Which hand wins? (beginner question)

[simafe]

Hi.

Yesterday night I was playing Holdem poker and came on the next situation.


Community cards:
5 - 6 - 7 - 8 - J

(5, 6, 7, 8 - all of the same suit)

Hand 1:

4, A (4 -of the same suit as 5, 6, 7, 8 on community cards, to make a straight flush)


Hand 2:

9, Q (9 -of the same suit as 5, 6, 7, 8 on community cards, to make a straight flush, higher than the one of the player 1)

My question is:
Which hand wins?

The player 1 because of the "A"
The player 2 because he has a bigger straight flush?

Thank you.

 

[hott_estelle]

Hand 2: The 9 high straight flush is the best hand. It's straight flush against straight flush, so the Ace doesn't play. 9 high straight flush is higher than an 8 high straight flush.

 

[simafe]

Thank you.

 

[kid_romeo24]

Higher one wins!

The lady knows her cards!

 

[JimboJim]

In Texas hold'em you take whatever 5 cards that make the best possible hand and pretty much throw the other two away.

 

[gord962]

As Jim said, when playing hold'em you are trying to make the best 5 card hand. Once you have used 5 cards to make your best hand, disregard the other two.

If there would have been 4c-5d-6h-7s-8c on the board and you had AcAd and he had 7d8h, you would split the pot because the best 5 card hand for both of you would be the straight 4-8.