What happens when a player has a pair in a poker game?

In poker, when a player has a pair, it means they possess two cards that share the same nominal value, but they can be of different suits and colors. For example, if a player has two Kings, one from hearts and the other from spades, they have a pair of Kings. This combination is important because it contributes to the strength of the player’s hand in comparison to others.

A pair does not guarantee a win nor does it automatically cause a loss against all hands, which is reflected in other options. While two cards of the same nominal value enhance a player's hand, additional factors such as the other players' hands and the community cards can affect the overall outcome of the game. Therefore, claiming that a pair guarantees a win or loss is oversimplified and not accurate in the context of poker strategy and gameplay.