Who wins the pot?

[AllenDale]

Ok, let me set up the situation:

I hold a 7 diamonds and a 10 hearts in the pocket and my buddy holds a 7 hearts and a Queen spades; the board cards are four hearts, five spades, six hearts, eight clubs, 2 spades.

We both have a straight right? I figure we split the pot. My buddy tells me that, since we have the same cards, it goes to the person holding the next highest card. I really just started playing so I figure he's right. Who wins. Is he right, or does he win because of suit or what?

[Adamm]

It's a split pot.
In holdem you use the best possible five card hand. In your case the hand would've been 4, 5, 6, 7, 8. Kickers aren't used with straights ever, because it takes all five cards to make the straight. You never use a sixth card to break ties.
Your buddy owes you money!

[Poker_Vendetta]

Hey Adam, let's post that somewhere. The best 5-card hand, it would make this the most hit website on the face of the earth. People simply do not get it, please make a new forum where they can post questions JUST on who wins or put a link right infront of their faces to explain.

[Coconut]

It's hard to get used to why your ace won't take a straight for you. I had to correct my father trying to take the whole pot when it should have been split.

[HalfSugar]

Hey Adam, let's post that somewhere. The best 5-card hand, it would make this the most hit website on the face of the earth. People simply do not get it, please make a new forum where they can post questions JUST on who wins or put a link right infront of their faces to explain.

Adam just rejigged the forum to include this section and a Bad Beats section. I think a 'Who wins the hand question?' is a Beginner's Question topic so I'd say it's fine really Vendetta. I do agree tho that we old timers have seen this sorta thing a number of times but it'll pop up forever as more people learn to play so I guess u just gotta keep imparting ur knowledge and move along