Crossword Genius

Poles live on special gins (6)

Ross

I believe the answer is:

snares

'gins' is the definition.
('snare' can be a synonym of 'gin')

'poles live on special' is the wordplay.
'poles' becomes 'sn' (North and South poles).
'live' becomes 'are' (both can mean exist).
'on' is a charade indicator (letters next to each other).
'special' becomes 's' (common abbreviation as in Special Air Service).
'sn'+'are'+'s'='SNARES'

(Other definitions for snares that I've seen before include "hidden dangers" , "Game traps" , "Traps for catching birds or animals" , "Traps, enmeshes" , "Animal traps" .)

I've seen this clue in The Independent.
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