Actor Playing A Dealer Needs HELP!

Hi All,

I'm a professional magician and actor from Ontario Canada. I seem to have a dilemma! I was recently cast in a film as a casino dealer. They want me to do some cheating (Switches etc), no problem there. I've been a gambling themed card magician for many years.

The problem I do have is with actual dealing procedures. I know the rules and many strategies to the games but I do not know the exact procedures. (How many shuffles, when to wave off bets, which hand to do things with etc).

I have until Monday to look like a pro. I intend to go to a Caino to watch for a day on Saturday.

If anyone has any information to offer, I'd truly appreciate an email. I've been calling casinos and schools like made but no one seems to be able to help.

Thanks a TON,

Chris Stolz
chris@coolcardtricks.com

If there is a dealer school in your area, you might be able to speak to them, tell them what you need and perhaps pay for a private type lesson that will give you the basics for what you need.
Otherwise, watching dealers would help but there might be things you miss or if you know a dealer they could help you. Things like you said, which hand to each side of the table, how to break down chips and many other things are just things we generally do not think about.

I would suggest that in addition to observing the dealer's in action, that you sit down at a low-limit table and play a little. Tell the dealer what your situation is and ask for some advice. If it's a slow time (maybe rethink going on a Saturday), you might even enlist the aid of the pit boss. I'm guessing that most of them would be glad to help you. It gives them a chance to talk about what they do and themselves. Most people really like to do that.

Good luck, both at the table and with your gig.

someone who is not an actor but plays an AP in real life could use this scenario for a little cover while playing as well. ;)

Things like shuffling, and chip handling you can only learn by practice.

Be sure when you deal the cards to the layout, don't snap them. Cards should be dealt as quietly as possible. The center pips should always be showing. I'm not really sure how important of a role you are playing, but usually if its a minor role then just listen to the director or producer's advice. Sometimes in acting roles, its more important to do things what the audience percieves as correct as opposed to the actual procedure. Procedures vary from casino to casino anyway. Just don't bend the cards too much when shuffling and deal with the card between your 2nd and 3rd fingers. Don't press your thumb into the card.

Those are just some universal basic procedures, but just get some advice from a few different dealers and show the director what you've learned and see if he thinks its good for the camera.