A “High Card” refers to a poker hand that contains no pair, no straight, no flush, and no other recognized poker hand combination. It is the lowest possible hand ranking in most poker variants. When a player has a High Card hand, the strength of their hand is determined solely by their highest-ranking individual card, and if multiple players have High Card hands, the winner is determined by comparing the highest card, then the next highest, and so on.
Example
Imagine a Texas Hold’em game where the community cards are 9♠ 7♦ 4♣ 2♥ J♠.
- Player A has A♥ K♦. Their best five-card hand is A♥ K♦ J♠ 9♠ 7♦ (Ace-high).
- Player B has K♣ Q♥. Their best five-card hand is K♣ Q♥ J♠ 9♠ 7♦ (King-high).
In this scenario, both players have only a High Card hand. Player A’s Ace-high beats Player B’s King-high because an Ace is a higher-ranking card than a King.
Strategy Tip
Having a High Card hand is generally a very weak position in poker. Unless you are playing against opponents who are clearly bluffing or who also have extremely weak hands, you should be very cautious about betting or calling significant amounts with only a High Card. It’s often best to fold a High Card hand, especially if there has been any significant action in the pot, as the chances of someone else holding at least a pair are high. The only times a High Card might win is if all other players fold or also have a High Card hand that is worse than yours.
FAQ
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Q1: What beats a High Card hand?
A: Any pair or any higher-ranking poker hand combination will beat a High Card hand. This includes a pair (e.g., two Aces), two pair, three of a kind, a straight, a flush, a full house, four of a kind, a straight flush, or a royal flush.
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Q2: How is a tie broken between two High Card hands?
A: If two or more players have High Card hands, the winner is determined by comparing the highest card in each hand. If those are the same, the next highest card is compared, and so on, down to the fifth card. For example, Ace-King-Queen-Jack-9 beats Ace-King-Queen-Jack-8. If all five cards are identical, the pot is split.
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Q3: Can a High Card hand ever win a significant pot?
A: While rare, a High Card hand can win a pot, especially if all other players fold before the showdown or if all remaining players at the showdown also have High Card hands worse than yours. In some cases, a well-timed bluff with a High Card can also succeed, forcing opponents with stronger but unmade hands to fold. However, relying on a High Card to win is generally not a profitable long-term strategy.