My friend decided on this poker school because it offered "Kamaaina Rates." What she got in return is a full comprehensive training and preparation to everything poker related. I'm so proud of my single mom friend making a successful living here in Vegas. Why am I writing this review? Because my friend doesn't do Yelp and I wanted to make sure this business gets the credit it deserves. Mahalo Willie and staff for making dreams happen on the 9th island. read more

Greetings, poker fans! Mark is my name and I would like to share with you my thoughts and feelings about Tony Shelton Poker School, as well as a premier dealing academy. I just graduated in November 2022. Ironically, I graduated from the Tony Shelton Poker School in January 2016 and dealt the World Series of poker main event here in Las Vegas, Nevada as well as World Series of poker circuit tournaments in Council Bluffs, Iowa and Cherokee, North Carolina. All of that dealing was done right out of school! So the school totally served its purpose. However, at that time, there was just as much focus on PLAYING poker as there was an DEALING poker. Poker playing strategies were discussed on a regular basis, player etiquette, and other aspects of playing. Nothing could be further from the truth at the current day, Tony Shelton Poker school and premier dealing Academy. The entire focus on is on being the best dealer that you can possibly be for well over 18 different variations and games of poker. Playing poker is not at all a focus. I was amazed at how many different scenarios were taught in which a dealer could find themselves. Everything from how a player bets to what constitutes a misdeal, and everything in between. Any scenario you could think of, any situation a dealer could find themselves in, are discussed and taught in detail at the school! I am now totally prepared to audition for a job at any one of the dozen plus Poker Rooms here in Las Vegas and then take that experience to the commerce casino in Southern California! I highly recommend Tony Shelton poker School and Premier dealing Academy, if you want to become a professional Poker Dealer! read more

Being a player, was already familiar with how to play Texas Holden tournaments. But i wanted to expand my knowledge and become a dealer! So, looking for the right school was important to me. After meeting Willie (the director) and sitting in a couple of his classes, I knew this was the right school for me! Willie is hands on and will give personal individual attention to each and everyone. He not only teaches the basic techniques needed, but also teaches every different scenario needed for whatever game you might deal. But I think what's even better, is his personally! He makes it fun and challenging and he wants you to be your best, by saying " don't be that dealer" Thanks Willie for helping me find a job," shuffle up and deal " read more

I'm loving my time at Tony Sheltons . I decided that it was time for a possible career change and since I love the game of poker, I thought why not become a dealer? A good friend of mine recommended , Tony Shelton school. So I joined and I'm so glad I Did. It has been one of the best decisions I've made in a long time. The instructors are great, super knowledgeable and fun to work with. I look forward to going to school every day. Worth every penny. read more

I went to this school a few years ago. I knew very little about poker when I walked in the doors. James and everyone at the school taught me over 19 games. Since graduation I have dealt countless televised events and final tables. Going to Tony Shelton Dealing School was the launch pad for a successful career as a poker dealer. I recommend this school to any ambitious individual wanting to learn. read more

I can't recommend this school higher! I did 7 weeks at another school and I was LOST I transferred here and I'll never look back. I learned more in 2 days than I learned at a larger school in weeks! The small classes, poker only specialty, and one-on-one training here is absolutely the best training in town. Don't waste your time at other schools. This is the place. WSOP here I come! read more

Yesterday I passed my audition for the World Series of Poker as a level 2 mixed games dealer!! Credit where credit is due, and this dealing school is exactly where that credit is placed. It offers an extensive training program both online and in it's location. The instructor/owner, Willie Coleman, is beyond knowledgeable with everything poker related and works directly with you to help you achieve everything you want in this profession. He's well connected not just in Las Vegas, but country wide. He even helped me secure a job dealing for an upcoming event in St. Louis :)! He truly loves what he does not only as a professional dealer but as an instructor as well, and it shows everyday in his teaching style. I started this program not 2 months ago. I've never been a poker player either, so I went into it with literally zero understanding of these games. This program has molded me into a top rated dealer for the greatest poker organization in the world. During my audition there were 3 others shooting for the mixed games level, all of which had "training" at other local schools. It was the biggest confidence boost to be the only one who passed. Comparatively speaking, this school is the best by far and it VERY much showed yesterday. I would recommend nowhere else to anyone wanting to learn this profession as a whole, or even hone their craft to better and further their career. read more

TSDS is considered the Harvard of dealing schools. They demand a certain level of intelligence and/or aptitude to attend their school and they teach a "finesse" to the way you deal, not just throwing the cards and chips around. But you will learn how to deal with an artistic grace you just don't see at most poker halls. Well worth the bear $1k tuition. read more

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The owner of this school is a man by the name of James. He was formerly in the army, which wouldn't matter were it for the fact he spends a large amount of time discussing it, rather than teaching us how to deal. Because both he and his co-teacher, John, are both so sensitive and unprofessional, you're obliged to nod along and laugh at his stories when you should be learning, lest your draw their ire and the quality of instruction decrease further. Another issue I have with James is based on the fact I came into this school with only a cursory knowledge of how to play poker, much less deal it. James expects you to come to his school being educated on every facet of playing a game of poker. If you don't already know the rules and basics of how to play poker and require having it explained to you, James makes his frustration at your ignorance perfectly clear, huffing and puffing and explaining what he's discussing to you in an extremely condescending manner. I would advice you not to attend this school if you don't have many hours of playing poker under your belt already. Of course, this is not mentioned when you sign up and hand over the 800 dollars. James also does not like to repeat himself, and gets quite irritated if you need something clarified, or explained more in depth. So you'd better hear and understand exactly what he says the very first time he says it. James also promised us he would help us find a job once we got our Diploma This was a bold faced lie. 6 months on and after many requests neither I, nor anyone I went to class with has a job they didn't find independently. That is not entirely fair, however, as he arranged for members of my class to come along for a group interview for a casino that a friend of his was on the hiring panel for. He of course, failed to mention to any of us that they were not hiring poker dealers. We all went along on a group interview for a job that wasn't even hiring for the position we're looking for. Thanks, James. There's a second teacher working at this school, who's far worse than James. Meet John. John loves to condescend you. If you make a mistake he'll mercilessly rub your nose in it for the rest of the day. He seems to get off on embarrassing you in front of everyone present. When you need something clarified he will explain it to you like you're a child-in an overly slow, insulting speed with an inflection as if you're a complete idiot, with a smug grin on his face the entire time. It got to the point where I stopped attending class on the days I knew John would be there, for all the abuses I received from him. This school gets 1 star only because the lowest is 1 star. read more

When I enrolled to TSDS(Tony Shelton Dealing School),July 2017,I didn't have any knowledge about poker nor any knowledge in math.James Taught me overtime step by step,it took me a few weeks to figure everything out-the rules,reading hands,and how Everything is supposed to work out(being a poker dealer is no joke!).You have to have a passion for it and put in an effort.The environment is friendly and often times experienced poker dealers will come by to help teach and sharpen their game knowledge for the WSOP.James taught us finesse to the way you dealing not just throwing cards and chips on the table.They put a lot of effort and patience in the way they teach.And not just pitching cards,doing all mechanics right but also they taught us to be more observant.They also help you to find a job.I definitely recommend Tony Shelton Dealing School-worth every penny!!!!james and his wife were incredibly amazing.. read more

Excellent school. The instructor will teach you all the game of poker and he is very knowledgeable. And he will take care of you after you graduate from his school. I have scouted other school before coming here it seems like they only care about $$$. They won't help you find a job after you got your certificate. read more

Johnny r is right on the money. Do not enroll at this school. Tony Shelton might have had a good rep but this school is horrible. After a week I knew it was a waste of my time and the money is gone. Very disreputable in my opinion. Maybe Yelp should make red stars available for negative reviews. I would give this place four red stars and give me one red star for being duped. Look for a better class. read more

This is the place when it comes to poker...as a dealer or player...you get top knowledge if you put in the time...it's not easy, but worth every penny and sweat...if you get the diploma you will pass the WSOP Audition and deal the events...I did and 97% of all the other graduates...highest success rate of any poker school...simply the best! read more

Tony Shelton's Dealing School gave me the tools to pass two auditions and get job offered both times. The instructor has the experience and connections to guide you in your career path. The classroom environment is friendly, and often times experienced poker dealers will come by to help teach and sharpen their game knowledge for the WSOP. I definitely recommend this school to anyone seeking a career in poker dealing. read more

TSDS is one of the better dealing school I went to. They taught me all the games I need to know for the World Series of Poker. I learned all the proper procedure on all the games. All the instructors are very good and personal and knowledgeable about the games and procedures. Definitely recommending for anyone who want to be a casino dealer. read more

Tony Shelton's dealing school is the real deal. The instructor James Kean has over 40 years of experience and teaches the correct way to deal poker. The school is very connected with the WSOP, the Palms, Fitzgeralds and quite a few other casino poker rooms. This is not a school for someone who wants to half ass it though. James will tell you exactly what to expect and if you just follow the course you are guaranteed a spot as a dealer at the world series of poker. They are also running a dealer temp service out of the school so work will not be hard to find. I repeat, this school is not for pussies and neither is dealing cards... The very first table I dealt last year was the 200/500/1000 pot limit omaha with more than 2 million on the table and I was surprisingly prepared for it. I have dealt ESPN feature tables and high stakes mix games and survived my first year with my pockets fat and my resume solid. I am now at the end my second year, confident and extremely pleased that I chose the right place. I do miss the donuts and coffee and friends from the school. This was the key move to me moving out to Vegas and having a nice bankroll so I could eventually be a full time player. Whatever your goals, there is more work as a dealer than as a bartender (which was my other choice) and James has the connections; He is the Yoda of Poker dealers. read more

If dealing poker/ table games is something you are looking into as a new career? Then Tony Shelton Dealing School is the best school in Las Vegas! It's a 6-8 week course & the head instructors name is James. You will learn dealer mechanics and all variations of poker from holdem, stud, Omaha, & draw games. What I liked most about the school is the fact that James keeps his classes small....so you actually get the proper & intimate training that you may need for some of the games.....especially if you don't have prior knowledge of the game! James has over 35 years of experience in casino/poker/poker dealing so there's nothing James hasn't seen nor experienced himself. Another great thing about the school is when the WSOP comes around in May, James will set all of his newly graduated dealers up for an audition! TSDS has the highest number of hirings by the WSOP for new graduates.....James teaches the proper way to deal. The final reason I would suggest going to TSDS is due to the fact everyone is close like family.....James doesn't have to but he does let his graduated students come back to visit & refresh their skills if needed! James is a good man & instructor with a abundance of knowledge in the casino/ poker industry. I'm also a poker fan/player who thinks of himself as a knowledgeable player but I have to admit.....after going & graduating from school.....& just talking to James about poker....I am a better player also! Thanx James! read more