Dealer and floor manager careers at a poker club: how to get started and where to find work
In poker, the floor manager — often just called “the floor” — is the staff member who coordinates the tournament and rules on disputed situations according to its rules. A dealer runs the hand at a specific table: handles cards and chips, announces actions, and keeps track of the action order. Below are the differences between the two roles and the path to your first shift.
Dealer vs. floor manager: duties compared
| Dealer | Floor manager |
|---|---|
| Scope: one assigned table | Scope: the tournament or several tables |
| Deals cards, announces actions, and keeps track of the action order | Coordinates levels, breaks, and what the staff do |
| Spots an error, records the situation, and calls the floor | Establishes the facts and makes a ruling within the rules |
| Reports eliminations and carries out agreed seat moves | Plans table balancing, table consolidation, and dealer changes |
| Needs technique, attentiveness, and a calm voice | Needs knowledge of procedures, team coordination, and the ability to explain rulings |
Dealer skills
- Clean deck and chip handling. Practice at a training table, with no money bets.
- Understanding the action order and how a hand is structured. Accuracy first, speed second.
- Announcing actions clearly, stopping when something is unclear, and calling the floor.
- Staying neutral: never advising players on their decisions or discussing anyone else’s cards.
Floor manager skills
A floor manager has to know the rules in force, stay in touch with the dealers, and explain decisions without pressuring participants. In a dispute, they gather the facts first. Their authority, the appeals process, and how they work with the tournament director must be defined before the start.
Hands-on tasks include seating and table balancing, managing the tournament timer and breaks, and closing late registration on schedule. Rulings must never depend on whether you know a player personally.
How to prepare for your first shift
- 1Study the rulesLearn the specific organizer’s rules, the dealing sequence, and when and how to call the floor. Knowing the terminology and tournament formats will help you understand your assignments.
- 2Practice your techniqueAsk a mentor to check a practice hand, your chip counting, and how you announce actions. Work through mistakes one at a time.
- 3Prepare your resumeList your city, experience, the procedures you’ve mastered, your availability, and your willingness to train. Don’t claim shifts you haven’t worked — use our resume checklist.
- 4Agree on the termsBefore your first shift, clarify the duties, shift length, pay, employment arrangement, breaks, and mentor. Whether training is offered depends on the specific vacancy.
- 5Get feedbackAfter the shift, ask what your strengths are and for one thing to work on in your next practice session. If you want to move up to floor manager, work separately on running the room and resolving disputes.
Where to find work
Compare several vacancies by city, schedule, and requirements. An industry platform helps you find club openings, and referrals from colleagues and general job sites can be useful too. Having a resume doesn’t guarantee an invitation, so tailor each application to the specific shift.
Organizers will find a separate guide on hiring dealers and floor managers, with a job posting template and trial shift criteria.
Sources and further reading
- Poker TDA: rules and recommended procedures
The official collection of tournament rules and procedures for studying situations at the table. Before a shift, check with the organizer which rules apply at that particular tournament.
Frequently asked questions
What is a floor in poker?
A floor manager coordinates the tournament, the dealers’ work, seating, and timing. They rule on disputed situations within the authority set by the tournament rules.
How is a dealer different from a floor manager?
A dealer runs the hand at one table. The floor is responsible for several tables or the whole tournament, coordinates the staff, and makes rulings on disputed situations.
Can I start with no experience?
It depends on the vacancy. Look for openings with training and a mentor, be honest about your level, and agree on the terms of the internship in advance.
How do I move up from dealer to floor manager?
Besides confident work at the table, you need to know the rules, manage the room and staff, and resolve disputes. Learn these tasks under the guidance of an experienced mentor.