Here are the standard hand rankings in poker, starting with the highest hand:
- Royal Flush: A, K, Q, J, 10, all of the same suit.
- Straight Flush: Any five cards of the same suit in sequential order.
- Four of a Kind: Four cards of the same rank and any other card.
- Full House: Three of a kind plus a pair.
- Flush: Any five cards of the same suit, not in sequence.
- Straight: Five cards in sequence, not of the same suit.
- Three of a Kind: Three cards of the same rank and two unrelated cards.
- Two Pair: Two sets of pairs of different rank and one unrelated card.
- One Pair: Two cards of the same rank and three unrelated cards.
- High Card: The highest card in the hand if no hand is made.
Poker Hand Rankings Explained
Here’s a more detailed explanation of each of the 10 hand rankings in poker:
Royal Flush
A Royal Flush is the highest hand in poker and consists of the Ace, King, Queen, Jack, and 10, all of the same suit.
It’s an extremely rare hand, and players always win the pot if they get one.
It’s the only unbeatable hand in poker.
Straight Flush
A Straight Flush is any five cards of the same suit in sequential order.
For example, 7, 8, 9, 10, Jack of spades would make a Straight Flush. It’s a strong hand that is only beaten by a Royal Flush.
Four of a Kind
Four of a Kind is a hand that consists of four cards of the same rank, plus any other card.
For example, four Queens and a 7 would make Four of a Kind.
It’s a very strong hand that is typically beaten only by a Straight Flush or Royal Flush.
Full House
A Full House is a hand that consists of three cards of the same rank, plus a pair of another rank. For example, three Kings and two 10s would make a Full House.
It’s a strong hand that is typically only beaten by Four of a Kind, Straight Flush, or Royal Flush.
Flush
A Flush is any five cards of the same suit, not in sequence.
For example, 2, 5, 9, Jack, and King of hearts would make a Flush. It’s a strong hand that is typically only beaten by a Full House, Four of a Kind, Straight Flush, or Royal Flush.
Straight
A Straight is any five cards in sequence, not of the same suit.
For instance, 5, 6, 7, 8, and 9 of mixed suits would make a Straight. It’s a strong hand that is typically only beaten by a Flush, Full House, Four of a Kind, Straight Flush, or Royal Flush.
Three of a Kind
Three of a Kind is a hand that consists of three cards of the same rank, plus two unrelated cards.
For example, three 7s and two 8s would make Three of a Kind. It’s a decent hand that is typically only beaten by higher ranking hands such as a Straight, Flush, Full House, Four of a Kind, Straight Flush, or Royal Flush.
Two Pair
Two Pair is a hand that consists of two sets of pairs of different rank, plus one unrelated card.
For example, two Kings and two 7s, plus a 9 would make Two Pair. It’s a decent hand that is typically only beaten by higher ranking hands such as Three of a Kind, Straight, Flush, Full House, Four of a Kind, Straight Flush, or Royal Flush.
One Pair
One Pair is a hand that consists of two cards of the same rank, plus three unrelated cards.
For example, two Queens and three 7s would make One Pair.
It’s a weaker hand that is typically only beaten by higher ranking hands such as Two Pair, Three of a Kind, Straight, Flush, Full House, Four of a Kind, Straight Flush, or Royal Flush.
High Card
High Card is the highest card in the hand if no hand is made. For example, if a player has a King, a Queen, a Jack, a 9, and a 7, the best hand they could make would be High Card King. It’s the weakest hand and is typically only won if no other players have any other ranked hands.
Poker Hands Ranking in Texas Hold’em
Poker Hand Rankings in Context
These hand rankings are standard for most poker games, including Texas Hold’em, Omaha, Seven-Card Stud, and more.
It’s important to note that there can be some slight variations in the hand rankings depending on the specific game being played, so it’s always a good idea to familiarize yourself with the hand rankings for the game you’re playing.
Additionally, some games may have additional hands or rankings, so it’s also a good idea to be aware of any specific rules or variations for the game you’re playing.
When playing poker, it’s essential to know the hand rankings so you can understand your chances of winning the pot.
Knowing the hand rankings can also help you make better decisions about when to bet, call, or fold, as you’ll have a better understanding of the strength of your hand compared to your opponents’ hands.
Overall, the hand rankings are an integral part of playing poker and understanding the game.
By familiarizing yourself with the hand rankings, you can improve your chances of winning and become a more successful poker player.
