Complete Guide to Poker Hand Rankings
Before starting to play, the most important thing to understand
is poker hand ranking. The rankings described here apply to all of the most
common poker games, including Texas Holdem, Omaha, Stud and Draw.
Below is a list of poker hand rankings from strongest to weakest.
If any of the terms used below don't make sense, please see our Glossary of poker terms for assistance.
Royal Flush
This poker hand is an Ace-high straight, all of the same suit.
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Straight Flush
This is also a suited flush, although
the high card in the straight is not an Ace.
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Four-of-a-Kind
Four cards of the same face value or
rank. If there is a Four- of-a-Kind on the board, then the poker player
with highest kicker wins the pot.
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Full House
Three-of-a-kind and a pair. If two
players have Full Houses, the poker player with the higher three of a kind
breaks the tie.
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Flush
Five cards of the same suit not in
sequential order. If two players have flushes, the poker player with the
highest card wins. If need be, the second highest card, third highest card, etc can be used
to break a tie.
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Straight
Five cards in sequential order of
different suits. An Ace can be used as the high card or low card.
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Three-of-a-Kind
Three of the same face card or rank. If
two or more poker players tie, the highest kicker plays.
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Two Pair
Two different pairs of cards of the same value or rank. If two players share
the same top pair, the poker player with the larger bottom pair wins. If two
players have the same two pair, the highest kicker plays.
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Pair
Two cards of the same rank. If two
players have the same pair, the highest
kicker plays. |
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High Card
This means that no player has connected
with the board. The poker player with the highest card that plays is
the winner.
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Understanding Poker Hand Rankings Can Help You Win
When you can develop your own strategy and plan how to play your hand you know you've become a real poker player. It's hard to compete in poker effectively if you don't know how your cards can be combined for a win. Once you get familiar with this important part of poker you can play more effectively.
