Learn the Table

Deal the table

Train for your audition, then get booked. Play money only.

Deal a handSee the Dealer Path

Michigan dealers average $19.65 an hour with tips.

Half earn under $14.00. Pay changes by room, game and shift.

Zofia, an original Learn the Table character, watching the table

Dealer pay

U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, May 2025. Half earn under $14.00 an hour. Pay changes by room, game and shift.

Gambling dealers (job code 39-3011), Michigan. Tips are counted in.

Dealer Path

Start at the top. Tap a stop to see it.

  1. Start

Progress is saved on this device. Player side: Texas Hold'em Path.

The flow of a hand

What it is

One hand from the deal to the showdown: who acts, when, and what comes next.

Why it is here

A dealer runs the order of play. Know it cold first.

About 3 minutes

Play the round

Read the Showdown

What it is

The cards are face up. Slide the chips to the winner (dealers call it pushing the pot), then say the winning hand out loud.

Why it is here

Reading hands fast and right is the core of a dealer's job.

How we grade

Exact rules

Play Read the Showdown

Side pots

What it is

A player bets everything but has fewer chips than the others. One pot becomes two. Follow the chips to see who can win each one.

Why it is here

Dealers build side pots every shift. See how they work first.

About 4 minutes

Play the hand

House rules

What it is

The rulebooks most rooms start from, and the rules Michigan rooms post, in plain words.

Why it is here

A dealer enforces the house rules. Know where yours differ.

See the house rules

Odd chips

What it is

Two players tie and the chips don't split evenly. Split the pot, then give the extra chip to the seat the house rules name.

Why it is here

Chops happen every night. Get them right without stopping the game.

Soon

Build the pots

What it is

All-ins at different sizes. Build the main pot and each side pot, then pay them in order.

Why it is here

The hardest count at the table, practiced until it is easy.

Soon

Audition check

What it is

A short check on the reads and counts a dealer makes, before you audition.

Why it is here

Go in knowing what you know.

Soon

Get booked

Paid nights, Michigan first.

Your dealer profile

Your games, area and rate. Hosts send you requests.

Set it up

Deal our nights

First Table classes and play-money events. Paid per night, plus tips.

Sign up

Hosting a night? Book a dealer. Booked already? Your bookings.

Already dealing? Tell us what your room does differently. Send notes

House Rules

The rulebooks rooms build on, and what Michigan rooms post. Pick one.

Robert's Rules of Poker

Rulebook Cash games and tournaments

  • A free rulebook by Bob Ciaffone. Any room may adopt it, and many borrow from it.
  • Covers the showdown, ties and odd chips, side pots, misdeals and exposed cards.
  • Rooms that use it post their own changes on top.

Our summary, checked Oct 23, 2026. Rooms change rules, so the room's own sheet and the floor always win.

Read Robert's Rules of Poker (version 11)

Poker TDA Rules

Rulebook Tournaments, most rooms

  • The tournament standard from the Poker Tournament Directors Association. Updated in 2026.
  • Covers seating, the button, showing cards, chip races and how disputes get settled.
  • Rooms that use it often say so on their tournament sheets.

Our summary, checked Oct 23, 2026. Rooms change rules, so the room's own sheet and the floor always win.

Read the Poker TDA Rules

MGM Grand Detroit

House rules Poker room, Detroit

  • Buy in at the poker room cage.
  • Keep your cards in the dealer's view.
  • Protect your hand. If you don't and it gets fouled or collected, there is no recourse.
  • Big chips stay in view of the table.
  • Limit games cap at three raises.
  • You may show a card with action left only when two players remain. Never with three or more.
  • Point out mistakes right away. Once the next hand starts, the last one is closed.
  • A dollar goes to the promotion drop at $10, $20 and $60 in the pot, three dollars at most.
  • English only during play.

Our summary, checked Oct 23, 2026. Rooms change rules, so the room's own sheet and the floor always win.

See the poker room page and rules sheet

FireKeepers

House rules Poker room, Battle Creek

  • A rewards card is required for any game.
  • Tournaments: bring ID and your rewards card. Registration opens two hours before start.
  • Tournaments use the Poker TDA Rules.
  • Unlimited re-entries until registration closes.
  • Management can cancel or change events without notice.
  • The full poker room rules are not posted online. We are collecting them.

Our summary, checked Oct 23, 2026. Rooms change rules, so the room's own sheet and the floor always win.

See the poker room page and game guides

Soaring Eagle

Not posted Poker room, Mount Pleasant

  • The poker room rules are not posted online.
  • We are collecting them in person. Until then, ask the floor.

Our summary, checked Oct 23, 2026. Rooms change rules, so the room's own sheet and the floor always win.

See the poker room page

Other Michigan rooms

Not posted Tribal and Detroit rooms

  • No poker room rules posted online that we could find.
  • In Detroit, a casino has to give you printed rules for any live game if you ask (Mich. Admin. Code R 432.1809).
  • At a tribal casino, ask the poker room for the posted house rules.

Our summary, checked Oct 23, 2026. Rooms change rules, so the room's own sheet and the floor always win.

TDA rules used by permission of the Poker TDA, Copyright 2026, http://www.pokertda.com, All rights reserved.