Complete Hand Rankings
From strongest to weakest
| Rank | Hand | Description | Example |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Royal Flush | A, K, Q, J, 10 of same suit | A♠ K♠ Q♠ J♠ 10♠ |
| 2 | Straight Flush | Five cards in sequence, same suit | 9♥ 8♥ 7♥ 6♥ 5♥ |
| 3 | Four of a Kind | Four cards of same rank | K♠ K♥ K♦ K♣ 5♠ |
| 4 | Full House | Three of a kind + a pair | Q♣ Q♥ Q♦ 7♠ 7♣ |
| 5 | Flush | Five cards of same suit | A♦ J♦ 9♦ 6♦ 2♦ |
| 6 | Straight | Five cards in sequence | 10♠ 9♥ 8♣ 7♦ 6♠ |
| 7 | Three of a Kind | Three cards of same rank | 8♠ 8♥ 8♦ K♠ 4♣ |
| 8 | Two Pair | Two different pairs | J♠ J♦ 5♥ 5♣ A♠ |
| 9 | One Pair | Two cards of same rank | 10♥ 10♦ K♠ 7♣ 4♠ |
| 10 | High Card | Highest card when no other hand | A♠ Q♦ 9♣ 6♥ 3♠ |
Understanding Poker Hand Rankings
In Texas Hold'em and most poker variants, understanding hand rankings is the fundamental first step. Hands are ranked based on their statistical rarity - the harder a hand is to make, the higher it ranks. A Royal Flush occurs roughly once in 30,000 hands, while a pair happens about once every 2.4 hands.
When multiple players have the same ranked hand (like two players with flushes), the winner is determined by comparing the highest cards in each hand. For example, an Ace-high flush beats a King-high flush. If the highest cards are equal, compare the next highest, and so on.
Memorizing these rankings is essential before playing poker. New players should study this chart until hand rankings become second nature, as you need to instantly recognize hand strength during gameplay.
Detailed Hand Explanations
1. Royal Flush - The Unbeatable Hand
A Royal Flush is the absolute best hand in poker: A-K-Q-J-10 all of the same suit. This hand cannot be beaten, only tied by another Royal Flush. The odds of being dealt a Royal Flush in Texas Hold'em are approximately 1 in 30,940 hands. When you flop or turn a Royal Flush, you have the nuts - the absolute best possible hand.
2. Straight Flush - Five in a Row, Same Suit
A Straight Flush is five consecutive cards of the same suit. For example, 9♥-8♥-7♥-6♥-5♥. The highest straight flush (excluding Royal Flush) is K-Q-J-10-9, called a "King-high straight flush." An Ace can be used low (A-2-3-4-5, called a "wheel") or high, but not in the middle (K-A-2-3-4 is not a straight).
3. Four of a Kind (Quads)
Four cards of the same rank plus any fifth card. The odds are approximately 1 in 594. When comparing two four of a kinds, the higher rank wins (four Kings beats four Queens). The fifth card (kicker) only matters if both players have the same four of a kind on the board.
4. Full House (Boat)
Three cards of one rank and two cards of another rank. When comparing full houses, first compare the three of a kind portion (Q-Q-Q-7-7 beats J-J-J-A-A because Queens beat Jacks). Only if the trips are equal do you compare the pair.
5. Flush - Five of the Same Suit
Any five cards of the same suit, not in sequence. Compare by highest card, then second highest, etc. A♠-J♠-9♠-5♠-3♠ beats K♠-Q♠-J♠-9♠-8♠ because the Ace is higher than the King. Suits are never used to break ties in standard poker.
6. Straight - Five in a Row
Five consecutive cards of mixed suits. Ace can be high (10-J-Q-K-A) or low (A-2-3-4-5), but not both. When comparing straights, the highest top card wins. A-K-Q-J-10 (called "Broadway") is the best straight, while A-2-3-4-5 (the "wheel") is the worst.
7. Three of a Kind (Trips or Set)
Three cards of the same rank. In Texas Hold'em, "trips" refers to having one card in your hand matching two on the board, while a "set" means you have a pocket pair that matches one board card. Sets are more disguised and valuable.
8. Two Pair
Two cards of one rank and two cards of another. Compare by highest pair first, then second pair, then kicker. J-J-5-5-A beats J-J-4-4-K because the fives beat the fours.
9. One Pair
Two cards of the same rank. Compare by pair rank first, then by kickers. 10-10-K-7-4 beats 10-10-Q-9-8 because the King kicker beats the Queen.
10. High Card (No Pair)
When you don't have any of the above hands, your hand is valued by its highest card. A-Q-9-6-3 is called "Ace-high." If two players both have Ace-high, compare the second card, then third, etc.
Frequently Asked Questions
What beats what in poker?
Each hand beats all hands ranked below it. Royal Flush beats everything, Straight Flush beats everything except Royal Flush, Four of a Kind beats Full House and below, etc. Within the same hand type, compare cards as described above.
Does a flush beat a straight?
Yes, a flush (five cards of the same suit) beats a straight (five consecutive cards). This is because flushes are statistically rarer than straights. In Texas Hold'em, you'll make a straight about 1.3% of the time but a flush only 1.0% of the time.
What if two players have the same hand?
Compare the highest cards in each hand. For pairs, compare the pair rank then kickers. For two pairs, compare highest pair, then second pair, then kicker. For flushes and straights, compare the highest card. If all cards are equal, the pot is split.
Can suits break ties?
No, in standard poker rules, suits have no ranking. If two players have the exact same hand with the same card values, they split the pot equally. Suits only matter for determining flushes and straight flushes.
What is the most common hand?
High card (no pair) is the most common outcome, occurring about 50% of the time by the river in Texas Hold'em. One pair is second most common at about 42%. Together, these two hand types account for over 90% of all final hands.