One pair (poker)
Readers note: If your web browser does not display the card suit symbols below, see the section below.
A poker hand such as 4♥ 4♠ K♠ 10♦ 5♠, which contains two cards of the same rank, plus three unmatched cards. Ranks above any No pair hand, but below all other poker hands.
Between two such hands, the hand with the higher ranking pair wins. If two hands have the same rank of pair, the remaining cards in each hand (called Kickerss or side cards) are compared in the manner as no-pair hands.
Examples:
- 10♣ 10♠ 6♠ 4♥ 2♥ ("pair of tens") defeats 9♥ 9♣ A♥ Q♦ 10♦ ("pair of nines")
- 10♥ 10♦ J♦ 3♥ 2♣ ("tens with jack kicker") defeats 10♣ 10♠ 6♠ 4♥ 2♥
- 2♦ 2♥ 8♠ 5♣ 4♣ ("pair of deuces, eight-five-four") defeats 2♣ 2♠ 8♣ 5♥ 3♥ ("deuces, eight-five-three")
In some games, kickers become very important (typically
Community card games like
Texas holdem), while in other games (such as Draw poker) they are almost never significant. Nonetheless, they are always used if needed.
- See also : Poker
Readers note: This section uses the letters
c,
d,
h, and
s to indicate card suits.
A poker hand such as 4h 4s Ks 10d 5s, which contains two cards of the same rank, plus three unmatched cards. Ranks above any No pair hand, but below all other poker hands.
Between two such hands, the hand with the higher ranking pair wins. If two hands have the same rank of pair, the remaining cards in each hand (called Kickerss or side cards) are compared in the manner as no-pair hands.
Examples:
- 10c 10s 6s 4h 2h ("pair of tens") defeats 9h 9c Ah Qd 10d ("pair of nines")
- 10h 10d Jd 3h 2c ("tens with jack kicker") defeats 10c 10s 6s 4h 2h
- 2d 2h 8s 5c 4c ("pair of deuces, eight-five-four") defeats 2c 2s 8c 5h 3h ("deuces, eight-five-three")