Understanding poker hand rankings is essential for any poker player. This complete guide covers all poker hands from highest to lowest, with examples and probabilities.
Poker Hands Ranked from Highest to Lowest
1. Royal Flush
A, K, Q, J, 10 all of the same suit. The best possible hand in poker. Probability: 0.000154%
2. Straight Flush
Five consecutive cards of the same suit. Example: 9♠ 8♠ 7♠ 6♠ 5♠. Probability: 0.00139%
3. Four of a Kind (Quads)
Four cards of the same rank. Example: K♠ K♥ K♦ K♣ 7♠. Probability: 0.024%
4. Full House (Full Boat)
Three of a kind plus a pair. Example: Q♠ Q♥ Q♦ 9♠ 9♥. Probability: 0.14%
5. Flush
Five cards of the same suit, not in sequence. Example: A♦ J♦ 8♦ 5♦ 2♦. Probability: 0.20%
6. Straight
Five consecutive cards of mixed suits. Example: 10♠ 9♥ 8♦ 7♣ 6♠. Probability: 0.39%
7. Three of a Kind (Trips/Set)
Three cards of the same rank. Example: 8♠ 8♥ 8♦ K♠ 4♣. Probability: 2.11%
8. Two Pair
Two different pairs. Example: J♠ J♥ 5♦ 5♣ 9♠. Probability: 4.75%
9. One Pair
Two cards of the same rank. Example: 10♠ 10♥ A♦ 8♣ 4♠. Probability: 42.26%
10. High Card
When you haven’t made any of the above hands. The highest card plays. Probability: 50.12%
Frequently Asked Questions
Does a flush beat a straight?
Yes, a flush beats a straight. A flush is harder to make, so it ranks higher.
What beats a full house?
Only four of a kind, a straight flush, or a royal flush beats a full house.
Is Ace high or low in poker?
Ace can be both. It’s high in A-K-Q-J-10 and low in A-2-3-4-5 (the wheel).
Basic Strategy for Poker Hand Rankings
1. Know Your Starting Hand Strength
Before the community cards are even dealt, understanding the potential of your two hole cards is paramount. Strong starting hands like a pair of Aces (AA), Kings (KK), Queens (QQ), or Ace-King suited (AKs) give you a significant advantage. Learning which hands are strong and which are weak pre-flop will help you decide whether to play, fold, or raise, setting the foundation for forming one of the top-ranked hands.
2. Understand Pot Odds and Implied Odds
When you’re trying to complete a drawing hand like a straight or a flush, understanding pot odds is crucial. Pot odds tell you whether you’re getting the correct price to call a bet relative to the probability of hitting your desired card. Implied odds consider the money you might win on future streets if you do hit your hand. This strategic concept helps you make profitable decisions when chasing a high-ranking hand.
3. Play Position Wisely
Your position at the table significantly impacts how you should play your hands. Acting later in a betting round gives you more information about your opponents’ actions and potential hand strength. This allows you to make more informed decisions about whether to continue pursuing a strong hand, or fold a weaker one, potentially saving you chips or maximizing your winnings.
4. Read the Board and Your Opponents
Always evaluate the community cards (the “board”) in conjunction with your hole cards to determine the best possible five-card hand. Additionally, consider what hands your opponents might have based on their betting patterns and the board texture. If the board shows three cards of the same suit, be wary of flushes. If it shows connected cards, straights are possible. This helps you avoid losing to a better hand and identify opportunities to bet when you likely have the best hand.
Common Mistakes Beginners Make
1. Overplaying Weak Hands
A common pitfall for beginners is staying in a hand too long with a weak pair or a mediocre kicker, hoping it will improve. While marginal hands can sometimes win, consistently playing them against multiple opponents without significant improvement often leads to losses. Learn to fold weak hands early to preserve your chip stack for more favorable situations.
2. Not Considering Opponents’ Possible Hands
Many beginners focus solely on their own hand without considering what their opponents might hold. If the board presents a clear straight or flush draw, and an opponent is betting aggressively, it’s a mistake to ignore the possibility that they’ve completed a strong hand or are drawing to one. Always think about the range of hands your opponents could have given the board and their actions.
3. Chasing Draws Incorrectly
While drawing to a straight or flush can be profitable, chasing them without the right pot odds is a common mistake. Calling large bets with a low probability of hitting your draw is a long-term losing strategy. Understand when it’s mathematically correct to chase a draw and when it’s better to fold.
4. Misreading the Board or Your Own Hand
In the heat of the moment, players can sometimes misread the community cards, mistakenly believing they have a better hand than they do, or overlooking a stronger hand they actually possess. Always double-check your best five-card combination, and be aware of all possible hands that can be made on the board, including those that might beat you.
More Frequently Asked Questions
What is a “kicker” and why is it important?
A kicker is a card in your five-card poker hand that is not part of a pair, three of a kind, or four of a kind, but still contributes to the overall strength of your hand. Kickers are crucial for breaking ties when two or more players have the same pair or three of a kind. For example, if two players both have a pair of Aces, the player with the higher kicker wins. A♥ A♠ K♦ 8♣ 4♠ beats A♥ A♠ Q♦ 8♣ 4♠.
How are ties broken if two players have the same hand ranking?
When two players have the exact same hand ranking (e.g., both have one pair, two pair, three of a kind, etc.), the winner is determined by the rank of the cards involved. If the ranks of the primary cards are the same, the kicker(s) come into play. If all five cards make the exact same hand (e.g., A-K-Q-J-10 of hearts vs. A-K-Q-J-10 of hearts), the pot is split. Suits never break ties in standard poker hand rankings.
Does the suit matter for a straight?
No, suits do not matter for a standard straight. A straight consists of five consecutive cards of mixed suits. For example, 10♠ 9♥ 8♦ 7♣ 6♠ is a straight. If all five consecutive cards were of the same suit, it would be a much stronger hand called a “straight flush,” which ranks significantly higher.
What is the best possible starting hand in Texas Hold’em?
In Texas Hold’em, the best possible two-card starting hand is a pair of Aces (A♠ A♣). This hand offers the highest probability of winning pre-flop and forms the strongest one-pair hand on most boards. Other premium starting hands include King-King (KK), Queen-Queen (QQ), and Ace-King suited (AKs).
