What Does Shill Mean in Poker?
A shill in poker is a person who is paid to participate in a game with the purpose of keeping it active by ensuring there are enough players. They do not use their own money, and their winnings typically belong to the house or their employer.
When You Might Hear Or Use The Term Shill
Shills are often mentioned in discussions about casino operations or when organizing private games to maintain a full table.
In-Game Example
Imagine a casino poker room where a game is about to break due to a lack of players. The house brings in a shill to sit at the table, ensuring the game continues and attracting more players.
Strategy / Tips
- Best Practice: Understand that shills are there to maintain game flow; they should not affect your strategy directly.
- Common Mistake: Assuming shills play with the same risk as players using their own money.
- Pro Tips: Shills can be predictable as they often follow house instructions rather than personal strategy.
- Differences playing over the table vs online poker: Shills are more common in live casino settings than online poker rooms.
Alternative Names
“Prop player” is sometimes used interchangeably with shill, though prop players typically use their own money.
FAQs
Q: Are shills allowed in all poker games?
A: No, shills are typically only used in casino-controlled environments where their presence is sanctioned by the house.
Related Terms
- Prop Player
