WSOP Dealer Orientation

The mandatory meeting yesterday was mostly introductory stuff, meet the staff, sign your life on reading the Rio's policies, procedures for getting paid, how tips will work, who to call, etc. We did pick up our vests, which we had to sign a paycheck deduction to the tune of $100 for. The rest of the uniform is our responsibility, which is the norm. Access badges, name tags, a tour of the Amazon room and some informal training on table procedures with regards to mixed games, raked vs. time games, an additional poker variety being spread that wasn't in the dealers manual. We got our first week schedule, which may or may not change much. I am on day shift, not reporting until 11am and will have Tues and Wed off, at least initially. This works well for me, I think. The bigger cash games will surely be later in the evenings, but I will get to stay out of the heat and my off time will be in the mornings and late evenings. This is a factor for the pigment-challenged.

ESPN has invested quite a bit in the final table stage and feature table area. It is quite impressive, much larger than I expected with lots of room for audiences and media personnel. The lighting and camera work seems pretty intense, I was impressed with the literally dozens of people climbing all around putting it together and testing things out. The main room was basically built over the last couple of days. All I saw the other day was the rough materials for the tables stacked up and some tape on the floor, but late yesterday afternoon, all the tables were pretty much done and some barracade work showed that they might have a little more access control this year. There are fewer tables in the Amazon this year, to allow more room for the floor personnel to do their job and improve service to the players. To help accommodate, a pavilion was built out side with 70+ tables for overflow, growth, etc. The entire setup is pretty awesome and it amazes me how fast it all came together - a testament to planning, I suppose.

I saw a familiar face. One of the best dealers in Houston was here helping the poker room manager and his assistants with room setup. I am guessing he is a floor person and might even be one of my managers. I look forward to talking with him and connecting about the Houston poker scene.