What Does a Casino Pit Boss Do?

When you walk past the vibrant, loud table games in a major casino, your eyes are naturally drawn to the dealers flipping cards and the players stacking chips.

They are the ultimate referees, the primary customer service agents, and the absolute first line of defense against highly sophisticated cheating rings.

How the Pit Boss Controls the Floor

A single pit boss might simultaneously supervise four blackjack tables, a roulette wheel, and a craps table, constantly pacing back and forth between them.

Financially, the pit boss tracks the massive flow of money moving into and out of the metal drop boxes secured beneath every single table.

• The pit boss is the direct, immediate supervisor for all the dealers working within their designated pit
• They must constantly track the physical inventory of casino chips on every single table to prevent internal theft
• A pit boss has the absolute authority to immediately fire or remove a dealer who is making mathematical errors

The Security Role of the Pit Boss

While the “Eye in the Sky” cameras record everything, the pit boss is the casino‘s absolute first line of physical defense against professional thieves.

A pit boss possesses the unilateral, unquestionable authority to politely ask any player to immediately leave the table or exit the casino entirely.

Why You Should Befriend the Pit Boss

For the average, honest gambler, the most important function of the pit boss is their massive discretionary power to issue complimentary items (“comps”).

Because this tracking is done manually by a human being, a smart player will always attempt to be incredibly friendly and polite to the pit boss.

Next time you sit at a table, smile, hand them your card, and recognize the immense power held by the person in the sharp suit.