Before starting my review, for anyone who wants to see a more well-rounded picture of what others think about this school, please see the Google and Facebook pages for "West Coast Dealing School". As of this writing, Google features 24 reviews and Facebook features 17; while Yelp only shows 4. Reading the additional reviews available will give you a more complete picture of the school then the reviews currently featured on Yelp. Here's my shortened review: I went from a complete beginner in poker to currently dealing at the Venetian, all thanks to West Coast Dealing School and it's head instructor Chris. Go to this school if you want to be one of the best poker dealers in the real world. It'll require effort and hard work but if you're willing to put in the hours, Chris will give you all of the tools and knowledge necessary to be a world class dealer. And for those who want more detailed information: Price: If price is the most important factor then there are cheaper programs out there and you should stop reading this. If instead, you care more about what you'll be learning, how you'll be learning it, and who you'll be learning it from, then it's hard to imagine a better school then West Coast Dealing with it's head instructor Chris. Location: The school is located just East of McCarran International Airport. There's ample parking available. If you have a car, getting to the school will be easy. The Course: This is one of the most comprehensive courses you can take in poker. You'll learn all three types of poker games, the different betting structures, and the two formats (Cash and Tournament). Equipment: This is something that is undervalued by most students but in Poker, the equipment that you study and practice with (the cards, chips, table markers, and the table themselves) all make a HUGE difference in the real-world. In other words, you don't want to learn how to deal poker on a fold up table with a blanket placed over it with plastic chips and paper cards. Chris has gone to great lengths to ensure that anything and everything that you'll touch as a poker dealer is as realistic as it gets. This way, when you leave school to audition for your first job, everything will translate from school to the real-world. There are four full-sized poker tables at the school (two tournament tables and two cash tables). You'll practice tournament rules at the tournament tables and cash rules at the cash tables. The cards are plastic (because nearly all poker rooms in the world use plastic cards). Even the play money that Chris uses are very realistic so that when you practice cash handling procedures, it'll feel like you're handling real cash. Other stuff: There's an open door policy for all current and graduated students. This means that if you ever want or need to stop by the school to practice for a future event/audition or ask questions you can come to the school. I think that's a ridiculously amazing perk for anyone who's living/working in Vegas. The Instructor: I think the most important factor is the person that you're learning from. A school could have everything else but if it doesn't have a great instructor then it has nothing. The head instructor at West Coast Dealing School is Chris and he's an amazing teacher. When I first looked at West Coast Dealing school, a review from a recent graduate who's originally from South Korea and "can't speak English very well" (her words, not mine) really stood out. Here's a snippet of her review: I cannot speak English very well. I am originally from South Korea. So I was worried that I would not understand, but Chris is so good at explaining he made it so I can understand and it was so much fun. She went on to pass both her WSOP and Planet Hollywood auditions and is now a professional dealer. Conclusion: Although I haven't personally been to other schools, now that I've auditioned and worked with other dealers, it seems that West Coast graduates are better prepared and consistently pass their auditions compared to other grads. I can only speak for myself but if it isn't clear by now, I would highly recommend Chris and West Coast Dealing School to anyone who'd like to pursue poker dealing as a new career. read more

Short Review: Incredibly satisfied with my decision to attend West Coast Dealing School (WCDS). Would happily have paid 2 or 3 times what I did for the knowledge I gained and the friendships/connections I made. Chris is a fantastic instructor who does a great job of getting the most out of each student. Long Review: I did quite a bit of research on poker dealing schools and after narrowing it down to 2 or 3 to visit in person I decided to stop by WCDS first....I didn't need to visit any others. The room at WCDS is bright, open and very inviting. The tables, chairs, chips, cards, etc are all top of the line and as nice, if not nicer, than what you will find in most casinos. Overall it's just a great environment to to learn in which is good since it takes a lot of time and hard work to finish the class. The curriculum is very detailed and very thorough. From learning the proper techniques of shuffling and dealing to learning the nuances of each of the various games and all the procedures for tournament and cash play you'll have plenty to keep you busy each day. I thought, having played poker for years and having dealt in house games back home, I would breeze through the class in less than the 100 required hours. I quickly learned that would not be the case. Most days I left mentally exhausted. As for the instructor, I don't know if you could find someone better to teach this material. Chris is friendly and has a great sense of humor. He is incredibly knowledgeable, has a great deal of integrity and is highly passionate about teaching people how to deal correctly. He is very good at finding and balancing the strengths, weaknesses, and egos of students both individually and at a group level. Having said that, he is also very matter of fact about what you can expect from the course. Like most things, you get out of this school what you put in and Chris will be the first one to let you know if you're expecting too much but not putting in the work. The thing I didn't expect from WCDS was the number of friends I would leave with. It is very much a family atmosphere and you become very close to the people you are learning with. Former students are always stopping by to lend a hand or freshen up for an audition and it's always gratifying to see a classmate or former student dealing in a poker room around town. As mentioned in my short review, the value I got from from this experience is worth far more than what Chris charges and I am incredibly happy with my decision to attend WCDS. read more

West Coast Dealer School (WCDS) is hands down the best place to learn and excel in the world of poker dealing. Chris who is the owner/instructor is highly knowledgeable in all aspects of poker dealing. He has created a supportive and engaging learning environment that covers all aspects of dealing for both cash games and tournaments. Before I enrolled in the class, I spoke with several people in the industry and WCDS came highly recommended. In fact I was told that graduates of WCDS will have no issue finding work, as they are considered the preferred poker dealing school by all poker rooms in Las Vegas. I was impressed by the school's comprehensive curriculum, which covers all aspects of poker dealing, from NL Texas Hold Em, Omaha, Stud and draw games. Chris takes the time to ensure that every student understands the rules, strategies, and etiquette required to become a top-notch dealer. What really stood out to me was the emphasis on practical training. WCDS provides plenty of hands-on practice, allowing students to gain confidence and refine their skills in a real poker room setting. The support provided extends beyond the classroom. The school offers job placement assistance, helping graduates secure employment in reputable casinos.Additionally they assist with building your resume and interview/audition preparation to ensure you are fully prepared. Even after you graduate, WCDS is always open and available should you need to brush up on any skills, practice or discuss any situations you might have encountered while dealing. I can confidently say that attending WCDS was a game-changer for me. The knowledge and skills I gained have opened up new career opportunities. If you're looking to kick-start your career as a poker dealer, I highly recommend WCDS. They are the epitome of excellence and professionalism." You will really enjoy Chris's teaching methods and the environment he has created. read more

If I am being completely honest, I must say that my time spent at West Coast Dealing School was truly a life changing experience. Hands down, working with Chris Tidmarsh gave me the right amount of confidence I needed to deal at the top of my game, which I was able to showcase at my first poker dealer audition yesterday at The Excalibur Hotel & Casino here in Las Vegas. The instruction space at West Coast Dealing School is meticulously well kept. The tables are beautiful and well constructed. The cards, chips and play money used to teach and practice with replicate exactly what is found at casino properties on the Vegas Strip. There is always complimentary fresh coffee, a variety of canned sodas and bottled water that Chris makes available to all his students. The atmosphere is never hostile and always fun, which creates an amazing environment to be in, because as I've learned, there is a large amount of proficiency and craftsmanship needed to become a high-caliber professional card room dealer. If one does decide to make the choice to get into the poker dealing industry here in Las Vegas (or anywhere else for that matter), West Coast Dealing School is the only place to be. There simply is no other option. There literally is no other school in town that comes close to teaching Chris Tidmarsh's unique style of careful and considerate poker etiquette, rules & techniques. I highly recommend this school to any and all that are interested. read more

I completed over 150 hours of training at West Coast Dealer School and can confidently say it exceeded my expectations. The program is self-paced, but it's highly structured. There's a clear progression that builds real competence -- not just mechanics, but professional dealing habits. You're trained to think like a dealer, not just memorize procedures. The curriculum covers both tournament and cash game dealing, with strong emphasis on chip handling, pot control, and game flow. And it's not limited to just NLHE and PLO. You're exposed to stud variants, draw games, split-pot formats, mixed games -- the full spectrum. That breadth matters in a competitive market. What really stood out is that Chris doesn't graduate students until they are audition-ready. There's a real standard. Accuracy, composure, speed, and professionalism are expected -- which is exactly what poker rooms look for. Another major plus: graduates are welcome to continue coming back to practice and sharpen their skills. That ongoing access says a lot about the culture of the school and the commitment to long-term success. When I stepped into a live audition, it felt familiar rather than overwhelming -- and that preparation made all the difference. If you're serious about breaking into the Las Vegas poker scene and want more than just a certificate, this is the place. Highly recommend. read more

West Coast Dealing School is an incredible experience. From the thorough, expert instruction, to the comfortable learning environment, to the ample covered parking, Chris and G make the entire process easy and sometimes entertaining. Their insight into the poker dealing world is eerily spot-on. A recommendation from a manager at one of the prestigious rooms in town brought me to this school. My only background was occasionally playing video poker and watching poker, late at night, on TV. The course is set up so well that you literally just have to show up and pay attention. Their is ample time for both learning and practicing the skills of becoming a professional Poker Dealer. Just days after receiving my certificate, I was dealing in the World Series of Poker (WSOP). In my first week, I had paid for the course. Two days after the completion of the WSOP, I was dealing at one of the hottest rooms in town and am currently there enjoying it. While attending the school, you will see many past students (current professional Dealers) show up to class. Whether they are there for a refreshment, to practice certain games, to assist the current students or just dropping in to say hi - it is a testament to the integrity of the experience Chris has created at West Coast Dealing School. read more

If you're looking to become a professional poker dealer, West Coast Dealing School is the best choice. Here are four reasons to choose this school: 1 - WCDS only teaches poker dealing, so all your time is focused solely on learning the proper procedures of being a poker dealer. 2 - Chris Tidmarsh is an amazing teacher. Chris takes time to explain and demonstrate how to do things properly. He is so patient when you ask questions and if you don't understand something, he will go out of his way to explain it in different ways until you get it. 3 - The school has two tournament tables and two cash tables equipped with money drops and table banks so you can practice taking rake, making change out of the bank, getting fills, etc. The chips and play money are excellent quality which makes it as real as possible while you're learning. 4 - Even after you graduate and have your certificate, Chris allows you to go back to continue practicing - either until you get a job or if you want to go back to practice a certain style, etc. As long as Chris has room, you can always go back. Honestly, for this reason alone, I think WCDS is the only choice. If you're doing research on different dealing schools - look no further. WCDS is worth every penny and then some! read more

Attending West Coast Dealing School was one of the best decisions I've made for my career in the casino industry. From day one, the staff was welcoming, knowledgeable, and clearly passionate about what they do. The instructors are experienced professionals who not only teach the mechanics of poker dealing but also emphasize the importance of game integrity, customer service, and confidence at the table. What really sets this school apart is its hands-on training approach. You're not just reading from a manual, you're dealing real games, learning the game flow, and getting constant feedback to help you improve. They cover the whole range of poker games, and the instructors are patient, supportive, and genuinely committed to helping every student succeed. By the time I completed the course, I felt fully prepared to step into a live poker room with confidence. The school also provided guidance on auditions and job placement, which was a huge bonus. If you're serious about becoming a poker dealer and want top quality training from people who truly care, I highly recommend West Coast Dealing School. read more

Moving to Nevada was not easy. Choosing West Coast Dealing School was one of the best decisions my husband and I made. Chris has integrity, knowledge, experience and great equipment. He genuinely wants his students to succeed and this became quickly apparent through his detailed and thorough teaching methods. Upon graduation, all of his students were able to audition for the WSOP. Because of his class, I and many others were well prepared to deal the various poker games in Limit, No-Limit and Pot-Limit formats at the WSOP and as we started our poker dealing careers. Thank you Chris for your integrity, genuineness, for always welcoming us to come back to West Coast Dealing School. Also, thank you to our other instructor G, a graduate of West Coast, who also made this school a great place to learn and apply so that all students become successful poker dealers. And also thank you to previous graduates who came to class to help us out as well. This is what makes West Coast Dealing School the best school ever. It really is like having a second family. read more

This school is amazing. I retired as a teacher and wanted to deal poker as a part time gig. I did some research and found WCDS. The owner Chris was very polite and was very honest with all the detailed information. After stopping in and talking with him, I knew this was the school that I wanted to attend. I started the next day and what a blast I had learning all the poker games and learning how to deal properly. The instruction was first class and if you needed anything all you had to do is ask Chris or G and they were on top of it. If anyone has an interest of dealing poker I highly recommend that you contact Chris at WCDS and I know you will receive first class instruction as I did. This school prepared me to deal any of the poker games that are out there and I feel confident that I can go out and do this. The facilities are first class as well with 5 regulation tables to deal tournaments and cash. Call them or stop in today and start your new career! read more

Chris is one of the best instructors I have had the pleasure of working with, in any capacity. He was very accommodating to our needs and revised his curriculum to suite our timeline. Each day he met us with great enthusiasm, had a detailed plan of what to accomplish, and stayed as long as needed to complete. The location and room set up was perfect. He has 4 tables, plenty of room to stretch out, comfy chairs, high quality chips/cards, a small break area and its located in a nice part of town. Chris has tremendous patience with all students but maintains a high level of requisition to ensure you are ready for the "real world" once you complete the course. I could not be happier with the training myself and team received, it was the best investment we could make in ourselves. Well worth the money, the experience and education vastly exceeded all of my expectations heading in. read more

When I made the decision to become a poker dealer I called around different schools and ultimately chose West Coast Dealing School as soon as I dropped in to see the school. In West Coast you will learn how to deal all the poker games and every game played at the World Series of Poker. I was working a full time job and would come to West Coast part time until I was able to pass my audition. I got the highest score on my table at The World Series of Poker audition! I am very thankful I chose West Coast Dealing School, my skills showed during the audition and I had no problems at all during the World Series! Chris and West Coast will prepare you very well. Also, they do have a payment plan for those that cannot afford to pay in full. If you are thinking about become a dealer stop by the school and check it out!! You will not be disappointed!!! read more

I did quite a bit of research before deciding on Chris and his West Coast Dealing School and would suggest to anyone to do the same. Call these places and ask questions. Choosing his school was a great decision for me. When you get to the point of doing auditions, you're going to be nervous for sure. The skills and attention to detail Chris provides makes a huge difference. There's no replacement for being prepared correctly. He makes sure everyone is prepared before they complete the program. We all start from a different place and learn in different ways. Chris is great at finding what works for each individual. The school provides a fun, family, team feeling to learn in that makes it a place you want to keep coming back to. Thanks Chris, G, and all my classmates for all the help along the way. Best of luck to you all! Jeremy LeLacheur read more

Attention All Aspiring Poker Dealers!! Whether you are a total newbie who knows nothing of the game, an experienced home game dealer(like I am), or a seasoned warrior of the felt who wants to pursue a career as a professional poker dealer West Coast Dealing School is the place you want to do your training! It's not just Texas Hold'em here - you will learn close to 30 variants! No where else will you get so thorough - Chris Tidmarsh will teach you the ins and outs to run a professional game confidently, in a manner that is easy and comfortable. You will be pushed to your best potential here! After completing the course, I have secured employment with the WSOP and Orleans casino and attribute my success with my education at WCDS. Looking forward to a rewarding career as a poker dealer, THANKS CHRIS! read more

I couldn't be happier with the fact that I choose this school over others. Chris has a ton of knowledge of all the variants that are needed to work the WSOP and anywhere else in town. He also does a great job of creating an environment where everyone is willing to help each other. Many past graduates are at the school on a daily basis helping out. At West Coast Chris teaches the ins and outs of Tournament and Cash games, assuring you will be ready to run your table correctly in either format. I couldn't thank Chris enough for the knowledge and skills he has provided me to begin this journey as a Professional Poker Dealer and I plan to be around WCDS as often as possible! read more

The instructor, Chris Tidmarsh knows poker inside and out. He teaches all the games you need to know to be a professional dealer. He has a great feel for people, and knows when to push the throttle or slow things down for you. There are dozens of little details and nuances that he'll teach you to make your job as a dealer easier, as well as impress when you audition for work. After a few short weeks I was able to get hired at Planet Hollywood's summer Goliath Phamous Poker series without an audition. Amazing, right? I highly recommend the school. Great location, beautiful tables/classroom, with an instructor that wants nothing more than you to succeed as a dealer. read more

If you're serious about dealing poker then there is no better place than West Coast Dealing School. Chris's tailor-made approach to first assessing your skills then teaching you everything you need to know about dealing is an experience you will rank among the best of your entire professional life. I HIGHLY recommend this place and one call to Chris, on your part, will make you feel very comfortable with your choice. There are other schools in the country but only this one will give you not only the necessary knowledge but also the recognition among casinos and poker rooms around the country. One of the best investments you will ever make! read more

The owner and instructors here are super knowledgeable, friendly and experienced in not only how to deal the many different variations of poker games, but also has the patience and skills to teach them. They are very precise and detailed in all aspects of becoming a great dealer. Also, the school is full of students that are awesome because we learn from each other different level and knowledge. Place is spacious and in a safe and professional environment. But in the end, it's what you put into it that counts. You can just pace yourself here with no pressure. This school is well worth the money, time, and effort. read more

Chris at West Coast Dealing School was phenomenal! I spent time at West Coast learning how to deal correctly and how to set up and run tournaments and cash games. Chris was very patient and explained everything fully. He was extremely positive and consistent! It helped a lot that Chris explained the reasons behind each thing that we were learning. He gave time to practice what was learned. It was beneficial that other students would help with the practice. If you are looking for a school that will get you ready for a career in dealing, West Coast is the school for you! read more