Who won the pot? Or is it a split?

[metomeya]

I had the following scenario

K J 10 8 4

Player One:
8 9

Player Two:
8 Q

The group determined that it was a split (you didn't use the queen since you have to use the 5 cards on the board unless since it didn't create any combination).

People argued the other way. Was it a split, or did player two win?

[HalfSugar]

The group determined that it was a split (you didn't use the queen since you have to use the 5 cards on the board unless since it didn't create any combination).

This is way wrong.

Player one has 88KJT (the 9 in his hand does not play)
Player two has 88KQJ (the Queen in his hand does play)

Player two wins because after the pair of 8s and the King, the Queen is the next highest card and it is in Player Two's hand.

For clarification on this sort of thing, check out our FAQ:
poker-faq-please-read-before-starting-a-new-thread-t3459.html

[crack]

In Hold'em out you have to make the best 5 card hand.

88KQJ is the best player 2 can make while player one can only make 88KJT, therefore player 2 wins the pot.

If you both had lower kickers say 86 and 83 then it would be a split pot because the best 5 card hand you both could make would be 88KJT.