When starting out in poker, understanding hand rankings is one of the most crucial aspects of the game. Whether you’re playing Texas Hold’em or Pot-Limit Omaha, knowing the strength of each hand can give you a significant edge over other beginners.
Here is a report on hand ranking from the highest hand of Royal Flush to the lowest, High Card.
- Royal Flush
A Royal Flush is the rarest and most powerful hand in poker. In fact, your chances of being struck by lightning are higher than hitting a Royal Flush! This hand consists of the five highest-ranking cards in the same suit: Ace, King, Queen, Jack, and Ten—for example, A♥ K♥ Q♥ J♥ 10♥.
- Straight Flush
A Straight Flush is the second-strongest hand in poker and can beat any hand except a Royal Flush. It consists of five consecutive cards of the same suit, such as 10♦ 9♦ 8♦ 7♦ 6♦. A higher Straight Flush, like J♠ 10♠ 9♠ 8♠ 7♠, would beat a lower one.
- Four of a Kind
Also known as “quads,” this hand includes four cards of the same rank and one unrelated card called the kicker. For example, K♠ K♦ K♣ K♥ 9♣. If both have the same quads, the kicker decides the winner.
- Full House
A Full House consists of three cards of one rank and two cards of another rank—for instance, 10♦ 10♠ 10♣ J♠ J♦. If two players hold Full Houses, the one with the higher three-of-a-kind wins. For example, A♠ A♥ A♣ beats 10♠ 10♦ 10♥.
- Flush
A Flush is made up of any five cards of the same suit, not in sequential order. For example: A♠ K♠ 3♠ 8♠ 9♠. If two players have a Flush, the hand with the highest top card wins.
- Straight
A Straight consists of five consecutive cards of different suits. For instance: A♠ K♣ Q♦ J♥ 10♠. In case of a tie, the straight with the highest-ranking top card wins.
- Three of a Kind
This hand has three cards of the same rank and two unrelated cards. An example would be J♣ J♦ J♥ 4♠ 5♦. If more than one player has Three of a Kind, the highest set wins.
- Two Pair
Two Pair consists of two different pairs plus one unrelated card. For example, 9♦ 9♠ 10♣ 10♥ 2♠. If multiple players have Two Pair, the highest pair is compared first, followed by the second pair and finally the kicker if necessary.
- One Pair
One Pair is made up of two cards of the same rank and three unrelated cards. For example: A♠ A♦ 7♣ 2♠ 9♦. If more than one player has One Pair, the highest pair wins; if tied, the kickers determine the winner.
- High Card
A High Card is the weakest possible hand in poker. It occurs when no combination can be made. For instance, if you hold 7♠ 2♦ and the board doesn’t help, your highest card (in this case, a 7) is all you’ve got.
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