When playing poker, understanding the ranking of hands is essential. Whether you’re playing Texas Hold’em, Omaha, or any other variant, knowing the hand rankings is key to making smart betting decisions and strategising. Here’s a breakdown of poker hand rankings, from the highest to the lowest, so you can confidently assess your hand in any game.
1. Royal Flush
The Royal Flush is the highest-ranking hand in poker. It consists of the Ace, King, Queen, Jack, and Ten, all of the same suit. This hand is extremely rare and unbeatable. No other hand outranks a Royal Flush.
2. Straight Flush
A Straight Flush is made up of five consecutive cards of the same suit. For example, 9♠ 8♠ 7♠ 6♠ 5♠ is a Straight Flush. While still rare, it’s slightly more common than a Royal Flush. If two players have a Straight Flush, the one with the highest card wins.
3. Four of a Kind (Quads)
Four of a Kind, or “quads”, consists of four cards of the same rank, plus one other card. For instance, four Kings and any other card make this hand. If two players have Four of a Kind, the player with the higher-ranking quads wins. If both have the same quads, the kicker (the fifth card) determines the winner.
4. Full House
A Full House is made up of three cards of one rank and two cards of another rank. For example, three Queens and two Fives form a Full House. In case of a tie, the player with the higher set of three wins. If these are equal, the pair is compared.
5. Flush
A Flush consists of five cards of the same suit, but not in sequence. The highest card in the flush determines its strength. If two players have a Flush, the highest-ranking card wins. If the top cards are equal, the next highest card is compared, and so on.
6. Straight
A Straight is five cards in consecutive order, but from different suits. For example, 8♠ 7♥ 6♦ 5♣ 4♠ is a Straight. The value of a Straight is determined by its highest card. In case of a tie, the player with the higher top card wins.
7. Three of a Kind
Known as “Trips,” Three of a Kind consists of three cards of the same rank and two other unrelated cards. If two players have Three of a Kind, the higher set of three wins. If the three cards are the same, the kickers are compared.
8. Two Pair
This hand contains two pairs of cards of the same rank. For instance, a pair of Jacks and a pair of Fours makes a Two Pair. The player with the higher-ranking pair wins. If both players have the same top pair, the second pair is compared. If both pairs are equal, the kicker decides the winner.
9. One Pair
One Pair consists of two cards of the same rank and three unrelated cards. For example, two Aces with a 9, 6, and 3 would be a One Pair hand. If two players have One Pair, the highest pair wins. If the pairs are the same, the kickers are compared to determine the winner.
10. High Card
If no player has any of the hands above, the winner is determined by the highest card in their hand. For example, if you hold an Ace and your opponent has a King, you win. If players have the same high card, the next highest card is compared, and so on.
Tiebreakers and Kickers
In poker, ties between hands are common. If hands have the same rank, the kicker (the highest unpaired card) breaks the tie. For example, if two players have a pair of Aces, the kicker determines the winner. Similarly, in hands like a Flush or Straight, if the main hand is the same, the highest card in the combination breaks the tie.
