Poker Hand Rankings

In a game of poker, the dealer uses a standard deck of 52 playing cards. Jokers are never used, and all suits are classed the same — one is not superior to the others. Instead, the card values are crucial: holding certain cards in a specific order can mean the difference between winning and losing. 

Depending on the poker game you are playing, aces can be high or low. Face cards are vital for a royal flush, and they can be used to build other poker hands, too. 

The number of cards dealt to each player can vary from game to game. In 5 Card Draw, for example, players receive 5 cards.

The royal flush is the best hand you can make in poker games such as Texas Hold ‘em. A royal flush contains a 10, J, Q, K, and A of the same suit (e.g. spades or hearts). Building a royal flush can make you a winner, as it can never be beaten (even by other high-ranking poker hands).

The straight flush is one of the best poker hands possible: it contains five cards of the same suit in sequential order. For example, that could be a 4-5-6-7-8 of hearts. Only a higher straight flush (6, 7, 8, 9, 10) or a royal flush can beat a good straight flush.

A four of a kind hand is made up of four cards that match numerically. You would need, say, an 8 of clubs, 8 of spades, 8 of hearts, and an 8 of diamonds to create a four of a kind.

Poker hand rankings start to get a bit more complex with the full house. This features a combination of three of a kind and a pair. That might be three kings and two 10s, for example, or three aces and a pair of 7s.

A flush is made up of five cards of the same suit in no particular order. That could be a 4-6-8-10 and a king of hearts. If two or more players in a game of poker have a flush, the player with the highest-ranked card in the flush wins.

This poker hand features five cards in sequential order, regardless of the suit. For instance, you could create a straight with 5 of diamonds, 6 of clubs, 7 of hearts, 8 of spades, and 9 of diamonds. The straight with the highest card wins if more than one player has this hand.

As the name implies, three of a kind refers to a hand containing three cards with matching numbers (e.g. 8-8-8-10-Q). As the numbers have to be identical, the suits are irrelevant. If multiple players have a three of a kind, the hand with the highest kicker (see ‘What are Ties and Kickers?’ section below) wins.

A two-pair hand has two different pairs of cards. That could be a hand containing two 7 cards, two 10 cards, and a king. If multiple players have two pairs, the hand with the stronger pair wins (e.g. 8-8-10-10-Q beats 4-4-5-5-J).

Any hand containing two numerically equal cards (e.g. two kings) has a pair. This is the most common card combination in poker hands, which is why it is ranked so low. If more than one player has a pair, the hand with the stronger combination of five cards overall is the winner.

The high card is the lowest hand you can make in Texas Hold ‘em and other poker games. It contains only a high card, with no other hands. Ace is the highest card and a 2 is the lowest.