house just takes a commission from your winnings when you win. The house also provides a dealer who deals the cards and ensures that the game is played properly.
If you play a game that you would normally play against the house (e.g. Pai-Gow, Super Pan 9 or any of the blackjack variant games), a player at the table acts as “banker” by fronting the money and all other players play against him.
With proper play, you can make a profit at some of these games.
Most of the time, there is one player at the table with several thousand dollars in chips who acts as the banker for most of the hands. This player is trained on optimal strategy and knows all the rules of the game and is able to make a profit because the banker usually has some small advantage that negates the house commission (e.g. in Pai-Gow, the banker wins ties).
These people are employed by one of these syndicates that is running the ad that you saw. This is the position that you saw advertised.