Poker Hands

The rules of poker are pretty simple, this ranking or order of poker hands determines the winner, with the Royal Flush being the best hand (*note – this assumes no wild cards, ie – 5 Aces). Check out the order of poker hands below, from best to worst. I’ve included pictures of the poker hands so you can see what each hand looks like.

To the right, we’ll make sure you understand the rank and order of these poker hands. This order of poker hands is always the same across all poker games. Remember, even in a 7 card poker game, you always ONLY use the best 5 cards to make your best poker hand!

Poker Hands Ranking

Royal Flush

Poker Hands - Royal Flush Poker Hands - Royal Flush Poker Hands - Royal Flush Poker Hands - Royal Flush Poker Hands - Royal Flush

Straight Flush

Poker Hands - Straight Flush Poker Hands - Straight Flush Poker Hands - Straight Flush Poker Hands - Straight Flush Poker Hands - Straight Flush

4 of a Kind

Poker Hands - 4 of a Kind Poker Hands - 4 of a Kind Poker Hands - 4 of a Kind Poker Hands - 4 of a Kind Poker Hands - 4 of a Kind

Full House (or Boat)

Poker Hands - Full House Poker Hands - Full House Poker Hands - Full House Poker Hands - Full House Poker Hands - Full House

Flush

Poker Hands - Flush Poker Hands - Flush Poker Hands - Flush Poker Hands - Flush Poker Hands - Flush

Straight

Poker Hands - Straight Poker Hands - Straight Poker Hands - Straight Poker Hands - Straight Poker Hands - Straight

3 of a Kind

Poker Hands - 3 of a Kind Poker Hands - 3 of a Kind Poker Hands - 3 of a Kind Poker Hands - 3 of a Kind Poker Hands - 3 of a Kind

2 Pair

Poker Hands - 2 Pair Poker Hands - 2 Pair Poker Hands - 2 Pair Poker Hands - 2 Pair Poker Hands - 2 Pair

1 Pair

Poker Hands - 1 Pair Poker Hands - 1 Pair Poker Hands - 1 Pair Poker Hands - 1 Pair Poker Hands - 1 Pair

High Card

Poker Hands - High Card Poker Hands - High Card Poker Hands - High Card Poker Hands - High Card Poker Hands - High Card

Poker Hand Scenarios

This hand:
Poker Hands - Flush Poker Hands - Flush Poker Hands - Flush Poker Hands - Flush Poker Hands - Flush

beats this hand:
Poker Hands - Flush Poker Hands - Flush Poker Hands - Flush Poker Hands - Flush Poker Hands - Flush

Do you see why?

Kickers apply to flushes too. The spade high flush has an A Q 8 6 5 ranking, but the diamond flush has a A Q 8 6 4 ranking.

This hand:
Poker Hands - 2 Pair Poker Hands - 2 Pair Poker Hands - 2 Pair Poker Hands - 2 Pair Poker Hands - 2 Pair

beats this hand:
Poker Hands - 2 Pair Poker Hands - 2 Pair Poker Hands - 2 Pair Poker Hands - 2 Pair Poker Hands - 2 Pair

Do you see why?

Remember, poker is a 5 card hand. Your kicker matters with two pair! The top hand has KK QQ with a 7 kicker and the bottom hand has KK QQ with a 6 kicker.

This hand:
Poker Hands - Straight Poker Hands - Straight Poker Hands - Straight Poker Hands - Straight Poker Hands - Straight

beats this hand:
Poker Hands - Straight Poker Hands - Straight Poker Hands - Straight Poker Hands - Straight Poker Hands - Straight

Do you see why?

Straights are ranked by their highest valued card. So in this case 6-5-4-3-2 is higher than 5-4-3-2-A. Remember, Aces can be high or low in a straight.

This hand:
Poker Hands - Full House Poker Hands - Full House Poker Hands - Full House Poker Hands - Full House Poker Hands - Full House

beats this hand:
Poker Hands - Full House Poker Hands - Full House Poker Hands - Full House Poker Hands - Full House Poker Hands - Full House

Do you see why?

Full house rankings always count the three of a kind hand over the pair hand. So in this example, the top player has TTT 88, and the bottom player has 999 AA. Trips tens are higher than trip nines.

These are some basic poker rules that apply to most all poker games. First of all, poker is a 5 card game. You may play in games that have 7 cards or 9 cards or whatever, but you always use only the best five cards to make your best poker hand. So these basic poker hand rankings apply to Texas Holdem, 5 card draw, seven card stud, etc.

Within each grouping, the rank of all five of your cards will determine the winner. For example, if my opponent and I both have 1 pair, then whoever’s pair is higher wins (ie – AA beats KK). If my opponent and I both have a straight, whoever’s straight is higher wins. In the event of a tie, let’s say a pair of aces or an ace high flush, you always look at all five cards for the tie-breaker. For example, let’s say I have an ace high flush and so does my opponent. Well, then we look at the second card. If we both have an ace, king high flush, then we look at the third card, and so on.

With 13 different cards and 4 suits, for 52 cards total, there is a total of 2,598,960 different possibilities of hands! Ever wonder why you never hit that straight flush? Well there are only 40 different straight flushes (including royal flushes) which means 40 out of over 2.5 million possibilities, for a grand total of a 0.00154% chance. Four of a kind is still rare, but over 15 times as likely, with 624 different combinations and a 0.024% chance. You have to play a lot of poker to be dealt those hands!

Looking for a place to learn, discuss, and talk about anything poker? Our poker forum has helped many players go from beginnners with $50 bankrolls, to very successful grinders, and even WSOP bracelet winners! Our very popular Beginners Circle is the perfect place for new players to learn basic strategy, gain advice from great players, and contains thousands of threads & articles written to give you a jump start on your poker journey. And best of all, FTR’s poker forum is 100% free. Don’t be a lurker, create an account and introduce yourself now!

New poker players should also educate themselves on the online poker welcome bonuses available to new members. FTR provides extensive details on how these work, but they basically provide cash back refunds on your poker fees and rakes.

 

Leave a Comment Below!

 

Submit your review
1
2
3
4
5
Submit
     
Cancel

Create your own review

Poker Hands
Average rating:  
 0 reviews