Baseline Considerations

A kill button is a feature anyone can incorporate into their poker game. When the kill is 'off' the game plays normally, but when the kill is 'on' the stakes are doubled for one hand. Also, the player with the kill button must post an additional large blind regardless of their position. In a casino, the kill will usually come into effect when the same individual wins two pots in a row, of a designated minimum size. If that player keeps winning, the kill stays on. In hi/lo games the kill comes into effect whenever someone 'scoops' or wins an entire large pot to themselves.

Adding a kill to a poker game can actually change the complexion of the game in many ways. The most obvious reason to incorporate the kill is to stimulate more action. Upon witnessing a huge kill pot being played, many amateur players will inevitably loosen up their game in a dire attempt to quickly win a big pot. Ironically, most of these weaker players will tighten up when the kill is 'on', despite being quite loose the rest of the time. Many players will play scared when the stakes suddenly double, for fear of losing more than a comfortable amount. A good player should be willing to attack the kill, especially in position, by loosening up and being aggressive.

You should never loosen up when out of position relative to the kill. Play your normal, solid, tight-aggressive game when the kill has position on you. This is especially important when the player who is posting the kill is loose enough to call your raises with any hand. Also, keep in mind that it is very undesirable to post the kill yourself. You should strive to never play a less-than-stellar hand in a pot that could subsequently force you to post the kill.          

by Salvatore William Delle Palme           

Read more articles by Salvatore on his poker blog http://deeppoker.blogspot.com/.