Speaking of bugs, I would like to clarify the kicker card problem because I was searching the web for a proper definition and some sources say that a kicker card must be always taken from player's hand (hole cards), while others describe a kicker as the highest unused card, no matter if it belongs to the table cards or not.
Currently, we use the first approach. But if there is a reliable and official source which proves that a kicker card can be any card (not used in the winning combination), I would like to know about it.
emelin: I dont agree completely with this one, they say that if the board has a K kicker, for example, and one player also has a K kicker in their hand, the player with the one in their hand wins.
I say it is still a split pot tie, that a kicker in ones hand is no different from a kicker that comes from the board....
Czuch: This is for texas hold em.... there are other variations of texas hold em where you have to use both cards from your hand or one card and other variations like that, but we are talking only about traditional texas hold em
emelin: Thank you, it's clear now. And what happens if two players share the same pair (as the winning combination) and the same kicker as well? Would the second and third kicker card come to a consideration?
If two players "tie" with the same top 2 cards, then the 3rd card is looked at. (for example, both of a pair of Kings - if one has a queen high, the other a 10 - queen high wins.
If two players "tie" with the same top 3 cards, then it looks at the forth.
If two players "tie" with the same top 4 cards, then it looks at the fifth.
If two players "tie" with all 5 cards - then it is tied (as I understand it, you should look no further then the top 5 cards)
I think throwing the word "kicker" in there is just confusing. Out of the 7 cards (5 on the table, 2 in the hand) - BEST 5 cards out of those 7. Only those 5 cards each person makes a hand out of counts.
Fencer: Well i hope someone can back me up on it. (since I'm pretty sure, but I know I'm not an expert card player and could be missing something)
That is how I have always played - the cards of the table of "shared". So using those 5 cards, and the 2 in my hand - you make the best 5 card hand. (and each other player does the same)
Best 5 card hand wins. So if you have a pair, you take the pair & the next 3 highest cards and ignore the other 2 to make the best 5 card hand........I've never worried about what it was called (kicker and such).
coan.net: Yes thats exactly how it works. Every player makes best possible 5 card hand out of the 7 cards available to them. It does not matter if the cards are your private hole card or community cards on table.
For example, player A has A2 and player B AJ
Cards on board AK495 -> B wins, Both have pair of aces and King, J decides for B
If board cards are A8992 -> B wins again, both have pairs of aces and nines, and fifth card is J vs. 8. The pair of deuces does not help playerA at all. There's no such thing as three pairs :)
AQ299 -> split pot, both have same best hand, AA99Q. Deuces do not help A this time either.
coan.net: You know BBW, since you created the poker tables, you can easily go back in and add an upper limit in the description for each table, it doesnt actually have to be coded, it can be player enforced.
Czuch: It can be player enforced to a certain extent, but you have to keep in mind that the max is only a max buy-in and a player may go over that amount after winning without any consequences.
ellieoop: If the card in hand is high enough :) If the board is AQJ97 and one player has 54 and another player 62 ( all of the cards same suite) the pot will be split. Only 8, 10 or K of that suite would improve on the flush already on the table.
Fencer: I will search as well for something more official too..... but my understanding has always been that a kicker has to be any one of the five cards used in the hand.... but not one that makes up the hand.... for example, if we tie a hand with 2 pairs KK and QQ, then the next highest card is the kicker, if that card comes from someones hole cards, then they win the hand, if it comes from the board cards then they both share the same kicker and the hand is a tie and a split pot....
Fencer: So in the example of the flush, whomever has the highest spade in their hand is the winner, unless there are 5 spades all on the board that are higher than any in someones hand.... then it is again a tie and split pot
Fencer: One more...as this came in while I was typing.
The internet, itself, is not a good source for rules. You'll find lots of differing "opinions". Even Wiki's are subject to opinions.
I suggest finding rules from a specific organization. I think a good source for rules, such as how to determine kicker, would be from the "World Series of Poker".