Who Wins If Two Players Have the Same Hand in Poker?

Poker hand rankings determine which hand wins each pot in a game of poker. But what happens when two or more players show up with the same hand?

Tiebreaker rules for poker hands vary across the different ranks of hands. Some ties result in a split pot, while some matchups of the same hand result in a clear winner.

Let’s take a look at who wins if two players have the same hand in poker.

What Happens if Two Players Have the Same Hand in Poker?

In many cases, the player with the superior high card wins when two of the same hand go to a showdown. The high card tiebreaker works differently across the various hand rankings, so here’s a look at how to break a tie in every possible poker scenario.

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Who Wins if Two Players Have a Full House?

A full house is a five-card hand containing three of a kind and a pair in the same holding. In a matchup of two or more full houses, the hand with the higher ranking three of a kind wins.

For example, K♠ K♥ K♦ 2♦ 2♥ (kings full of twos) beats J♥ J♠ J♣ 2♦ 2♥ (jacks full of two). For another example, J♦ J♠ J♣ T♥ T♦ beats T♦ T♥ T♠ 4♦ 4♥.

Who Wins if Two Players Have a Flush?

A flush is composed of five cards of all the same suit. When two or more flushes go to battle, the flush with the best high card wins. For instance, A♦ 9♦ 6♦ 2♦ 3♦ beats K♦ T♦ 6♦ 2♦ 3♦, and J♠ T♠ 7♠ 4♠ 2♠ beats 9♠ 8♠ 7♠ 4♠ 2♠.

If two flushes have the same high card, the next highest card wins. For example, in a game of Texas Hold’em, let’s say one player has K♣ T♣, another has Q♣ J♣, and the board comes out A♣ 9♣ 5♣ 8♦ 8♥.

Both players have an ace-high flush, but the player with K♣ T♣ wins. The king plays as the second-highest card and breaks the tie, as A♣ K♣ T♣ 9♣ 5♣ beats A♣ Q♣ J♣ 9♣ 5♣.

Who Wins if Two Players Have a Straight?

When two straights go head to head, the straight with the strongest high card wins. For example, A♥ K♦ Q♠ J♥ T♠ beats Q♠ J♥ T♣ 9♥ 8♦.

When two of the same ranking straights go to showdown, the hand results in a chopped pot.

Who Wins if Both Players Have Three of a Kind in Poker?

In a battle of two or more three of a kind hands, the player with the highest-ranking three of a kind wins. For instance, J♥ J♣ J♠ 7♥ 2♣ beats 9♥ 9♦ 9♣ 7♥ 2♣.

If two or more players make the same three of a kind, the player with the better kicker (highest card that’s not part of the three of a kind) wins. For example, let’s say in a game of Texas Hold’em, one player holds A♠ K♦ and another holds A♦ Q♠.

If the board comes out A♣ A♥ 7♦ 6♥ 2♣, the player with A♠ K♦ wins. In this example, A♣ A♥ A♠ K♦ 7♦ would beat A♣ A♥ A♦ Q♠ 7♦.

Who Wins if Both Players Have Two Pair in Poker?

When multiple two pair hands go to showdown, the hand with the superior higher pair wins. For example, A♥ A♦ Q♠ Q♥ 4♠ beats Q♠ Q♥ T♣ 8♥ 4♠.

In the rare case that identical two pair hands go to battle, the player with the superior kicker wins.

Who Wins if Both Players Have the Same Pair in Poker?

Two or more players turning up with the same pair happens somewhat regularly in games like Texas Hold’em and Pot-Limit Omaha. When the same pairs go to showdown, the player with the best kicker prevails.

For example, A♣ A♥ K♦ 7♦ 6♣ beats A♠ A♥ Q♦ 7♦ 6♣. You would see this scenario unfold in Texas Hold’em if the board ran out A♥ 7♦ 6♣ 3♣ 2♥, one player showed A♥ K♦, and the other showed A♠ Q♦.

Who Wins if Neither Player Has a Pair in Poker?

When no one ends up with a pair or better at showdown, the best high card wins. For instance, A♥ Q♦ 8♠ 7♥ 6♠ is good against K♥ J♥ 8♠ 7♥ 6♠.

If both players have the same high card, the second-highest card from each hand plays.