Casino Pit Bosses

Dealing standing over Las Vegas blackjack table

Antoine Taveneaux (Own work) / CC BY-SA 3.0 / via Wikimedia Commons

Did you ever wonder what a casino pit boss does? The job can look very easy if you are observing from a blackjack table and, it can look pretty tough when you see the pit boss frantically changing cards, answering the phone, getting yelled at by an upset gambler, throwing out a drunk, and filling out a lot of paperwork on the pit podium. What's the scoop you might wonder?

Pit Boss Responsibilities

The job has changed greatly over the years. The pit boss was originally the casino manager or one of the managers. Today's "pit boss" may be responsible for watching a few table games, running a pit of a dozen games, or running several pits of table games and all the floor supervisors who are watching games and dealers in those pits. The job is still one of the most sought-after of all casino jobs.

Sometimes the suits who watch several pits are called pit managers. Regardless, the job starts with the ability to watch the dealers for errors and ensure that proper procedures are followed, payoffs are handled correctly, and guests are treated properly.

Floor supervisors will be in direct and constant contact with the dealers and guests. The pit boss will oversee the pit and the paperwork involved.

Paperwork includes player rating sheets, table game inventory sheets, table (chip) fill and credit slips, shift reports, MTL and CTR documents, and any other items required by the US Title 31 banking regulations. In Nevada, these were originally called Reg. 6-G, but the banking regulations have now taken precedence.

Player Disputes

Due to player or dealer errors, there will occasionally be disputes on table games. The pit boss may be called as a final authority regarding disagreements or requests. A thorough understanding of all table game rules and regulations is a must for the job of pit boss. Extended disputes may require the presence of the casino manager or manager on duty, and the Casino Regulatory Agency or Gaming Control Board.

In addition to casino floor management such as credit, surveillance, game protection, comps and the pencil (daily dealer table scheduling and staffing), pit bosses are responsible for myriad office paperwork jobs.

Paperwork

The paperwork required to run a large casino's table games department is considerable. Pit bosses and floor supervisors are often responsible for handling dealer schedules, shift changes, personal time off, vacations, and regular scheduling. Dealer and floor supervisor coaching and reviews are standard, as well as training in guest interaction, coaching, game protection, and floor paperwork like guest and table wins and losses and proper procedures for fills, credits, and table inventory.

Card counting, cheating, and scams are also on the training schedule so supervisors understand what to look for and how to combat problems.

Daily shift reports for shift managers may also need to be prepared, but the after-hours paperwork is usually quick. A standard eight-hour shift usually includes three or four short breaks; one of which is at least half an hour for a meal period.

Pay Scale

Pit bosses are usually paid more than box men who watch crap games and floor supervisors. When pit boss duties include most of the duties listed above, the position will often start at approximately $24 per hour. Some pit bosses receive an envelope, which is a tiny cut of dealer takes, regardless of whether the dealers go for their own or split their tips with other dealers.

Don't worry if this isn't for you, there are a lot of different casino jobs!