I work as croupier and model (5)
I believe the answer is:
ideal
'model' is the definition.
(ideal can mean model or perfect)
I don't understand how the rest of the clue works.
Can you help me to learn more?
(Other definitions for ideal that I've seen before include "Optimum" , "Best possible" , "To which one aspires" , "superb specimen" , "Dream" .)