When it comes to playing poker, understanding the different hand rankings is essential. Whether you’re playing Texas Hold’em, Omaha, or any other variant, knowing the strength of your hand can make all the difference in whether you win or lose. In this article, we’ll break down some of the most common poker hands and their rankings.
Royal Flush
The Royal Flush is the best hand you can have in poker. It is a straight flush that runs from the 10 to the Ace, all of the same suit. This hand is incredibly rare and is almost unbeatable. If you have a Royal Flush, you can be confident that you have the winning hand.
Straight Flush
The Straight Flush is the next best hand after the Royal Flush. It is five cards in a sequence, all of the same suit. For example, 5-6-7-8-9 of hearts. The higher the top card in the sequence, the stronger the hand. A Straight Flush beats all other hands except for a Royal Flush.
Four of a Kind
Four of a Kind is a hand that contains four cards of the same rank, such as four Aces. The fifth card, known as the kicker, can be of any rank. If two players have Four of a Kind, the player with the higher rank wins.
Full House
A Full House is a hand that contains three cards of one rank and two cards of another rank. For example, three Kings and two Sevens. The strength of a Full House is determined by the rank of the three cards. If two players have a Full House, the player with the higher ranking three cards wins.
Flush
A Flush is a hand that contains five cards of the same suit, but not in sequence. The strength of a Flush is determined by the highest card in the hand. If two players have a Flush, the player with the highest card wins.
Straight
A Straight is a hand that contains five cards in sequence, but not all of the same suit. The rank of the highest card in the sequence determines the strength of the hand. In the event of a tie, the player with the higher ranking card wins.
Three of a Kind
Three of a Kind is a hand that contains three cards of the same rank, such as three Tens. The remaining two cards, known as kickers, do not match. If two players have Three of a Kind, the player with the higher ranking set of three cards wins.
Two Pair
Two Pair is a hand that contains two cards of one rank and two cards of another rank, with one kicker. For example, two Queens, two Fives, and a Ten. The strength of a Two Pair is determined by the higher-ranking pair. If two players have the same Two Pair, the player with the higher fifth card wins.
One Pair
One Pair is a hand that contains two cards of the same rank, with three kickers. The strength of a One Pair is determined by the rank of the pair. If two players have the same pair, the player with the higher-ranking kickers wins.
High Card
If no player has any of the above hands, the winning hand is determined by the highest card in their hand. The strength of the High Card hand is determined by the rank of the highest card. If two players have the same high card, the second-highest card is compared, and so on until a winner is determined.
Now that you have a better understanding of the common poker hands and their rankings, you can use this knowledge to your advantage at the poker table. Remember, poker is a game of skill and strategy, so use these hand rankings to make informed decisions and increase your chances of winning.
