04-29-05, LearnTexasHoldem:

Dispute Ruins Night

Question:Who wins? Or is it a split pot?

The five cards on the table were (7)(9)(J)(10)(K)

Opponents hand (K)(5)

My Hand (K)(3)

He claims he wins, I think it's a split pot.

We spent 2 hours looking online for a specific answer before ending the game on a terribly sour note. We are all angry at eachother now... so please settle this once and for all.

Thanks, Evan

Top 3 Beginner Rooms

Answer: That is a chopped pot since you both have the same best five cards: KJT97. If one of you had an 8 or better with their King (regardless of whether it made a straight or not), that person would have won since they could beat the 7 on the board.

I get quite a few emails from players in home games, many of whom had disputes like this that ruined the night. Guys and girls, poker is about fun and not being a nit about the rules. I understand if there is someone intentionally breaking rules, or if you are unclear and just want to learn, but to lose a whole night isn't worth it.

Even if you play professionally, if you aren't having a good time anymore, you shouldn't go back. If you know more about poker than your friends do, don't hold it over them. Instead, gradually teach them the rules without being a stickler. Clearly, you can't play unless you have the rules for evaluating showdowns, but you need some way to resolve arguments so you can salvage the night.

Everyday I play, there is someone at the table who needs to point out when the dealer made an insignificant mistake or when another player didn't do something right. It reminds me of that person in school who thought they were so smart because they occasionally found a typo on the board when the teacher was writing. One of the last times I played, the whole game stopped for 7 minutes while some guy bitched about not getting an extra $2.

What was hilarious to me is this was from the same guy who was complaining that the limit was too small since he "normally" played 1/2 and 2/4 ($100/200 and $200/400). My point is that you should take a relaxed attitude to the game, unlike a lot of these people I see on a day-to-day basis. It is important we all know the rules, so send the questions in, but don't let the little things get you stressed out; it just isn't worth the effort.

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