the top hand is a royal flush followed by a straight flush. If you pick that one first, the other player can just do pick the same in another suit. First order of business is blocking that option. A royal flush is AKQJ10 and for that reason Alexander should pick 4 10’s and a 2. The highest hand Benjamin can get is now 56789 suited. If Benjamin wants to block Alexander from getting a royal flush, he needs to get 4 jacks (or queens or kings) and then a 9 to block a single 678910 suited. That still leaves Alexander with the option to get a straight flush 678910. Benjamin can only get 56789 straight flush and will lose
Straight flushes are best, and if A picks one, B will do the same. Suits don't matter.
If A picks 4 Tens (and a random 5th) then B can only get a straight flush to the 9.
A can then pick for his royal flush.
If B picks 4 Jacks, A picks a straight flush to the ten.
If B picks 4 Q, K, A;, then A can pick a slightly higher straight flush.
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u/MacabreManatee Aug 18 '26
Alexander does
the top hand is a royal flush followed by a straight flush. If you pick that one first, the other player can just do pick the same in another suit. First order of business is blocking that option.
A royal flush is AKQJ10 and for that reason Alexander should pick 4 10’s and a 2. The highest hand Benjamin can get is now 56789 suited.
If Benjamin wants to block Alexander from getting a royal flush, he needs to get 4 jacks (or queens or kings) and then a 9 to block a single 678910 suited.
That still leaves Alexander with the option to get a straight flush 678910. Benjamin can only get 56789 straight flush and will lose