Shills in Casino - the ‘paid’ actors

[Rahul P Gopal]

Honestly, I never knew about this term until recently. I read online that, casinos have paid actors namely ‘Shill’ to ensure the tables look alive.

With my limited experience, I never spotted one till now. Wondering if any one of you have encountered one? If yes, how did that impact your time at the Casino?

 

[Rahul P Gopal]

For those of who are interested to read more about Shill, here is an interesting read:
http://www.poker-vibe.com/poker/terms/shill/

@Tammy: I am not sure if I am allowed to post external links here. If it’s against policy, please feel to remove it. Thanks

 

[gravii2011]

I saw streamers who advertised casinos, they were given money for the stream, they played and miraculously the slots played great, but this money cannot be withdrawn because it is bait for viewers that you can win a lot in this casino, and the streamer was paid separately for the stream)

 

[Rahul P Gopal]

I saw streamers who advertised casinos, they were given money for the stream, they played and miraculously the slots played great, but this money cannot be withdrawn because it is bait for viewers that you can win a lot in this casino, and the streamer was paid separately for the stream)

Interesting..

 

[TeUnit]

Think this was more common in the olden days and mostly online.

They used to offer 100% rakeback to be a shill and start tables and sngs.

 

[SPANKYSN]

Haven't seen a shill at a poker table since the mid 80s...most poker rooms don't need them...in fact, you sometimes wait over an hour to get a seat at a table. Before the poker boom (post 2003 Moneymaker win), poker rooms were relatively empty, so shills were needed to make the room look active. Back in the day, I sat at a table where the Poker Room Manager was seated...he was one of 5 players at the table. He was not interested in winning money for the house; he was trying to get more players. One hand, since I had already folded, he showed me that he folded pocket Jacks...now the game was 7 card stud...Texas Hold'em was not yet a popular poker room game...but pocket Jacks was a very strong hand, and he folded it...he wanted "paying customers" to win, to keep them playing longer. He did not affect the game.

 

[Rahul P Gopal]

Think this was more common in the olden days and mostly online.

They used to offer 100% rakeback to be a shill and start tables and sngs.

Good to know.
Also, do you know if online casinos have bots now a days?

 

[Rahul P Gopal]

Haven't seen a shill at a poker table since the mid 80s...most poker rooms don't need them...in fact, you sometimes wait over an hour to get a seat at a table. Before the poker boom (post 2003 Moneymaker win), poker rooms were relatively empty, so shills were needed to make the room look active. Back in the day, I sat at a table where the Poker Room Manager was seated...he was one of 5 players at the table. He was not interested in winning money for the house; he was trying to get more players. One hand, since I had already folded, he showed me that he folded pocket Jacks...now the game was 7 card stud...Texas Hold'em was not yet a popular poker room game...but pocket Jacks was a very strong hand, and he folded it...he wanted "paying customers" to win, to keep them playing longer. He did not affect the game.

Useful piece of information to know - thanks. No wonder why I have not seen any shills myself 😁..

 

[G0930]

Haven't encountered any .
Only thing I did see is when the cardcasino was more or less empty, sometimes the floorman chipped in to play for keeping at least one table alive

 

[Sunz of Beaches]

That's the first time I hear about so called Shills that go around in casinos. No have never met anyone like this but I very rarely go to casinos anyway.