Two different types of poker are being dealt in Las Vegas at this time. They are seven card stud and Texas Hold ’em. Several more are being played around the U.S. such as Pineapple, stud and others. But they have not gained a foothold in Las Vegas. Poker in Las Vegas is immensely popular. Poker parlors are crowded almost around the clock. Poker tournaments are common. It is impossible at times to even get a seat at a poker table. Should the poker parlor not be as crowded as the room manager would like he can resort to a couple of ,completely legal, tactics. He can call on his shill to take a seat at the table. The shill starts a game by playing with the casinos money. Once the table is filled with sufficient numbers of players the shill leaves. Whatever money he won while playing he hre turns to the house. Then we have the proposition player. His also is to start a game. he plays with his own money, but receives a salary. If he wins he can keep his winnings. Needless to say, both of those player are very good at what they do, otherwise they would not be there.

Poker is unique amongst all the games played in a Las Vegas casino. The dealer has no involvement in the game other than dealing the cards and running a smooth table. He does not care who wins or loses. The house makes money by taking a so called “rake”. It is a certain amount the casino keeps out of every hand played to cover its expenses .

The problem with poker in Las Vegas, or anywhere else for that matter, if it even is a problem, to me it is, are the shady characters that populate the poker rooms. There are people who try to make a living by playing poker as an occupation. Sit down at a poker table and all others at that table are unknown to you. You do not know who is signalling who. You do not know how many at that table know one another and work together to take all you have. For that reason I do not play poker. I did a couple of times and found out right away what was happening. I was sitting at a low ante table. Each time the other person would put a huge bet on his opening hand. After about three hands I knew what was going on. I figured it was impossible to get a good hand each time. I cashed out and left.