NORMAN, Okla. — The chips and cards fly across the tables under the watchful eye of Abby Beals.
After more than 10 years on the blackjack floor, the Riverwind Casino pit shift boss said she still enjoys the ebb and flow of the action, the thrilling wins and the disappointing losses, nearly oblivious to the bright lights and chatter of the slot machines in the background.
"I love just being out here with the players, watching the action," she said. "It's different every day. People from all walks of life come in to play blackjack. There's a lot of details you have to be aware of, a lot of managerial responsibility. But the best part is just being out here."
Beals, 30, started dealing blackjack at the Chickasaw Nation casino shortly after graduating from high school and patiently worked her way up to floor supervisor, to pit boss, and to shift boss. Each floor supervisor is responsible for confirming cash transactions and making sure dealers follow procedure; each pit boss oversees about 10 tables. Beals helps the pit bosses avoid problems as they arise.
Cheating, for example, is a constant concern, even though not usually intended, Beals said.
"What's real common that you'll see is when a player tries to cap or pitch a bet," she said. "There's a lot of things that are happening all at the same time and the dealer needs to have a good eye on the layout. Like the player might try to drop another five-dollar chip on his circle after the action has already started — that's capping. Pitching refers to when a player knows he's not going to win so he tries to retrieve a couple of chips. You can't do that.
"But accidents do happen, especially with new players who might not know how to play yet," she said.
Has she caught someone cheating?
"I definitely have," she said. "But you don't want to run up to the player and just announce, 'You're cheating!' We watch the player, obviously, and notify surveillance, and we let the player know politely that you cannot do that. If they're new players, it will show immediately because they'll be like, 'Oh my gosh, I'm so sorry!' And then you just keep an eye on them."
The devil is in the details, she quickly learned. During the monthlong training course for new dealers, for example, they learn that cards must be dealt from the shoe, or deck, only with the left hand. The right hand has its own prescribed tasks.
"We have so many processes and procedures that have to do with compliance, state law and the Chickasaw Nation as well," she said. "Being able to catch minor errors, keeping track of numbers and money, being aware of hundreds of things that have to be done a particular way. You need a detail-oriented mind."
And a thick skin.
"We've had dealers on their first day, after going through a monthlong training period who feel real confident, but on the table they've broken down and cried," Beals said. "Because players can be very verbally abusive when they're losing. Not necessarily at the dealer, but the angry cussing and frustration, and some people just can't handle it."
On the other hand, "it's always exciting when someone comes in, especially a new player, and they might be in for $100 when they get on an incredible run and they get up to $4,000 or $5,000. It's really fun to watch that and see the excitement in their faces," she said.
"Whether they're winning or losing, their reactions are priceless."
State News
Blackjack a good living for one dealer
- State News
-
-
Insurance department apologizes for offensive language in email
The Oklahoma Insurance Department on Thursday apologized for what it described as “an unauthorized draft of an e-mail” that contained “offensive and unacceptable language” while promoting an upcoming tornado summit.
-
Santorum’s Oklahoma visit raises interest among voters
Former U.S. Sen. Rick Santorum’s rising star in the Republican presidential race may be translating into renewed interest among Oklahoma voters.
-
The great debate over fracking
The nation’s long-term energy future offers no free lunches or gain without pain, two geoscientists said Tuesday in a University of Tulsa debate on the merits of hydraulic fracturing.
-
Oklahoma Senate Republicans release legislative agenda, goals include income tax cut
Senate Republicans released a legislative agenda Tuesday similar to that of Gov. Mary Fallin, but short on details.
-
WPX reports proved reserves grew 9 percent for year
Tulsa-based oil and gas producer WPX Energy Inc. reported Monday that total proved reserves at year’s end grew 9 percent over 2010.
-
Tribal leaders respond to request to end lawsuit
Any realistic hope Oklahoma Gov. Mary Fallin had leaders of two southeastern Oklahoma Indian tribes would acquiesce to her request to drop a lawsuit over water rights were dashed Monday evening.
-
Oklahoma Legislature: Pair is again filing bills
The only two lawmakers who didn’t introduce any legislation last year have returned to the Capitol this year with plenty of offerings.
-
Lawmakers talk taxes
For the Oklahoma Legislature, the only certainty in 2012 is that tax policy will be the focus for much of the session that starts Monday. -
Family of man who committed suicide in jail files lawsuit
One and a half years after their son died in the Payne County Jail, Ron and Thora duBois have filed a federal lawsuit against county officials and the corporation that provides health care to county jail inmates.
-
Oklahoma DHS director resigns effective Feb. 29
In a tear-filled statement, Oklahoma Department of Human Services Director Howard Hendrick announced Tuesday he would be stepping down from the agency Feb. 29.
- More State News Headlines
-
Insurance department apologizes for offensive language in email
