LAS VEGAS (FOX5) -
The 2012 World Series of Poker is in full swing at the Rio All-Suites Resort and Hotel with the Main Event kicking off Friday.
The action, though, has been rolling non-stop since May 27, with the end not in sight until July 16.
With 125,000 square feet of gaming space and 470 poker tables, it's the biggest event schedule the WSOP has ever attempted. With the expanded schedule means many, many more jobs.
Last year, almost 1,000 dealers were hired for the WSOP. This year, that number was close to 1,300. With a 24-hour operation for eight weeks of nonstop gaming in a temporary space, it's obvious there's a lot to do.
"The one thing that you have to realize about the World Series of Poker is that it's a year round project," says Tournament Director Jack Effel. "It may be up and running for two months, but it takes year-round coordination and preparation with all the various departments."
The tournament events offered must be planned out. That's the same for the table layout, the cage design for player buy-ins and staffing. It all takes time and effort year-round.
"We had just under 1,000 dealers in 2011, and we had to bring in close to 1,300 to be able to cover these events this year," says Dealer Coordinator Kim Smith.
Smith says an expanded field has kept her busy recruiting dealers from around the world, making sure she had enough dealers.
A number of dealer managers report to Smith, who have to coordinate the exact tables that dealers need to report to at what time, provide their breaks and get them out on time. Needless to say, it's a stressful job that takes patience and a lot of walkie-talkies.
Copyright 2012 KVVU (KVVU Broadcasting Corporation). All rights reserved.
