Props and Shills

There are special kinds of poker players who play in online poker rooms and also in casinos that are actually employees of the house. This is not as sketchy as it sounds, but it takes some explaining.

A prop gets paid a small amount by the house – this is often just enough to cover the amount that she has paid to the house in rake over the course of the session – but plays with her own money. His or her job is to help start up new games, keep shorthanded games going, and generally to move to wherever the floor wants her to play. A shill has the same responsibilities as a prop, but he gambles with the house's money. If you're planning on going in the poker rooms anyway, these are great gigs if you can get ‘em!