Kill It!

Lately I've been playing a lot of Omaha eight-or-better in Las Vegas. One common feature of Omahagames in Vegas is that a kill is used. People observing the game may be confused by the presence of the red "kill button" on the table, and by the fact that two different betting limits are being used, but it's actually quite simple.

A player gets the kill button anytime he scoops a pot. In some games, there must be a certain amount of money in the pot (for example, $250 in a $20-$40 game). The "killer" must then post an extra blind on the kill button, which plays during the next hand. In most games, the player with the kill button acts in turn, although in some cardrooms he gets last action before the flop.

Typically, killed pots are played for higher stakes. For example, in a $20-$40 game, the "killer" posts $30 and the stakes for that particular hand are $30-$60. Following that hand, the limits are once again $20-$40, unless another kill pot occurs, in which case another $30-$60 hand is played. The small and big blind amounts do not change, regardless of whether it is a kill pot.

Contrary to popular belief, the reason for playing with a kill is not to confuse the heck out of new players. Rather, the assumption is that the presence of a third blind will help promote action in the game, adding some excitement and generating bigger pots. Over the years, I have heard both sides of the argument about whether playing with a kill helps the game. However, that is not something I'm going to get into in this column, although perhaps I'll write about my opinions in a future column. What I do wish to discuss are some of the key strategic adjustments that should be made when playing in a kill game.

First, in kill pots, recognize that it is now more expensive to see the flop. Even if the pot has not been raised, you will have to call an additional portion of a bet to see the flop from either the small or big blind. In most cases, it is correct to toss in the additional amount when you're in the big blind (the main exception would be when you hold trips in your hand, although I would tend to call the extra amount with something like 2-2-2- 3). However, you must fold more hands from the small blind in kill pots because you typically have only about one-third of a bet invested. Completing the bet from the small blind requires a hand that is ordinarily playable for the full bet size. Remember, you are at a positional disadvantage, too, so it is fine to fold your small blind most of the time in a kill pot.

When you are holding the kill button and someone has raised in front of you, you must decide whether to defend your blind. Although the kill is essentially the same as a blind hand, it plays somewhat differently because of position. There are times when you may be posting the kill on or near the button, positions that add value to your holding, no matter how ugly it appears. This doesn't grant you carte blanche to call with anything, but it certainly does expand the range of hands with which you might defend your kill. For example, if the first player to act opens the pot for a raise and you are next, holding a weak hand such as 2-4-6-8 or 8-10-Q-K, you clearly should fold. This is due to a combination of factors, most notable of which are the possibility that the pot may be reraised behind you and the fact that your post-flop position will likely not be very advantageous. However, if you were holding either of these two hands on the button, it would be correct to defend your kill by calling a single raise to see the flop, against either a few or several players.

Kill pots provide many situations in which making it three bets before the flop is the preferred strategy. For one thing, the presence of the extra blind puts more money in the pot initially. If a reraise will narrow the field, it means more "dead money" is in the middle for you and your remaining opponent(s) to fight over. Because a limit increase typically accompanies a kill pot, it becomes quite expensive to enter a pot for three bets. Even the most die-hard gamblers may sit it out when faced with calling such a hefty reraise. You can use this to your advantage by reraising with any hand that plays well in a shorthanded situation, knowing that it will be more difficult than normal for opponents to call. Hands such as A-A-X-X or A-3-5-K are good candidates (basically, hands with both high and low potential). It is of particular importance to make this play when you are near the button, and the kill is behind you. Unless he plays extremely poorly after the flop, there is no reason to let the player with the kill enter the pot cheaply and hold position over you for the entire hand.

An additional change in strategy is required in kill games that have no minimum qualifier for posting the kill. In such games, regardless of how small the pot happens to be, if one player scoops it, he must kill the next hand. It is a nice feeling to post the kill after winning a six-way pot. However, you will leave a good chunk of your profit out there after scooping a tiny pot, and the other players will probably laugh at you, as well. This kill blind does have some equity, but you would prefer the chips to be sitting in your stack.

To counter this, it is necessary that you tighten up in a couple of spots. First, when it is passed to you in late position and you are holding a marginal hand, it is usually best to fold. In playing, you would likely be opposed only by the blinds, and the pot figures to be small. If you do decide to play, enter the pot with a raise. Another spot to play tighter than normal is in the big blind, when one player has raised and everyone else has folded. You should play your good hands, of course, but remember that the price the pot is laying you is devalued somewhat by the prospect of having to kill it should you scoop.

Overall, you can be more successful in kill games by adhering to a few basic principles: (1) Be mindful of your position when deciding whether to defend your kill in a raised pot. (2) Raise and reraise more liberally in kill pots to narrow the field and put pressure on the blinds. (3) Play tighter than normal in small pots, as you will be forced to kill the pot if you win, requiring a significant percentage of your profit. ♠