Poker Hands Rankings: From the Highest to Lowest Combination
1: Royal Flush – best Poker Hand
The Royal Flush is a unique straight flush, with cards A♥ K♥ Q♥ J♥ 10♥ from the same suit. It’s poker’s top hand, similar to golf’s ‘hole in one’. It’s rare, especially before online poker, for players to get this hand.
What does Royal Flush beat?
The Royal Flush is the highest hand in poker and beats all other hands.
What beats Royal Flush?
Nothing. The Royal Flush is the unbeatable poker hand.
2: Straight Flush
Contrary to some beliefs, the Straight Flush, not four of a kind, is the second strongest hand in poker. It’s five sequential cards from the same suit, like J♥ 10♥ 9♥ 8♥ 7♥. The highest card determines the rank.
What does Straight Flush beat?
Four of a Kind, Full House, Flush, Straight, Three of a Kind, Two Pair, One Pair, and High Card
What beats Straight Flush?
Royal Flush
3: Four of a kind (Quads)
Also known as “quads”, Four of a Kind is four cards of identical rank plus a kicker. For example, J♣ J♠ J♦ J♥ Q♥ beats 9♣ 9♠ 9♦ 9♥ Q♥.
What does Four of a Kind beat?
Straight Flush, Full House, Flush, Straight, Three of a Kind, Two Pair, One Pair, High Card
What beats Four of a Kind?
Royal Flush, Straight Flush
4: Full House
The Full House combines three cards of one rank with two of another, like 4♣ 4♠ 4♦ 5♣ 5♥, termed “fours full of fives”. The trio’s rank, not the pair, decides its strength.
What does Full House beat?
Flush, Straight, Three of a Kind, Two Pair, One Pair, High Card
What beats Full House?
Royal Flush, Straight Flush, Four of a Kind
5: Flush
A Flush is five cards of the same suit, but not in sequence. For instance, A♣ J♣ 7♣ 6♣ 2♣ represents an “ace-high flush”. The top card determines its rank.
What does Flush beat?
Straight, Three of a Kind, Two Pair, One Pair, High Card
What beats Flush?
Royal Flush, Straight Flush, Four of a Kind, Full House
6: Straight
A Straight has five consecutive cards of different suits. An example is 9♣ 8♠ 7♠ 6♥ 5♥, termed “nine-high straight”. The variant A♣ K♦ Q♣ J♦ 10♥ is the highest, known as Broadway Straight. The Ace can also be the lowest card as in 5♣ 4♥ 3♦ 2♠ A♥, called Bicycle or Wheel.
What does Straight beat?
Three of a Kind, Two Pair, One Pair, High Card
What beats Straight?
Royal Flush, Straight Flush, Four of a Kind, Full House, Flush
7: Three of a kind
Three of a Kind, also known as Set or Trips, comprises three cards of the same rank. For instance, 3♦ 3♠ 3♣ Q♠ 6♥ can be termed “trip threes” or “set of threes”.
What does Three of a Kind beat?
Two Pair, One Pair, High Card
What beats Three of a Kind?
Royal Flush, Straight Flush, Four of a Kind, Full House, Flush, Straight
8: Two pair
Two Pair consists of two cards of one rank paired with two of another, like 10♥ 10♣ 3♣ 3♠ 9♥. The top pair’s rank determines its strength.
What does Two Pair beat?
One Pair, High Card
What beats Two Pair?
Royal Flush, Straight Flush, Four of a Kind, Full House, Flush, Straight, Three of a Kind
9: One pair
A Pair consists of two cards of the same rank, like 7♥ 7♠ K♠ 10♦ 5♠, termed “pair of sevens”. The kickers determine the strength.
What does One Pair beat?
High Card
What beats One Pair?
Royal Flush, Straight Flush, Four of a Kind, Full House, Flush, Straight, Three of a Kind, Two Pair
10: High card – worst Poker Hand
In situations with No-Pair or “high card”, if no players have at least one pair, the highest card decides the winner, such as A♥ K♥.
What does High Card beat?
None (Lowest hand, unless it’s higher than another High Card hand)
What beats High Card?
Royal Flush, Straight Flush, Four of a Kind, Full House, Flush, Straight, Three of a Kind, Two Pair, One Pair
Determining the Rank of your Combination
Number of Cards in the Suit: The most important thing to look at is how many cards you have that are all the same suit. If you have more cards in the same suit, your hand is usually stronger. For example, a flush, which is five cards of the same suit, is a strong hand.
Rank of the Cards: The second thing to check is the value of your cards. Higher-value cards make a stronger hand compared to lower-value cards. Aces are usually the highest, followed by Kings, Queens, and so on down to twos.
Straight Sequences: A straight, which is a sequence of cards in order, can also determine a hand’s strength. For instance, a straight flush, combining a straight and a flush, is one of the strongest hands.
Pairs and Sets: Having pairs (two cards of the same rank), three of a kind, or four of a kind also contributes to a hand’s strength. The more cards of the same rank you have, the stronger your hand is.
Using Poker Hands the right way
Making Decisions: Knowing the rankings helps you decide when to bet, raise, or fold. This knowledge is key in playing the game wisely.
Bluffing: You can also use these rankings to bluff. This means you might bet or raise with a not-so-good hand, hoping others will think you have a better hand and fold.
Decisive Tie-breakers in Poker Hand Rankings
- 1. Supremacy of Hand Value: When it comes to poker hand rankings, the player with the higher value hand wins in a matchup of identical hands. For instance, a Straight from 10 to 6 in poker hand rankings beats a Straight from 9 to 5.
- 2. The Role of Kickers in Poker Hand Strength: In situations where both players have the same poker hand rankings, such as two pairs of eights, the next highest card, known as the kicker, determines the winner.
- 3. Equal Hands, Shared Victory: In poker hand rankings, if players have hands that are completely identical in rank, the pot is split between them.
Remember, mastering poker hand rankings is key. In poker, suits alone don’t determine the winner; it’s the card combinations and their rankings. Understanding poker hand rankings for beginners is crucial for smart play.
Kickers: The Silent Game-Changers in Poker Hand Rankings
In poker hand rankings, a “kicker” plays a vital role. This card, although not part of the hand’s primary rank, often decides the winner in close calls. Here’s an insight into the importance of kickers in poker hand strength:
- 1. Unveiling the Kicker: When players have identical hands, the kicker emerges as the deciding factor. The higher the kicker the stronger the hand.
- 2. Counting the Kickers: The significance of kickers in poker hand rankings varies with the hand. For example, in a pair, three kickers may influence the outcome, unlike in a three-of-a-kind, where two kickers are involved.
- 3. Drama of High Card Scenarios: When it comes to poker hand ratings with high card hands, all five cards can act as kickers. The highest card dictates the winner, followed by the next highest cards in sequence.
- 4. When Kickers Bow Out: In certain poker hand combinations, like full houses, flushes, and straights, kickers are not considered as these hands are ranked by their main cards.
In poker hand order, a kicker may not always play a role, but it can dramatically shift the outcome from a split to a win.
The Art of Poker Strategy: Why Understanding Poker Hand Rankings Matters
Grasping the concept of poker hand rankings is just the beginning of a successful poker strategy. This knowledge is vital for reading the game, analyzing opponents, and making strategic moves. Knowing how to read poker hands and understanding poker hand strength are essential skills for any player.
Familiarity with poker hand hierarchy, from the unbeatable Royal Flush to the simple High Card, is a fundamental aspect of poker strategy. This insight aids not just in evaluating the strength of your hand but in foreseeing and countering your opponents’ tactics. It’s a crucial element in making winning decisions in Texas Hold’em and understanding poker hand rankings for beginners.
