Essentials to Be a Good Poker Dealer

Poker is a card game with many variants. It became more popular in the early 21st century largely due to the introduction of online poker and television coverage of major poker tournaments. While there are hundreds of different ways to play poker, most of them have certain essential features. For example, players place an initial amount of chips into the pot before cards are dealt. These bets can be called, raised, or defended against. Players can also bluff during the hand.

In order to be successful at poker, you need to understand probability and statistics. A strong understanding of these concepts will allow you to make informed decisions about when and how much to bet. You will also need to be able to read other players and look for tells. These tells include nervous habits such as fiddling with a ring or chips, and they can also be the way a player plays. For example, someone who usually calls but raises on the flop is probably holding a monster hand.

As a dealer you should be able to keep your eyes on the table and follow the action when it is not your turn to act. You should be able to count how many chips are in the pot, and know how to distribute side pots. You should also be able to make change without disrupting the action. This is especially important when players are trying to be slick and conceal information about their hands.