Gambling/poker

Advertisement

Expert: Chris - 12/5/2008


Question
If there are 2 royal straight flushes by two players, is one higher than the other?

Answer
I've never seen this occur in casino poker where the games are standardized, and it would be impossible in Hold'em or Omaha, so I have to assume your are playing home games when this kind of question pops up.

If you are playing home games where the dealer names whatever odd game he comes up with, you have to expect problems from a lack of clear rules, and these are the most common questions I get at allexperts.com. The best thing to do is either play standardized games, or do your best to make sure that you have all your rules posted somewhere and everyone knows about them.

Making a ruling about whether one Royal Flush beats another and whether the suit of a player's cards means anything in your game is a good place to start. You don't want t be trying to rule on this after it has happened or you are likely to end up with fights on your hands.

My inclination would be to say that suits don't matter, because that's how standardized games work and those games are what I am used to playing, but every home game is different and you'll have to make that rule for yourself.

If I had to rule on the matter I would say that the hand is a tie, the pot is chopped in half, and we are only playing Hold'em, Omaha, Pineapple, Razz, Stud, Stud8, and Draw from now on so that this situation doesn't come up again.

Gambling

All Answers

Answers by Expert:

Ask Experts

Volunteer

Chris

Expertise

I am a professional poker player and game theory expert. I can answer almost any question related to poker, from your local home game to winning big tournaments or playing at a casino. I am the head cash game instructor at pokerxfactor.com, and I run a site for poker coaches at http://www.foxpoker.com, give lessons (I'm usually booked at least two weeks ahead of time) and I know a little about the online poker affiliate business as well.

Experience

I've been playing poker for a living for 4 years, and have written about the subject extensively. I have sold articles to places like twoplustwo.com and Deal magazine, and I write a monthly column called The Online Fox in Poker Pro Magazine and Poker Pro Europe. I run a poker magazine at www.blindstraddle.com and a rakeback site at www.pokerwhip.com.

Organizations
http://www.headsupsitandgo.com - http://www.poker-coach.com - http://www.shortsharks.com

Publications
Poker Pro Magazine, Pocketfives.com, Twoplustwo.com, Blind Straddle online poker magazine

Education/Credentials
I've read the books, talked to the old timers, and done my time at the tables. That's all the education a poker player gets. I own over 100 poker books and have read them all at least once.

Awards and Honors
"Best Article" award on pocketfives.com for 2005 for my bankroll management article. All my other "awards" have been in cash, and I've already spent them. Poker isn't about trophies, it's about money. Many major tournament wins online.

Past/Present Clients
Too many to list. I run http://wwwfoxpoker.com I also work for PokerXFactor.com as a consultant and no-limit Hold Em expert.

©2012 About.com, a part of The New York Times Company. All rights reserved.