Dynamics of a Kill Pot

[ChicagoTroy]

How do you modify your game during a kill pot?

I occasionally play in a full kill $5-10 game, and I have noticed that the weak players seem to get weaker when you double the stakes, particularly when they're down. Consequently, I up my aggression against them. Loose players seem to play a little looser, perhaps trying to get back even with a big score.

I'm new to kill games, are there any general rules about them?

[casinogosain]

We play the same game - the full-kill $5/10 at Harrah's or Trump...

I have noticed a few things, that add up to my general approach to these pots:
- The player posting the kill blind tends to overdefend
- The weak players get weaker (echo your sentiment here)
- The LAGs get more so

Kill pots basically turn the volume up on the tendencies that most people already have...

I've found that position is the most important aspect of playing these pots. When in late position with a bunch of limpers, small pocket pairs and appropriate suited connecters go way up in value (I think).

Also, it will be rare that there are others that understand the proper pot odds - and they are more likely to incorrectly fold with the higher stakes than they are to incorrectly call.

-Ash
CasinoGosain (http://casinogosain.blogspot.com/)

[ChicagoTroy]

I agree 95% but wanted to see who else had the experience (BTW, Harrah's $5-10 never has had a kill AFAIK). The overdefense of the kill post, particularly from weak players, is terrific. The LAGs I've played against get looser, but weaken/tighten up a lot on the turn. I also seem to be more likely to see a flop for one bet, which opens up a few more marginal multiway hands up.

Always interested in meeting Chicago/Indiana 2+2ers. Kleinstadt and I will be there Friday, drop me a PM if you'll be around.

[Kurn, son of Mogh]

In a kill game your implied odds are reduced by 1 bb if winning this pot will initiate the kill.

In the kill games I've played (pot-size initiated), many times the 5/10 kill game is more like a 3-blind 10/20 game all the time. That was especially true when Mohegan had the 5/10 kill at $65 game. At Foxwoods, the kill is at $100, so there's more chance to drop below the kill theshhold.

[BarronVangorToth]

I've been playing the Foxwoods 5-10 kill as of late over the 10-20 and it's a bit more to my liking (and profitability). But, yes, any time anyone raises the kill, the kill seems to take it as "stealing" the kill, as kill hands usually have far fewer to the flop: in a non-kill hand, 6-8 is par for the course, considering no excessive raising; in a kill, there always seems to be a raise, and 3-4 is more like it. There also is usually more checkraising as people seem to, I don't know, want to CR for 40 vs. 20 on the turn or river.

It's a different animal but much of what has already been said I likewise agree with.

The best is the Kill-Button Combo -- two buttons, two red chips, and the best position ... what more do you want?

Barron Vangor Toth
www.BarronVangorToth.com (http://www.BarronVangorToth.com)