"who would win" type of questions...

[RedfooT]

QUESTION #1 (complete with quick synopsis)

Ok, so I play heads up with a buddy of mine a lot... he and I both got "serious" about poker around the same time but after tonight, I realized how clueless we both really are. Simple questions:

ME= 5-9
HIM= 5-4
FLOP= 5-5-2

So we both believe we have the best hand... betting goes on strong since we're both convinced we have the better hand. Eventually its an all in... Anyway, rest of the flop comes up:

5-5-2-7-8

So im like "cool, I win"
he goes "uh no, its a pot split"
me: pondering and scanning for sarcasm...... its clean "Are you kidding me? I have the higher kicker"
him: "It doesnt matter, we both have the three of a kind"

Basically this lead into a huge argument I had with him until we finally went on some poker rep site and had our question answered. The rep told us that in that case, the kicker (or highest card on the table) decides who wins the pot. Hes still convinced that both I and the rep are wrong...
so thats question #1, who is right? me or him? Im pretty sure its me...

----------------------

QUESTION #2

This problem came up during our heads up BEFORE the situation I listed above. Basically:

FLOP: A-5-7 (all diamonds)
ME: K-9 (diamonds)
HIM: J-8 (diamonds)

Question is, is it a split pot OR do I win since I have the K of diamonds? My friend says its a pot split. I didnt argue since I wasnt sure myself. Theres an Ace (diamonds) high on the table as the leading card, so does the kicker come into place in this situation? or is it really just a pot split? I apologize if this is a "newbie" question so please bear with me...

Thankie

RedfooT

[Dave B]

you win both hands. Take the best 5 cards, in the 1st case, your 9 is better than the 7 8 on the table. If these cards w/ A 10, then those would make the best 5 cards and your 9 would not-then you would split the pot.

W/ the flush-you win. The K in your hand plays. This whole idea that you both have an A high flush is common, but it is completely 100% wrong.

You always use the best 5 cards and use each and every card to break any ties. The ONLY time there is a split pot is if all 5 cards are of the same value.

[Poker_Vendetta]

You know what? You should beat your idiot friend up for that! That'll show him!!

[RedfooT]

Thanks guys, its exactly what I thought...

Poker_Vandetta,

Oh trust me dude, its was getting pretty close to that...

[american mutt]

man, thats pretty funny, sounds like your friend just doesnt want
to lose. 2 of the poeple I play with just can't grasp the concept of
kickers and higher held cards in a flush. It's very frustrating and, they
usually just say "FINE!" , still not understanding, and thinking theyve
been cheated,,, so so frustrating. IT IS THE BEST 5 CARD HAND OUT
OF THE TABLE CARDS COMBINED WITH YOURS, IF YOU HOLD A CARD
THAT MAKES A HIGHER HAND THAN YOUR OPPONANT'S YOU WIN..IF
ALL THE CARDS ON THE TABLE ARE HIGHEST, OR YOU HAVE THE SAME
CARDS, YOU SPLIT.. WHAT?,,, I feel for ya man.

[dave0044]

Yeah, it's amazing how many people just don't get this. Here's a slow and simple way to figure out the highest hand that will work EVERY time.

Step 1: Figure out your best 5 card hand. Remember the hand rankings for poker, and if you have the highest ranked hand you win. If someone else has the same ranked hand move to Step 2.

Step 2: Compare highest cards. If your hand ranks as a straight flush, flush or straight your high card is just your highest card. If you have two pair or pair your highest cards will be your highest pair. If you have a four-of-a-kind your highest 4 cards are your four-of-a-kind. If you have a full house your highest 3 cards will be your three-of-a-kind. If your highest card(s) are the same as your opponents highest card(s) move to Step 3.

Step 3: Now compare your second highest cards. For a straight flush, flush or straight this will just be your second highest card. For two pair this will be your lower pair (since your top pair are already tied for the high card). For one pair it will be your highest non-paired card. For high card it will be your second highest card. If you and your opponent are still tied after Step 3 repeat for your third, fourth, and fifth highest card, until one of you has a card that is higher.

Remember that you can NEVER split with the following hands (for Texas Holdem) unless the highest hand is on the board (nobody can improve the 5 community cards):
straight flush
four-of-a-kind
flush

Just remember: TOP 5 CARDS, ALWAYS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[RedfooT]

Heh, im glad to see im not the only one who falls under this situation. It is very annoying because my friend till this day still feels like Ive chaeated him even though ive PROVEN to him through support sites, forums, etc. that he WAS wrong.

I dunno, I guess he just sodesnt understand that we're not poker pros. Im not out to take his 20 bucks at all cost! I could care less about 20 bucks here and there. Im playing to learn, get better, experience, etc. I enjoy the game and I would play if for free simply for the joy of analyzing and improving. However I realized that when people dont have their OWN money on the line, they play differently and very stupid. So theres no point unless you put pressure on them somehow.

Its also why I played online poker (fake money, hold'em) just once and quit. Because I realized how retarded it was when people dont have anything on the line. they make hoprrible judgements with no consequence. This guy who sat to my right would go all in every other hand and when he would lose, he would just get another 25 from the dealer. Granted its fake money but why even play if you're going to play like a douche bag? Whats the point? I guess he was just killing time... but if hes like every other poker player ive ever met, he probably thinks hes the "best".

[Kent Wobcorn]

true, a lot of loose play in online games. thats why its more fun
to play tournaments, because at least you get bragging rights
or a feel of accomplishment. if you're just playing a rolling game,
yeah, people play loose, and are more likely to stay in with crap.
when your money is on the line, thats how to know how good you
really are.

[poketkings99]

[i]QUESTION #2

This problem came up during our heads up BEFORE the situation I listed above. Basically:

FLOP: A-5-7 (all diamonds)
ME: K-9 (diamonds)
HIM: J-8 (diamonds)

Question is, is it a split pot OR do I win since I have the K of diamonds? My friend says its a pot split. I didnt argue since I wasnt sure myself. Theres an Ace (diamonds) high on the table as the leading card, so does the kicker come into place in this situation? or is it really just a pot split? I apologize if this is a "newbie" question so please bear with me...
[/i]
In response to that hand that hand would be a split pot because both of you use the ace in the Flush therefore your hands are both equal.I play online and in real games a lot trust me the pot is split in that situation.

[ballbp]

Either your friend was trying to cheat you or he doesn't quite get it either. You would have won that one with a flush A K 9 5 7 while his is A J 8 5 7. Your king is higher than his jack so your flush is higher.