Hey r/vegaslocals,

I'm Heather Ferris, a second-generation Las Vegas native, and I spent over 20 years working in the casino industry. I've been on every side of this business: I've taught at UNLV as an Adjunct Professor, I've invented three casino games, and now I run a free dealer school.

My biggest industry secret? You don't need to pay for dealer school to get hired in Las Vegas.

In Vegas, casinos often hire based on personality and potential, not just school certificates. They will teach you their procedures. The key to getting hired is having a good handle on the game basics and developing the muscle memory through practice.

That's why I created Vegas Aces: to be the free, expert guide that walks you through the skills you need—saving you hundreds or thousands of dollars.

Your Casino Career Start: The Free Path

The Audition: The secret to nailing the audition is showing that you have already put in the hours practicing. You need speed and precision in three areas: shuffling, cutting checks, and pitching.

• Dealers on the Strip earn their high income through pooled tips, often resulting in an effective hourly rate of $40+ per hour and annual earnings well over $90,000 for full-time work.
• The "Trick": Get hired at a "break-in" house with one game (like Blackjack), then practice and learn new games on your break time—getting paid to learn instead of paying a school! https://www.vegas-aces.com/course/become-blackjack-dealer-without-school/

I've compiled all my best training resources and guides for both new dealers and serious players on my site. Everything you need to learn the basics is there, and it's 100% free.

You can find all the free guides, including detailed instructions on shuffling, pitching, and cutting checks, here:

➡️Vegas Aces Free Dealer and Player Guides⬅️

Drop your questions below. I'm here to answer everything about dealing school alternatives, how to practice at home, salary expectations, audition tips, and the biggest mistakes I've seen dealers make.

Let's help you get a local job!