Card Dealer Hire And Tips How To Keep It Cheap

Venue? Check! Equipment? Check! Guest List? Check! Decorations and Invitations? Check! Catering? Alcohol? R.S.V.P.'s? Check! Check! Check! Staff to man the tables that will not break what is remaining of the budget...? Ummm, not checked! Hosting a Poker night or a Casino Evening can involve a great deal of planning and can be a costly venture. Concentrating on the details to ensure the night runs smoothly must be balanced against keeping costs down and within budget. Splashing out money on equipment must also be balanced against having the right staff (at the right price) available to host card tables. However, luckily for you all you have to do is read on to find out how you can budget in card dealer hire and also some handy tips on how to keep it cheap.

There are many possible ways to go about trying to find a card dealer to hire for your casino or poker night. One of the easiest things to do is simply to shop around, do a lot of research, contact lots of companies and get multiple quotes. Knowing the average price for your area will allow you room to negotiate and perhaps even barter down the price.

You should contact agencies, check local business advertisements, the local paper and (embracing modern technology) search the internet for card dealers in your area. Although it is worth contacting events companies for a cost comparison, you may find that one of the simplest ways to cut the cost and find a cheap card dealer or croupier for your poker night is by simply avoiding the big companies altogether. Most casino party planners will have contacts but the whole party planning business tends to be focused on those with deep pockets and, as a result, comes at a price.

In fact going direct to dealer, is usually a fantastic idea (and certainly a top tip!). A self employed card dealer is far more likely to be available at a reduced rate than hiring a card dealer through an agency who would require fees or a larger firm who would want a margin.

Hiring a card dealer directly also allows you room for negotiation when it comes to fees and costs. Although it is normal practise for card dealers to charge per hour, there is usually a minimum booking time of three or four hours. Having made personal contact, face to face, email or telephone contact with a dealer, may give you scope to negotiate their terms.

Timing is also important, with certain nights of the week and certain peak periods being busier than others. As with most professional services, there is often a premium for high demand periods. If you are able to organise your event 'off-peak' so to speak, you may find that there is greater room for negotiation in rates. This may of course apply to other services you have planned for the evening such as entertainment or caterers.

As well as reduced cost, contacting a card dealer directly has the added bonus of getting to know them before you hire them. Whilst all card dealers should be qualified and experienced, and since the profession lends itself to well groomed and socially amicable people who can handle money and customers with ease, there is a lot to be gained by checking out someone's profile or reading recommendations from satisfied customers before hiring them. Whereas a larger company may send one of many card dealers to your event, contacting a dealer directly allows you to conduct a more personal selection process, in identifying someone who will not only be professional but will have a personality and approach suited to your guests.