Texas Gaming Institute provides professional, hands-on training for individuals looking to learn poker dealing in a structured workshop. Designed to mirror real card room conditions, the program focuses on dealer mechanics, poker procedures, game flow, professionalism, and live table confidence. Students will gain practical experience in dealing, chip handling, game integrity, player interaction, and poker room operations while preparing for opportunities within the growing Texas poker industry.

Step Into the Most Important Seat at the Table

Topics include:

• Professional Dealer conduct  

• Shuffling and pitching mechanics  

• Chip handling and pot management  

• Texas Hold'em cash game procedures  

• Tournament procedures  

• Pot Limit Omaha  

• Big-O/Congress (5-card Hi/Lo)

• Dealer auditions and evaluation

Sign Up for a Workshop
Close-up of a hand stacking black and gold poker chips on a black and gold table with intricate designs

weekly overview

A structured 6-week training program designed to teach the fundamentals of professional poker dealing through hands-on instruction, live game simulations, and real-world poker room procedures. Each week builds on the last, helping students develop confidence, precision, and industry-ready skills.

    • Introduction to the role of a professional poker dealer

    • Dealer expectations, conduct, and table professionalism

    • Basic rule interpretation and table procedures

    • Fundamentals of chip handling, shuffling, and pitching

    • Table control, posture, and game flow

    • Understanding the Texas poker room environment

    • Overview of Texas poker room operations and legal structure

    • Cash game and tournament procedures

    • Chip management and money handling fundamentals

    • Blind structures, betting, and side pot procedures

    • Game protection and player management

    • Tournament standards and room operations

    • When and how to involve the Floor

    • Real-world dealing scenarios and table control

    • Introduction to Pot Limit Omaha (PLO)

    • Key differences between NLH and PLO

    • Pot calculation and betting mechanics

    • Hand reading and board analysis

    • Common dealer mistakes and game scenarios

    • Bomb pots, capped, and uncapped game procedures

    • Introduction to Big-O (Congress) gameplay

    • Reading high and low hands

    • Split pot and side pot calculations

    • Understanding live cards, counterfeits, and board textures

    • Extra chip and tiebreaker procedures

    • Speed and efficiency training

    • Game flow and player communication

    • Error recovery techniques

    • Mock auditions and live evaluations

    • Live audition dealing

    • Game supervision training

    • Final Dealer assessment

    • Certification & graduation completion

Seats for Texas Gaming Institute workshops are intentionally limited to maintain a focused, hands-on learning environment and ensure every participant receives personalized instruction. Because of this, not all applicants will be accepted into the program. Prospective participants will go through a brief interview and audition process beforehand, including the opportunity to sit in on a live workshop from 12PM–2PM to experience the training environment and determine if TGI is the right fit for them.

the tgi Process

A black spade suit symbol with gold outline on a black background.

1. Learn the Fundamentals

Build a strong foundation in poker rules, terminology, table procedures, and game flow.

A black heart-shaped object with a textured surface, outlined by a glowing gold or warm light against a black background.

2. Develop Dealer Mechanics

Practice shuffling, pitching, chip handling, pot control, and managing live hands with confidence.

A black textured leather diamond-shaped object with a glowing gold outline, set against a black background.

3. Step Into Live Table Training

Work through live simulations and hands-on table training designed to mirror real poker room environments.

A black and gold club suit symbol with a textured surface, set against a dark background.

4. Prepare for the Industry

Gain professional insight, Dealer evaluations, and career guidance to help prepare for future opportunities in the poker industry.

“Every great poker room is built on strong dealers. Our goal at Texas Gaming Institute is to prepare students for the pressure, precision, and professionalism the industry demands.”

— Ky Maxwell, Texas Gaming Institute

A person in a black shirt with a gold spade symbol is sitting at a blackjack table with chips, holding a deck of playing cards.

Let's Get You in the Box

If you have questions about training with us, complete the form. We'll review your submission and get back to you within 48 hours.