QUICK hands, a quicker mind and a killer smile not even Danny Ocean could mirror – a group of budding casino croupiers are proving there’s more to the role than people think.

As cards and chips are dealt at lightning speed and tables are spun with enthusiasm, it's bewildering that the trainees never once come close to breaking a sweat.

It’s a highly underestimated profession that requires an incredible amount of skill in everything from mathematics to dexterity.

And after six weeks of intensive training in an exclusive course offered by the luxurious Alea Casino on the Clydeside, which is part of Caesars Entertainment, four lucky students will take on the difficult role as they become fully qualified Las Vegas style croupiers.

Marianne Lund, from Coatbridge, is one of the lucky few who will complete her training today and is now counting down the days until she is able to get behind the famous tables.

The 22-year-old said: “I’ve worked in casinos on reception for the past four year, I had tried a normal nine to five job but I didn’t like it.

“I started here on the reception and when I heard about the training course I knew I wanted to do it.

“It was never a career I had thought about before but it has been a really great experience.

“It’s amazing how much we’ve all learned and now we’re at the end it’s great to be able to do something I couldn’t do before.

“When I first started I struggled because there is so much to learn – more than I had ever thought – but now I’ve picked up so many skills.”

And they have indeed picked up numerous new skills.

Each of the four budding croupiers must be a mathematical whizz and are required to know their multiplication's of 11, 13, 17 and even 35 without any hesitation – a thought that would make most of us shudder – as well as this, they must have superb dexterity skills, mastering the art of chip cutting and handling, which includes holding up to 20 chips in one hand.

One top of all that, they must be up to date on legislation, gambling codes and gaming rules all the while being customer service extraordinaires - an art indeed, which explains why the casino is so selective about who takes part in their unique training course.

Paul Rety, venue director of the Alea Casino, said: “The skill is so transferable, once they are up and running they can go anywhere in the world – they can go on cruise ships or over to America - so it really is an international job but there is a lot involved.

“We’re lucky here, we have got a lot of experienced gaming staff and business is good but it’s great to bring in fresh talent and identify people who really want to be in the business.

“They are constantly tested, they get tests everyday to keep them on the ball and not just on gaming but social responsibility and anti-money laundering and they have got to understand legislation.

“There’s an awful lot of homework.

“It’s fine to employ somebody who is technically good but it’s not what it’s about, people come here to enjoy themselves and you need people who are able to mirror that.

“We do have a strong discipline so they get taught about our Mission Vision and values too.”

It’s no surprise then that students Lorraine Donnelly,32, and 18-year-old Christopher Canning were surprised at the amount of work was involved in the programme and agree it wouldn’t have been possible without their “brilliant” teacher David McGrath, who has almost 30 years experience in the industry.

The 46-year-old said: “It’s a big difference, I’m used to doing the other side of things and dealing with customers.

“After 28 years, you build up your skill set but this goes back to basics for me too - it’s a big, big challenge.

“It’s very rewarding, I have seen them on their first day and now I get to see them on their last day it’s great.

“They’ll get their certificate and then we’re taking them out for dinner to celebrate.”

After today, the graduates will have to wait to receive their gaming license before taking their place behind the tables with real customers.

A daunting prospect perhaps but it’s a dream they have worked tirelessly to fill, giving up everything to devote the past six weeks to their dream career.

None more so than 18-year-old Siobhan Park who until recently was an undergraduate student studying maths.

The future croupier from East Kilbride said: “I felt this would be a better way to incorporate maths into my job.

“I had never even been in a casino before I came here and I had four weeks of my parents telling me that I would never make it because I wasn’t what they were looking for but now I’m here and it has been great.”

For any budding croupiers out there the advice from the group is unanimous, 'go for it - you won't look back'.