Poker is an exciting game that has been around for centuries. It is a game of skill, strategy and luck.
One of the most common scenarios that can occur during a game of poker is when two players have a pair. In this article, we will explore what happens when you both have a pair in poker.
Firstly, let’s define what a pair is in poker. A pair is when a player has two cards of the same rank in their hand. For example, if you have two Jacks in your hand, you have a pair of Jacks.
Now let’s imagine that two players are playing Texas Hold’em, and they both have a pair. The first thing to consider is the rank of the pairs. If one player has a higher-ranked pair than the other player, then they will win the hand.
For example, if one player has a pair of Kings and the other player has a pair of Jacks, then the player with the Kings will win the hand. However, if both players have the same-ranked pair, then it comes down to who has the highest kicker card.
The kicker card is simply the highest card that isn’t part of either player’s pair. For example, if both players have a pair of Queens and one player has an Ace as their kicker card while the other player has a 10 as their kicker card, then the player with the Ace kicker will win.
In some cases where both players have identical pairs and kickers (a rare occurrence), then it would be considered a tie or split pot where each player gets half of the pot.
It’s important to note that having just one pair may not always be enough to win at poker. As there are several other hands with higher rankings such as two pairs, three-of-a-kind, straight or flushes that can beat just one simple pair.
In conclusion, having just one single identical ranked pairs in poker is not a guaranteed win, and one must always consider the kicker card to determine the winner. So next time you are playing poker, remember that having a pair is not always enough to secure a win, but it may be enough to keep you in the game.
