Hypothetical New Rule
 

What if in limit hold'em, the two burn cards constituted the "pot" hand? Here is how it would come into play...

If there is a showdown, then the pot-hand is shown down along with the rest of the showdown hands. If it wins, then the winner only wins 1/2 the pot, and the other half remains for the next pot. If no showdown, then the "pot" hand does not play.

2 questions:

1) Would this increase action, because every once in a while, there'd be a "kill" pot?

2) How would strategy change in this new game, if at all?

-RMJ

Re: Hypothetical New Rule
 

Well, at a high level, I don't think your strategy would change too much if you're already basing many of your decisions on pot size. When the pot hand wins, you'd want to loosen up a bit in the next hand since you'll be getting good return on a larger variety of hands. Drawing hands would go up in value, offsuit hands down. Action would increase.

Play against the "pot" hand seems trivial as it's just a random hand and isn't betting itself.

Re: Hypothetical New Rule
 

Another area where strategy change might be warranted is on the river...

You know the saying, "Don't bet when only a better hand will call you." If there's a pot hand, there might now be some value in betting, precisely because you want the opponent to fold, to reduce the random chance that the pot hand beats you.

-RMJ

Re: Hypothetical New Rule
 

That's a very interesting idea, RocketManJames. I'd imagine it would cause you to play tighter when there isn't a kill pot, since you're equity is going to be lower at showdown, especially with a weak made hand.

Re: Hypothetical New Rule
 

It would probably make heads up "pre-pot" battles either -ev or significantly lower ev. Think about it. You're betting and raising your way to the river against one opponent and, when you show down against him, you suddenly find you're only winning half the pot. In other words, you're getting your own money back (minus the rake, of course). The money you fought so hard to win is still sitting in the center waiting for someone else to claim it.