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School Catalog

Professional Poker Dealer Course

Publication Date: January 5th, 2026

Admission Requirements: Students must possess the ability to read, write, speak clearly, listen, and understand basic instructions in English. Students must have the ability and dexterity to handle poker chips, cards, and currency. Students must submit enrollment agreement to enroll in course.

License Requirements: The requirements for occupational gaming licenses vary state to state. It is strongly recommended that careful research of these requirements, laws, or any other barriers related to employment, is undergone within the state you seek employment. In Pennsylvania, you must be at least 18 years of age at the start date of employment and eligible to work in the United States. A high school diploma or GED equivalent may be required for employment at some casinos. Some casinos may also administer a math test as part of their hiring requirements. An offer of conditional employment requires one to submit to a drug test, background check, fingerprinting, and comply with all state gaming regulations. Relocation may be required for employment.

Educational Objectives: The Professional Poker Dealer course will teach students to deal various games of poker including, but not limited to, Texas Hold’em, Omaha, Stud games, & Draw games with a full understanding of all the games offered in any casino poker room. Students will learn the fundamentals of all various betting limits including No Limit, Limit, Spread Limit, and Pot Limit. The course will prepare student to properly control gaming cards, gaming chips, and gaming equipment. The course includes training on maintaining a professional demeanor as a dealer and the expectations of exemplary customer service in the workplace.

Credit Hours: Course includes a total of 96 instructional hours over a four-week period. Enrollment options include:
Day Class: Mon-Thurs, 8AM – 2PM
Night Class: Mon-Thurs, 5PM – 11PM

Course Tuition:
Tuition cost is $2,350.00 USD. There is an Enrollment Fee of $150.00. Additional fees for online/electronic payment methods are listed: Credit/Debit Card/Paypal 4% ($2,600 total), Venmo 2% ($2,550 total). There are no additional fees for ApplePay or Zelle payments. The costs for all supplies are included in the tuition. This does not include cost for CPR training, which is the responsibility of the student to complete their CPR training, outside of classroom hours, prior to the completion of the program. CPR training will cost approximately $20/person. If student is already CPR certified, evidence of a current, valid, and non-expired certificate is required and cannot expire before program completion.

If student wishes to purchase a deck of cards and poker chips to practice with at home – the school suggests purchasing “Copag” or “Kem” brand cards ($20-$50), and “Brybelly” 11.5g Poker Chips ($15). Costs for these materials are approximate and are available online.

Graduation Requirement: Student must display proficiency in all skill sets for each game by receiving a minimum of 3 of 5 points for each of the seven competencies, in addition to an overall graduating score of 25 points or more, out of a maximum score of 35 points during their final audition. Each student is required to attend every scheduled class, and make-up missed hours if needed.

Evidence of current or non-expired CPR training certificate is also required to successfully complete the course. Students will have an opportunity to schedule CPR training, as a group or independently, to obtain CPR training at the school at a time outside of instructional hours, and within the 4 weeks of class. A certificate cannot be released until all requirements have been met. If a student was not able to obtain CPR training within the 4-week program, upon receipt of proof of completion the Professional Poker Dealer Certificate will be held.

Award: The credential awarded upon course completion/graduation is a Professional Poker Dealer Certificate. A certificate cannot be released until all requirements have been met.

Course Credits/ Certificate Information: Any/all instructional hours in progress, maintained, or completed by students are not eligible for transfer to another casino training school or casino dealer training program, nor can any hours/credits be transferred to the Poker Dealer School of Philadelphia. Upon award date of certificate, if graduate student does not begin professional work in a casino as a poker dealer in a casino poker department within a 5-year time period the certificate will then be considered expired exactly 5 years after the certificate award date – as mandated by the Pennsylvania Gaming Control Board.

Grading System: Final course grade is subject to a final audition taken at the end of the course, which tests students on their dealing technique, proper betting rules, and skill sets for each game. Games tested are Hold’em, Omaha Hi-Lo, Pot Limit Omaha, 7 Card Stud, and one randomly chosen Draw game.

The final audition will test specifically on:

1) card control – pitch and shuffle

2) chip cutting – proper cutting of gaming chips

3) pot knowledge – correct amounts and side pots

4) rake – precise amount and proper time of collection

5) hand reading – accurate announcing and awarding winner

6) game knowledge – correct rulings and structure of games

7) game pace – moving action along with steady timing

Each skill set is worth up to 5 points each, for a maximum score totaling 35 points. Points are deducted for mistakes and errors. A minimum of 3 of 5 points is required for each of the seven skill sets. A minimum passing/graduating score is 25 points. Student must display proficiency in all skill sets for each game by receiving a graduating score of 25 points or more, with a minimum of 3 out of 5 points for each skill set during their final audition.

School Facility: The Poker Dealer School of Philadelphia’s physical facility is located inside a professional office building in the Northern Liberties neighborhood of Philadelphia. The building shares separate, private entrances with residential & commercial spaces. The school’s classroom has its own 800 square foot private designated learning space for training and instruction, free from any distractions.

Student Conduct: All students are expected to behave in a courteous manner toward fellow students and instructors. Any vulgar, obscene, lewd, or inappropriate conduct from any student will not be tolerated and student will be subject to expulsion from the school. Drugs, alcohol, and gambling are strictly prohibited within the school. Students are required to review, acknowledge, and adhere to the school’s Code of Conduct, which provides further details on behavior expectations, prohibited actions, and available resources. Receipt and acknowledgment of this document are mandatory for all enrolled students. If a student is expelled for violating school policies or misconduct, a refund will be calculated based on their last date of attendance.

Attendance Policy: Students must be in the classroom and seated at the start time of class. Absences and missed hours can be made up during a Friday within the same 4-week program. There is no fee for make-up hours. If the student is unable to make up missed class time, they will not be able to successfully complete the course, and no certificate will be awarded. Repeated lateness will result in the requirement of make-up days.

Cancellation Policy: Student may cancel and terminate their enrollment within 5 calendar days of signing enrollment agreement. Notice of cancellation within 5 calendar days of signing enrollment agreement will be fully refundable. If cancellation is requested after 5 calendar days of signing enrollment agreement, but before the commencement of the program, only payment toward tuition will be refunded. A request for cancellation that is not in writing shall be confirmed by the school, and a refund will be given when submitting notice of cancellation within 5 calendar days. The Poker Dealer School of Philadelphia may terminate this agreement in the event of nonpayment by student by the starting date. Upon cancellation of enrollment agreement, neither party shall have any further rights or obligations under the enrollment agreement.

Refund Policy: If notice of cancellation is received prior to the start of classes, all tuition paid will be refunded. If the student withdraws after completing up to and including 10% of the total clock hours, the school will refund 90% of the tuition. If the student withdraws within the first 25% of total clock hours, the school will refund 55% of the tuition. If the student withdraws after 25% of total clock hours, but within 50% of total clock hours, the school will refund 30% of the tuition. If the student withdraws after 50% of the total clock hours, there will be no refund. The termination date for refund computation purposes is the last date of recorded attendance of the student, or the date the student requests cancellation. Refunds shall be made within 30 calendar days of the date the student fails to enter, leaves the program, or fails to return from a leave of absence. Refunds shall be paid by check, money order, ApplePay, Zelle, or cash with receipt.

Leave of Absence Policy: Students who require a leave of absence and are not able to finish the course during the same 4-week course period, will be eligible to rejoin at the start of the next available 4-week course.

Complaint Procedure: All complaints should be addressed to the School Director – Frank Tsyngauz. The Poker Dealer School of Philadelphia is licensed by the Board and all questions or concerns that are not satisfactorily resolved by the School Director may be brought to the attention of the State Board of Private Licensed Schools, Pennsylvania Department of Education, 607 South Drive, Floor 3E, Harrisburg, PA 17120.

Job Placement: The Poker Dealer School of Philadelphia cannot guarantee job placement, as there are several factors that affect career opportunities that are out of the school’s control. However, upon obtaining a Professional Poker Dealer Certificate, graduates will be fully eligible to apply for work as a poker dealer in any casino card room. Our instructors are required to ensure that each student is adequately prepared for their casino auditions. The school can provide limited assistance with job applications and resumes outside of classroom instruction hours. It is the sole responsibility of students to search for available jobs, and to apply to them. Relocation may be required for employment.

Student Services: Every enrolled or graduated student is permitted to return to the school for dealing practice, by appointment only. The school is able to provide assistance with job applications and resumes – outside of classroom instruction hours. It is the sole responsibility of each student to search for available positions, apply to jobs themselves, and to begin and complete their own job searches and job applications. We cannot submit job applications for students. Relocation may be required for employment.

School Calendar: The Professional Poker Dealer course takes place each month of the year, for 4 weeks, beginning on the first full week of the month. The Poker Dealer School of Philadelphia will be closed on all observed U.S. Federal Holidays:
New Year’s Day Martin Luther King, Jr. Day Presidents’ Day Memorial Day, Juneteenth, Independence Day, Labor Day, Columbus/Indigenous Peoples Day, Veterans Day, Thanksgiving Day, Christmas Day

For the 2026 Calendar Year, the dates are as follows:

MonthDatesDay Class HoursDates of Holidays/Closed Days OffHoliday Make-Up Days
Jan5th – 30thMon-Thurs, 8am-2pmMonday, Jan 19 – Martin Luther King, Jr. DayFriday, January 23rd
Feb2nd – 27thMon-Thurs, 8am-2pmMonday, February 16 – Presidents’ DayFriday, February 20th
Mar2nd – 26thMon-Thurs, 8am-2pmN/AN/A
Apr6th – 30thMon-Thurs, 8am-2pmN/AN/A
May4th – 29thMon-Thurs, 8am-2pmMonday, May 25 – Memorial DayFriday, May 29th
June1st – 25thMon-Thurs, 8am-2pmFriday, June 19th – JuneteenthN/A
July6th – 30thMon-Thurs, 8am-2pmFriday, July 4th – Independence DayN/A
Aug3rd – 27thMon-Thurs, 8am-2pmN/AN/A
SeptSep 7th – Oct 1stMon-Thurs, 8am-2pmMonday, September 1st – Labor DayN/A
Oct5th – 29thMon-Thurs, 8am-2pmMonday, October 12th – Columbus Day/Indigenous Peoples’ DayFriday, October 16th
Nov3rd – 26thMon-Thurs, 8am-2pmThursday, November 27th – ThanksgivingFriday, November 21st