Job applicants double-down for their next paycheck

BLACK HAWK - It's 11 a.m. on Tuesday morning and dozens crowd around a handful of blackjack tables and one craps table.

"It's do or die, I guess," said Nancy Chinda in the dealer position.

Chinda and several others are playing a high stakes game, where the winner gets a job. It's important to Chinda because she lost her's last year.

"I got laid off in November," she said.

Chinda worked in real estate marketing, and like all of those at her table, decided to try her hand at dealing after the economy tanked.

The opportunity came last month when Golden Casino Group hosted a job fair to fill 50 to 60 positions within its company come July when the limits increase along with the number of games offered. More than 1,200 applicants showed up and 150 got a call back to participate in the company's dealer training program.

"It's surprising how everybody came together in this one thing trying to do this, it's fun," said Chinda.

Chinda has experience playing blackjack, but being on the other side of the table takes a whole new skill set.

General Manager for Golden Casino Group Jef Bauer says they're looking for people with a good personality who can be trained.

"It does take a lot of dexterity," he said.

"It's also important to be able to count and add," Bauer added.

Chinda hopes she'll be among those the casino decides to hire on after the training. Her unemployment benefits end in a couple of months, which is why this is more than a game to her - playing her cards right, could add up to her next paycheck.

"Now it's up to me to give them the confidence in me that I can do the job," said Chinda.

Those selected for the dealer jobs will work at Golden Mardi Gras Casino starting in July. Those not selected can use their new skills gained in the free training to apply for jobs at other casinos.