WPT Launches First Dealer Certification Program in Thailand
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The poker boom in Southeast Asia just took a giant leap forward.
From May 20–24, 2025, the Thai Ministry of Tourism and Sports, in collaboration with the WPT Tournament Committee, hosted the country’s first-ever Professional Dealer Certification Training Program. The five-day initiative was designed to elevate Thailand’s poker industry through world-class dealer education.
Held in Bangkok, the inaugural session welcomed 100 aspiring dealers and implemented a dual-mentor system led by a team of international tournament directors and seasoned local experts. The program blended classroom theory with hands-on table training, delivering a comprehensive introduction to the demands of professional poker dealing.
Breaking Down the Program
The curriculum was divided into three core modules:
- Fundamental Skills Training – Covering poker-specific knowledge, standardized shuffling techniques, and game flow essentials.
- Exhibition Management – Equipping trainees with the tools to manage table disputes, enforce rules, and maintain professionalism in live settings.
- Chip and Time Management – Focusing on pot calculation, blind structures, level transitions, and tournament rhythm.
Each trainee completed both written and practical evaluations, assessed by members of the WPT’s international floor staff. Those who passed earned priority placement in the official WPT dealer talent pool, opening the door to dealing at high-profile events across Thailand and the region.
Strategic Partnership for Long-Term Growth
More than just a short-term initiative, the dealer training forms a central part of a broader, government-supported strategy to build a sustainable ecosystem around mind sports in Thailand.
In partnership with the WPT, the Ministry of Tourism and Sports has launched the Local Mind Sports Talent Development Program, aimed at cultivating homegrown talent in key operational roles such as dealers and event staff. The goal: to create a long-term talent pipeline that supports the country’s growing slate of international poker events — and eventually, major events across Southeast Asia.
As the countdown continues to the upcoming WPT Prime Thailand event, this investment in human capital is laying the foundation for a more professional, organized, and vibrant poker scene in the region.
