Unit of competency details

Unit descriptor 

This unit describes the performance outcomes, skills and knowledge required to deal the game of Blackjack in a licensed casino. It requires the ability to sort, inspect and shuffle cards, deal the game, accept wagers and pay out winnings according to enterprise-specific procedures and approved rules of the game.

It does not cover the general operational activities required to operate any type of table game, such as setting up and closing down the table, handling chips effectively, reconciling the chip float and monitoring the game for irregularities and suspicious play. These activities are covered within the co-requisite unit SITHGAM007A Operate table games.

Those developing training to support this unit must consult the relevant state or territory gaming regulatory authority to determine accreditation arrangements for training organisations, courses and trainers and assessors.

Under some state or territory legislation, personnel who conduct table games within a licensed casino are required to hold an individual or occupational gaming licence. They are also required to achieve competence in the units which cover the conduct of the particular table games that they operate. This is one of a suite of units that may have to be achieved to comply with their occupational licence.

Application of the unit 

This unit covers the day-to-day operation of a specific table game operated in the gaming area of licensed casinos. The game of Blackjack must be dealt according to approved rules of the game. These rules and organisational procedures are determined by the casino and approved by the state or territory regulatory authority responsible for licensing the casino.

This unit applies to frontline operational gambling personnel, known as dealers, who operate with a limited level of autonomy, under some supervision and guidance from others and within predefined procedures and rules. This unit could also apply to casino personnel who supervise the operation of table games, such as the pit boss and pit manager.

Prerequisite units 

Nil

Employability skills 

The required outcomes described in this unit of competency contain applicable facets of employability skills. The Employability Skills Summary of the qualification in which this unit is packaged will assist in identifying employability skills requirements.

Elements describe the essential outcomes of a unit of competency.

Performance criteria describe the required performance needed to demonstrate achievement of the element. Where bold italicised  text is used, further information is detailed in the required skills and knowledge and/or the range statement. Assessment of performance is to be consistent with the evidence guide.

ELEMENT 

PERFORMANCE CRITERIA 

1

Shuffle and cut cards for the game of Blackjack.

1.1

Check that specific equipment  required and approved to operate the game of Blackjack is correctly positioned on the table.

1.2

Sort, inspect and introduce cards into the game according to approved rules of the game.

1.3

Shuffle cards according to approved rules for the game of Blackjack and variations to Blackjack shuffles .

1.4

Cut cards according to approved rules of the game.

2

Deal the game of Blackjack.

2.1

Make verbal announcements using terms commonly used in Blackjack and use hand signals according to approved rules of the game.

2.2

Deal cards according to approved rules for the game of Blackjack and variations to Blackjack .

2.3

Deal game accurately and at appropriate pace to meet enterprise standards for the conduct of the game.

3

Accept wagers and pay winnings.

3.1

Accept or refuse permitted wagers according to enterprise procedures and variations to Blackjack wagers .

3.2

Determine winning and losing wagers within the rules of the game.

3.3

Pay winnings to the player and witness them according to enterprise procedures.

3.4

Conduct all financial transactions  throughout the operation of the game in compliance with enterprise procedures.

REQUIRED SKILLS AND KNOWLEDGE 

This section describes the essential skills and knowledge and their level, required for this unit.

The following skills must be assessed as part of this unit:

• ability to sort, shuffle, cut and deal cards efficiently
• ability to operate equipment used to assist in sorting and shuffling cards
• literacy skills to read and interpret organisational procedures, approved rules and permitted variations; read signage associated with the operation of the game of Blackjack; and read and complete documents associated with financial transactions
• verbal communication skills to make clear gaming announcements
• high level numeracy skills to count the dealing of cards and calculate a variety of often complex wagers, winnings and other financial transactions, including the purchase of chips.

The following knowledge must be assessed as part of this unit:

• in-depth knowledge of the specific equipment used to operate a game of Blackjack
• full range of terms commonly used in the game of Blackjack
• in-depth knowledge of the standard approved rules for the game of Blackjack
• in-depth knowledge of permitted variations to the rules for the game of Blackjack
• specific enterprise procedures and approved rules for:

• operating the game of Blackjack
• accepting wagers
• refusing wagers
• paying winnings
• conducting financial transactions

• specific enterprise standards for game pace and accuracy.

EVIDENCE GUIDE 

The evidence guide provides advice on assessment and must be read in conjunction with the performance criteria, required skills and knowledge, the range statement and the Assessment Guidelines for this Training Package.

Critical aspects for assessment and evidence required to demonstrate competency in this unit 

Evidence of the following is essential:

• ability to sort, inspect and shuffle cards, deal Blackjack games, accept wagers and pay out winnings according to enterprise-specific procedures and approved rules of the game
• knowledge of the rules of Blackjack, permitted variations and enterprise-specific procedures
• operation of the game of Blackjack on multiple occasions to ensure consistent, accurate and efficient application of the rules when dealing the game and determining winning and losing wagers
• accurate processing of a variety of wagers and the integration and management of multiple transactions and activities within typical workplace time constraints.

Context of and specific resources for assessment 

Assessment must ensure:

• operation of Blackjack games within a fully equipped table gaming environment using gaming tables, associated Blackjack equipment, gaming chips and cash
• use of documentation that relates to processing financial transactions
• access to current enterprise procedures, approved rules and permitted variations for the operation of the game of Blackjack
• interaction with table games supervisors
• interaction with customer groups of a size and nature that reflect the commercial casino environment in which Blackjack games are operated.

Methods of assessment 

A range of assessment methods should be used to assess the practical skills and knowledge required to deal Blackjack games. The following examples are appropriate for this unit:

• direct observation of the candidate dealing the game, accepting wagers, paying winnings and processing other financial transactions
• oral or written exercises to test ability to process a variety of wagers consistently and accurately
• evaluation of financial documentation completed by the candidate
• role-plays to demonstrate the verbal announcements and hand signals required for operating Blackjack games
• written and oral questioning or interview to test knowledge of enterprise procedures and approved Blackjack rules and permitted variations
• review of portfolios of evidence and third-party workplace reports of on-the-job performance by the candidate.

Holistic assessment with other units relevant to the industry sector, workplace and job role is recommended, for example:

SITHGAM006A Provide responsible gambling services (in some states or territories the regulatory authority mandates the achievement of this unit for personnel operating table games)

SITXCOM001A Work with colleagues and customers

SITXFIN001A Process financial transactions.

Assessing employability skills 

Employability skills are integral to effective performance in the workplace and are broadly consistent across industry sectors. How these skills are applied varies between occupations and qualifications due to the different work functions and contexts.

Employability skills embedded in this unit should be assessed holistically with other relevant units that make up the skill set or qualification and in the context of the job role.

RANGE STATEMENT 

The range statement relates to the unit of competency as a whole. It allows for different work environments and situations that may affect performance. Bold italicised wording in the performance criteria is detailed below.

Specific equipment  to operate Blackjack may include:

• card discard rack
• card shoe or dealing device
• cards
• cutting cards
• shuffling machine
• signage, including limits, advice to players and notification of table closure.

Variations to Blackjack shuffles  may involve:

• variations to standard Blackjack shuffles as approved by the state or territory regulatory authority.

Variations to Blackjack  may involve:

• variations to standard Blackjack rules as approved by the state or territory regulatory authority
• variations to the name of the game as approved by the state or territory regulatory authority.

Variations to Blackjack wagers  may include:

• variations to standard Blackjack wagers as approved by the state or territory regulatory authority.

Financial transactions  may involve:

• cash changes, such as purchase of chips at the table
• colour changes
• winning wagers
• losing wagers
• jackpot wagers
• opening documentation
• closing documentation
• chip purchase vouchers
• fills
• credits
• promotional tokens.

Sector 

Hospitality

Co-requisite units 

Assessment with the following co-requisite unit of competency, unless previously completed, is required:

SITHGAM007A Operate table games.