Every move, every bluff, and every bet comes down to one critical factor in poker: your hand strength.
In Texas Hold’em, Omaha, and most other variants of the game, the winner is determined by who has the best five-card combination at showdown.
That means if you don’t know the hand rankings by heart, you are at a serious disadvantage.
In this guide, we will break down each hand ranking in order and explain why certain hands beat others.
What Are Poker Hand Rankings?
Poker hand rankings are a hierarchy of card combinations, used to compare hands and determine which player wins the pot. The strength of a hand is based on rarity, the less likely it is to appear, the stronger it ranks. For example, a Royal Flush is extremely rare and thus beats all other hands.
Let’s walk through these hands, starting from the strongest.
1. Royal Flush
Definition: A Royal Flush consists of A, K, Q, J, and 10, all of the same suit.
Example: A♠ K♠ Q♠ J♠ 10♠
Strength: This is the strongest possible hand in poker.
Why it beats everything: It’s a special type of straight flush, and there is no hand that can top it.
Odds: ~1 in 649,740 hands (in Texas Hold’em)
Tip: Don’t expect to see this often—it’s more of a poker legend than a regular occurrence.
2. Straight Flush
Definition: Five consecutive cards of the same suit.
Example: 9♣ 8♣ 7♣ 6♣ 5♣
What it beats: Everything except a Royal Flush.
Ranking within the hand: The highest card in the straight determines the strength. For example, a 9-high straight flush beats a 7-high straight flush.
Tip: This hand is rare but incredibly strong. If you suspect an opponent has a flush or straight, and you hold both, it’s usually time to bet big.
3. Four of a Kind (Quads)
Definition: Four cards of the same rank, plus one side card (kicker).
Example: 8♣ A♠ A♣ A♥ A♣
What it beats: All hands except Straight Flush and Royal Flush.
Tiebreaker: If two players have quads (very rare), the higher rank wins. If the ranks are the same, the kicker (5th card) decides.
Strategy Tip: Quads are nearly unbeatable unless the board makes it easy for opponents to have the same hand. Trap opponents when possible and let them do the betting.
4. Full House
Definition: A combination of three cards of one rank and two cards of another.
Example: 10♠ 10♦ K♣ K♥ K♠
Ranking rules: The hand is ranked by the three-of-a-kind first, then by the pair.
Beats: Flush, Straight, and anything below.
Tip: Full Houses can be deceptive, if you’re holding a strong one and the board is paired, don’t be afraid to raise or even shove.
5. Flush
Definition: Five cards of the same suit, but not in sequential order.
Example: Q♣ 8♣ 3♣ 6♣ 4♣
Ranking rules: The flush with the highest top card wins. If needed, the next highest cards are compared.
What it beats: Straight and all hands below it.
Common Misconception: Many beginners think a Flush beats a Full House. It doesn’t.
Strategy Tip: When the board is showing three or more cards of the same suit, be cautious—someone might have the flush already.
6. Straight
Definition: Five cards in numerical order, but not all the same suit.
Example: 2♦ 3♠ 4♣ 5♦ 6♥
Ace Special Rule: The Ace can be high (10-J-Q-K-A) or low (A-2-3-4-5), but never both.
Ranking rules: The higher the top card, the stronger the straight.
Tip: Watch for ‘scary’ boards where a straight is possible, especially connected and rainbow ones like 6♠ 7♦ 8♣.
7. Three of a Kind
Definition: Three cards of the same rank, and two unrelated cards.
Example: J♠ J♦ J♥ 5♣ 8♦
Also Known As: “Trips” (using one board card + two in hand) or a “Set” (when you have a pocket pair and hit one on board).
What it beats: Two Pair and anything lower.
Tip: Sets are more disguised than trips and often win big pots. Don’t overplay trips on coordinated boards.
8. Two Pair
Definition: Two cards of one rank, two cards of another, plus one kicker.
Example: 6♣ 6♦ 10♠ 10♥ K♣
Ranking rules:
- Compare the highest pair
- If tied, compare the second pair
- If still tied, compare the kicker
Tip: Don’t overcommit with the bottom two pair on draw-heavy boards. You might be in trouble against straights or better two pair.
9. One Pair
Definition: Two cards of the same rank and three unrelated cards.
Example: 2♠ 6♥ 8♦ A♣ A♠
What it beats: Only high card hands.
Ranking rules: Higher pairs win. If tied, use the highest kicker.
Tip: Don’t rely on small pairs post-flop. They often get outdrawn or dominated.
10. High Card
Definition: Any hand that doesn’t qualify for a higher category. The strongest single card determines the hand’s strength.
Example: A♠ J♦ 9♣ 5♥ 3♠ (This is Ace-high)
What it beats: Only other High Card hands with lower high cards.
Tip: If you’re playing High Card at showdown, you’re probably bluff-catching or hoping the opponent missed everything too.
How to Use These Rankings in Poker Games
Here’s how to practically apply these rankings at the table:
- Read the Board to Identify Possible Stronger Hands
One of the most overlooked skills is learning to assess the board. Board texture can drastically affect your hand’s value. If the board is paired (e.g., 9♣ 9♠ 4♥), you should be cautious about possible full houses. If the board is coordinated (e.g., 10♠ J♠ Q♠), you must consider straights and flushes. Your hand might be strong in isolation, but relatively weak compared to what the board makes possible.
- Use Hand Strength to Guide Your Decisions
In poker, the decisions to bet, check, call, raise, or fold should be influenced by where your hand stands in the hierarchy. Top-tier hands like a full house or straight flush can be played aggressively. Medium-strength hands like top pair or two pair often require a more measured approach. Weaker holdings such as bottom pair or ace-high may be best suited for folding or used in bluffing spots depending on the situation.
- Don’t Forget the Kicker
As per poker rules, when two players share a similar hand (like both holding top pair), the kicker, the highest unpaired card that’s not part of the main combination, often becomes the deciding factor. A strong kicker can win you the pot in tight situations. If you have King-Queen on a King-high board and your opponent has King-Ten, your Queen kicker makes the difference.
FAQs
Q: What beats what in a poker chart?
A: A poker chart ranks all hands from strongest to weakest, helping players quickly see what hand beats another. At the top is the Royal Flush, followed by Straight Flush, Four of a Kind, Full House, Flush, Straight, Three of a Kind, Two Pair, One Pair, and finally High Card. Each hand beats all those ranked below it.
Q: Does a flush beat a full house?
A: No. A full house beats a flush. Although both are strong hands, a full house is statistically rarer and therefore ranks higher. Remember: Full House = Three of a Kind + a Pair, while a Flush is just five cards of the same suit.
Q: What is a kicker in poker?
A: A kicker is a side card that helps break ties between hands of the same rank. For example, if two players have One Pair of Kings, the player with the higher kicker (like an Ace vs. a 9) wins. Kickers can often determine close-call showdowns.
Understanding what beats what in poker is more than just memorizing a list. It’s about reading the board, evaluating your hand in context, and anticipating what your opponents might be holding.
The more comfortable you get with these hands, the more confident, and profitable, you will become at the tables. Keep following our Poker Learning Page for strategy articles.
