>>...does the presence of a shill negatively (or positively) affect my odds at the game?<>

It depends Larry. If you are a novice player getting into a game with one or two props/shills and the rest of the table is filled with fellow novice players, as a novice player, you gotta be lucky to win. Most Nevada card rooms have regular poker players that know what they're doing too. The only real advice I can give is educate yourself on the game. ...then learn to read people at the table, study the live game before you buy in to see if it is a loose or tight game.

Ask if there are props or shills playing at a table BEFORE you buy in if it is a concern! The poker room manager should be able to provide you with that info. They also should let you watch the game being played knowing which players are there on the payroll. Watch how they play.

Hope that helps!

Bob :-)