Which Poker Hand Wins? Tiebreaker Rules Beginners Always Get Wrong

In Texas Hold'em, poker hand tiebreaker rules compare the five cards forming each hand first, then any side cards (kickers). If both players' best five cards are identical, it's a split pot — suits never break ties.

Poker kicker rules decide most "who wins" disputes, because only your best five cards count — a sixth card never plays. Example: the board runs K♠ 9♦ 6♣ 3♥ 2♠; Player A holds K♥ Q♣, Player B holds K♦ J♠. Both have a pair of kings, but A's queen kicker beats B's jack, so A scoops the pot. With two pair, compare the higher pair first, then the lower pair, then the kicker.

Split pots happen when both players' best five cards are identical. Common cases: - Playing the board: the community cards alone make the best possible hand (like an ace-high straight with no flush possible), so everyone still in the hand splits the pot - Flush vs flush: compare the five suited cards from highest down; identical flushes split - Straight vs straight: the higher top card wins; equal straights chop the pot