Most of us have played poker in one form or another. The game is universal, reaching across the world to unite players of all ages and nations.
Let’s get to the basics. Players are each dealt a set number of cards in a predetermined timing system (deal, flop, turn, river, street, etc.) which varies from game to game. The object is to have the best combination of five cards after betting has ended. (See the Texas Hold em Hands Order below for rankings of all hands.) Got it? Alright. Now, let’s tackle the specifics.
Here we’ll be discussing the game that, according to Rounders, is “the Cadillac of Poker.” We’re talking, of course, about Texas Hold’em. Players are dealt two hole cards face-down after the blinds (a set payment from the two players to the left of the dealer) have been added to the fresh pot. Action then begins with the player immediately to the left of the “Big Blind” (which is known as being “under the gun”). Players must match the amount of chips put in by the big blind or any player who adds a bet (“Raises”) in order to see the initial set of community cards, which we call the “Flop.” Action then proceeds around the table, starting from the player immediately to the dealer’s left (the “Small Blind”). Players may “check” (in which no bet is made), raise, call, or re-raise (by doubling the wager of a previous bettor). All told, there are four rounds of betting – one pre-flop and one each after the flop, turn, and river. After all bets have been called on the river, players must show their cards in order to reveal who has the best hand. This is known as the “Showdown”, and the hands are ranked in the order of high to low.
Here’s where things get really interesting. Hold ‘Em hands can be made up of any five cards either in your hand or on the board. You can use both, one, or none of your hole cards. This is an important distinction from games such as Omaha, where you must use two (and only two) of your hole cards. So, once everyone’s cards are on the table, it’s time to determine who rakes in the pot. You’ll find a visual listing of the Texas Hold em Poker Hands Order and rankings below, along with a Hero vs Villain quiz.
Texas Hold em Poker Hands OrderTop 10 Texas Hold’em HandsThe below list doesn’t show the best hands percentage wise, but instead lists the top 10 playable texas hold em hands. Basically, these are the hands that should make you the most money! Pocket Aces
Pocket Kings
Pocket Queens
Ace King Suited
Pocket Jacks
Ace King Offsuit
Ace Queen Suited
Pocket Tens
Ace Queen Offsuit
King Queen Suited
Those are the Texas Hold em Poker Hands Order from best to worst. Hope to see more at the top than the bottom! Now that you know the rankings, look to the right and see if you can figure out who wins, Hero or Villain. |
Hero vs VillainLooking at a ranking chart like on the left is easy, but now the challenge comes seeing the board, Hero’s and Villain’s hand. Who wins? (Hero is always on the left.)
Hand 1
Board:
Results: Our hero runs into trouble on the flop with his aces-up dominated. In a stroke of luck, he hits runner-runner hearts to make his nut flush. The villain’s set is busted. Hero wins!
Hand 2
Board:
Who wins, Hero or Villain?
Results: Our hero loses when his opponent makes a better full house on the turn. Not a pretty site. Villain wins!
Hand 3
Board:
Who wins, Hero or Villain?
Results: The villain checks in the big blind and hits top pair. He begins to salivate after making two-pair on the turn, and nearly leaps out of his seat when the river deuce hits the board. He moves all in and is called immediately by our hero, whose 7-high straight sends the bad guy to the rail. Hero wins!
Hand 4
Board:
Who wins, Hero or Villain?
Results: A tough loss for our Hero on the river, when Villain spikes a straight. Villain wins!
Hand 5
Board:
Who wins, Hero or Villain?
Results: Well, it could be worse! The money went in preflop, but they end up splitting the pot with a pair of aces!
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