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Two pairs: how to determine the winner
With two pairs, the high pair is first compared, then the low pair, then the only remaining five card. A pocket pair may stop participating after a new board card.
Order of three comparisons
The name “two pairs” does not in itself mean equality. A pair of aces and sevens beats a pair of kings and queens regardless of the fifth card. If the high pairs are the same, compare the low pairs. Only when both pairs are equal does the fifth card decide. Each player still has exactly five cards; suits do not contribute to the strength of the pair.
Why do pocket pairs disappear?
Let's take 2♣ 2♦ against A♣ K♥ for total 9♠ 9♦ 4♣ 5♥. With the river 7♠, the player with deuces has two pairs 9-9 and 2-2; the opponent only has a pair of nines. If a 5♠ comes instead of a 7♠, both use the pairs of nines and fives from the board. Twos are no longer part of the top five; The opponent's high ace wins on the kicker. These are two alternatives to one river, not the sixth card on the board.
Test yourself
First, write out four cards of pairs and only then the fifth. If several pair combinations are possible, take the strongest possible five. In Omaha, don't forget the 2+3 rule: you can't just take two ready pairs from the board and one of your own cards. Compare two rivers and determine the winner.
Common pairs do not automatically cancel hole cards
When there are two pairs on the board, a player can use both of them and add a fifth card from his hand. But another valid five is sometimes stronger: a hand card can form a new high pair with the board. In Hold'em you are allowed to take zero, one or two of your cards, so check all combinations. In Omaha High there is no such free play with the board: the result always consists of exactly two of your own cards and three of the community cards.
A useful procedure is to find the best category for each, write down the high rank of the pair, the low rank of the pair, and the fifth card. If the first comparison line is already different, it doesn't get to the kicker. A pocket pair is only valuable if it is in the final top five after all the community cards have been revealed.
Try on other cards
The short selection does not replicate the fully disclosed examples in this article. Select game: Practice the topic: Hold'em · Practice the topic: Omaha 4 · Practice the topic: Omaha 5.