How does a Kill game work?

[Pov]

I'm a reasonably knowledgeable player, but most of my experience comes from online play and home games. I've been considering more casino action lately and I've heard of kill games, but would like to know more about them before possibly finding myself IN one.

So I've picked up that basically while the kill is "on" all the limits are doubled which I guess doesn't really make much difference theoretically other than I may want to buy in for more than usual, but what turns the kill off and on and are there any other rules / adjustments I would need to know?

Thanks in advance.

[niin]

A kill starts when the same person wins two hands (over a certain amount) in a row. I believe it only lasts for that hand, unless that person wins the kill hand, but I'm not certain on that. Also, some casinos allow the 'killer' to declare if the hand will be played as a kill hand or not, if a kill hand is possible.

I've never played in a kill game; just what I've gathered from other discussions.

[Rudbaeck]

Exact conditions vary somewhat. But usually it's either
1) Pot is over 10BB (or some other figure)
2) Same person wins two pots in a row, there must have been a flop in both pots.

Kill continues as long as the condition keeps being met.

[Argus]

A kill game usually works like this (at least at my B&M). If someone wins two pots in a row, the kill is on. The limits are doubled, but the blinds are unchanged. The person who made the kill has to post a blind small bet and play is as normal. If that same person wins again the kill is still on; the limits are still doubled and they have to post again. If it's folded to the blinds the hand isn't counted for a kill at the B&M I frequent since we chop it, but the last winner keeps the kill button.

[Pov]

Your responses are all very appreciated. If anyone else wants to continue to refine or add-on, please do.

[SheridanCat]

Only a couple more points.

1) Hold'em kills have been illustrated by other posters. If you find yourself in an Omaha/8 game with a kill, the kill is usually triggered by one player scooping a pot over a certain amount. That amount is usually listed somewhere or you can ask the dealer.

2) In most places I've played, the killer acts in turn. Some places, the killer always acts last. Again, ask the rules for the kill when seated.

3) I think UltimateBet has kill games. At least they used to.

4) I never buy in extra just because there is a kill in the game. Not that it matters if you do.

5) The kill is supposed to induced action, and it does. People love big pots.

Hmm, that's more than a couple points.

Regards,

T

[AKQJ10]

Good explanations above.

[EDIT: props to Sheridan for beating me to the O8 explanation.... /images/graemlins/smile.gif]

Extra note for Omaha 8/b, and presumably other high-low games: The winner usually has to scoop (win botha pot to trigger a kill. In some casinos a scoop itself is sufficient, I believe, while in others there may also be a pot qualifier, not sure.


I've seen people ask to be dealt out of all kill hands, presumably because they're not bankrolled to play the higher limit. I haven't really heard anyone on here address the kill's effect on one's bankroll but in my experience it can be substantial.

Also, my understanding is that a kill tends to slightly penalize someone who plays to win bigger pots in preference to winning more pots, i.e. who plays correctly. The problem is that your EV for winning a good pot is reduced by some fraction of the kill, because you're forced to post some of your winnings. You get to use it as a live blind, but it's money you have no control over so it's still a negative modification to your EV. I think I got that idea from Carson or Jones or someone like that, long before i had ever seen a kill in live action.

However, like bad beat jackpots, my guess is kills probably do more to help those of us who want to be good players by attracting gamblers than they do to hurt us.

[SheridanCat]

Good point about bankroll impact. If you're under-bankrolled for the kill limit or you're uncomfortable with the new limit, it's probably best to play tighter than normal. If the gamblers are going at it in the kill points, you're likely to see more suckout hands - which can be frustrating.

Regards,

T