Poker hand rankings form the foundation of every poker game. Knowing which hands beat others and understanding their relative strength is essential for making profitable decisions at the table.
Understanding poker hand rankings is the first critical step toward becoming a competent poker player. Whether you are playing Texas Hold'em, Omaha, Seven-Card Stud, or any other poker variant, the hierarchy of hands remains consistent. This guide breaks down every poker hand from strongest to weakest, explains the odds of making each hand, and provides strategic insights to help you make better decisions at the table.
Poker hands are ranked according to their statistical rarity and strength. The rarer a hand is to make, the higher it ranks in the hierarchy. Every poker hand consists of exactly five cards, and when comparing hands of the same type, individual card ranks and kickers determine the winner. Mastering these rankings is not just about memorization but understanding the relative strength of your hand in different situations and against various opponent ranges.
The standard poker hand rankings apply to the most popular variants including Texas Hold'em, Omaha, Five-Card Draw, and Seven-Card Stud. While some poker variants like Lowball or High-Low Split use different ranking systems, the traditional high-hand rankings covered here form the foundation of mainstream poker.
There are ten distinct poker hand rankings, listed here from strongest to weakest. Understanding not just the order but the composition and frequency of each hand type is essential for strategic play.
The royal flush is the absolute strongest hand in poker and consists of ace, king, queen, jack, and ten, all of the same suit. This hand is unbeatable in standard poker games. The odds of being dealt a royal flush in a five-card hand are approximately 1 in 649,740, making it extraordinarily rare. In Texas Hold'em, the odds of making a royal flush by the river are roughly 1 in 30,940.
Because of its rarity, most poker players will go many sessions or even years without making a royal flush. When you do make one, the strategic consideration becomes maximizing value rather than protecting your hand, as nothing can beat it.
A straight flush consists of five consecutive cards of the same suit. For example, 9-8-7-6-5 of hearts is a straight flush. When two players have a straight flush, the one with the highest top card wins. The ace can be used as the lowest card in a straight flush, making 5-4-3-2-A of the same suit, known as a steel wheel or five-high straight flush.
The odds of making a straight flush are approximately 1 in 72,193 in a five-card deal. While still extremely rare, straight flushes occur more frequently than royal flushes. In practice, when you make a straight flush, you will almost always win the pot, though you must be aware of the possibility of a higher straight flush or royal flush on the board.
Four of a kind, also called quads, consists of four cards of the same rank plus one unrelated card. For example, four kings and a seven, or four threes and an ace. When comparing two four-of-a-kind hands, the hand with the higher-ranked set of four wins. If two players have the same four of a kind, which can only happen when the quads are on the board in community card games, the player with the higher fifth card, or kicker, wins.
The probability of being dealt four of a kind in a five-card hand is approximately 1 in 4,165. In Texas Hold'em, the odds improve slightly when considering all seven cards, occurring roughly once in every 595 hands. Four of a kind is a very strong hand that wins the vast majority of pots, though players should be cautious when four cards of the same rank appear on the board, as this means opponents can also have quads with a higher kicker.
A full house consists of three cards of one rank and two cards of another rank. For example, three jacks and two fives, or three twos and two aces. This hand is also called a boat or full boat. When comparing full houses, the hand with the higher three-of-a-kind wins. If two players have the same three of a kind, the hand with the higher pair wins.
The odds of being dealt a full house in five cards are approximately 1 in 694. In Texas Hold'em, full houses occur more frequently, roughly once in every 38 hands when considering all possible seven-card combinations. Full houses are strong hands that usually win at showdown, but players must be aware of the possibility of higher full houses, especially on paired boards where multiple full house combinations are possible.
The middle tier of poker hands includes flushes, straights, and three of a kind. These hands are strong enough to win many pots but vulnerable to higher combinations, requiring careful consideration of board texture and opponent actions.
A flush consists of five cards of the same suit, not in sequence. For example, A-J-9-5-3 of spades is a flush. When two players have flushes, the player with the highest card wins. If the highest cards are equal, the second-highest card is compared, and so on down to the fifth card if necessary.
The probability of being dealt a flush in five cards is approximately 1 in 509. Flushes are strong hands but can be tricky to play, especially when the board shows three or four cards of the same suit, making it possible for opponents to have higher flushes. The nut flush, which is a flush with the ace as the highest card, is significantly stronger than lower flushes because it cannot be beaten by another flush.
A straight consists of five consecutive cards of different suits. For example, 10-9-8-7-6 of mixed suits is a straight. The ace can be used as either the highest card in a straight, as in A-K-Q-J-10, or the lowest card, as in 5-4-3-2-A. When comparing straights, the straight with the highest top card wins.
The odds of making a straight in a five-card hand are approximately 1 in 255. Straights are moderately strong hands but are vulnerable to flushes, full houses, and higher straights. Players should be particularly cautious on boards that allow for multiple straight possibilities or when flush draws are present.
Three of a kind, also called trips or a set, consists of three cards of the same rank plus two unrelated cards. In community card games, there is an important distinction between a set, where you hold a pocket pair and match it with one board card, and trips, where two of the three matching cards are on the board. Sets are generally stronger because they are more disguised.
The probability of being dealt three of a kind in five cards is approximately 1 in 47. Three of a kind is a decent hand that often wins at showdown, but it is vulnerable to straights, flushes, and full houses. Players with three of a kind should be cautious on coordinated boards that allow for many drawing possibilities.
Every poker hand consists of exactly five cards, regardless of the variant you play. In games like Texas Hold'em and Omaha, you combine your hole cards with community cards to make the strongest possible five-card combination. The player with the highest-ranking hand at showdown wins the pot.
Hand rankings follow a strict hierarchy based on mathematical probability. Rarer hands rank higher than more common ones. When two players have the same hand type, the winner is determined by comparing the ranks of individual cards within that hand, starting with the highest card and moving down through kickers if necessary.
The bottom tier of poker hand rankings includes two pair, one pair, and high card. These hands win less frequently at showdown but are the most common holdings, making understanding their relative strength crucial for everyday poker decisions.
Two pair consists of two cards of one rank, two cards of another rank, and one unrelated card. For example, two kings, two fives, and a nine. When comparing two-pair hands, the hand with the highest pair wins. If the highest pairs are equal, the second pair is compared. If both pairs are identical, the kicker determines the winner.
The odds of being dealt two pair in five cards are approximately 1 in 21. Two pair is a moderately weak hand that often wins against single pairs and high cards but loses to three of a kind and better. Players should be cautious with two pair on coordinated boards where straights and flushes are possible, and should be aware that their hand may already be beaten if the board is paired or highly connected.
One pair consists of two cards of the same rank plus three unrelated cards. For example, two aces and three different cards, or two sevens with three kickers. When comparing one-pair hands, the hand with the higher pair wins. If the pairs are equal, the highest kicker is compared, then the second kicker, and finally the third kicker if necessary.
The probability of being dealt one pair in five cards is approximately 1 in 2.4, making it one of the most common poker hands. One pair frequently wins in small pots but is vulnerable to almost all other made hands. The strength of one pair varies dramatically based on the rank of the pair, with high pairs like aces or kings being significantly stronger than low pairs like threes or fours.
High card is the weakest possible poker hand and occurs when your five cards do not form any of the combinations listed above. The hand is ranked by its highest card, then the second-highest, and so on. For example, A-J-9-6-3 of mixed suits is an ace-high hand.
When no player makes a pair or better, the pot is won by the highest card. High card hands win the least frequently at showdown but are extremely common as starting hands and on early streets before draws complete. Understanding high card strength is important for bluffing situations and for knowing when to fold weak holdings.
Understanding the static rankings of poker hands is only the beginning. Skilled players evaluate hand strength dynamically based on position, opponent tendencies, board texture, and betting action. A hand that is strong in one situation may be weak in another.
Absolute hand strength refers to where your hand ranks in the hierarchy, while relative hand strength considers how your hand performs against your opponent's likely range. A flush may be strong in absolute terms, but if the board is paired and your opponent is betting aggressively, your flush may be weak in relative terms because full houses and four of a kind are possible.
Expert players constantly reassess relative hand strength as new information becomes available through betting patterns and additional community cards. A hand that was strong on the flop may become weak on the turn or river as the board develops and opponent ranges narrow.
Board texture dramatically affects hand strength. Dry boards with unconnected, unsuited cards favor high pairs and top pair hands. Wet boards with multiple straight and flush possibilities make even strong hands like two pair or sets vulnerable. Players must adjust their strategy based on how the board coordinates with possible opponent holdings.
Paired boards increase the likelihood of full houses and make flushes and straights less valuable. Monotone boards, where all cards are the same suit, make flushes more likely and reduce the value of straights and sets. Understanding these dynamics is essential for accurate hand reading and optimal decision-making.
Many poker situations involve drawing hands that are not yet complete but have the potential to improve to strong holdings. Flush draws and straight draws are common examples. While these hands may currently rank as only high card or one pair, their equity, or expected share of the pot based on their probability of improving, can make them profitable to continue with.
Calculating pot odds and comparing them to drawing odds is a fundamental poker skill. Players must understand how many outs they have, meaning cards that will improve their hand to a likely winner, and whether the pot is offering sufficient odds to justify calling bets while drawing.
While the standard hand rankings apply to most poker games, some variants use modified ranking systems or additional rules that affect hand evaluation.
In high-low split games like Omaha Hi-Lo and Seven-Card Stud Hi-Lo, the pot is divided between the best high hand and the best low hand. Low hands are evaluated differently, typically using the ace-to-five lowball system where straights and flushes do not count against you and the best possible low is 5-4-3-2-A, called a wheel.
Players in high-low games must evaluate their hands for both high and low potential, with hands that can win both directions, called scooping, being especially valuable. Understanding low hand rankings and qualification requirements is essential for these variants.
Short deck poker, also called six-plus hold'em, removes all cards below six from the deck. This changes the probabilities and hand rankings slightly. In most short deck variants, a flush beats a full house because flushes become rarer with fewer cards of each suit in the deck. Straights are also adjusted, with A-6-7-8-9 becoming the lowest possible straight.
Even experienced players sometimes make errors in hand evaluation, especially in complex situations with multiple possible combinations.
Beginning players often overvalue one pair hands, especially top pair, and have difficulty folding them even when facing significant aggression on dangerous boards. While top pair is often good enough to win in small pots, it should be played cautiously in large pots against tight opponents or on coordinated boards.
Kicker strength is frequently overlooked but often determines the winner when players have the same pair or two pair. Playing hands with weak kickers, such as ace-rag combinations, can lead to dominated situations where you have the same pair as your opponent but lose because of a weaker side card.
Misreading the board and incorrectly identifying your hand strength is a costly error. Players sometimes miss straights or flushes, either overestimating their hand when the board makes a better hand possible or underestimating their hand by not recognizing they have made a strong combination. Careful attention to board texture and methodical hand evaluation prevents these mistakes.
Mastering poker hand rankings is fundamental to playing winning poker. While memorizing the hierarchy from royal flush to high card is straightforward, understanding the strategic implications of hand strength in different situations separates skilled players from beginners. Hand strength is not absolute but relative to board texture, opponent ranges, and betting action. Successful players constantly reassess their hand strength as new information becomes available and make disciplined decisions based on both the cards they hold and the story their opponents are telling through their actions. By combining solid knowledge of hand rankings with strategic thinking about relative strength, board texture, and opponent tendencies, you can make more profitable decisions and improve your overall poker results.
The royal flush is the rarest hand in poker, consisting of A-K-Q-J-10 all of the same suit. The odds of being dealt a royal flush in a five-card hand are approximately 1 in 649,740.
Yes, a flush beats a straight in standard poker hand rankings. A flush consists of five cards of the same suit, while a straight is five consecutive cards of mixed suits.
When two players have the same hand type, the winner is determined by comparing the ranks of cards within that hand. For example, with two pairs, the highest pair is compared first, then the second pair, then the kicker. If all cards are identical, the pot is split.
Yes, an ace can be used as the lowest card in a straight, making 5-4-3-2-A the lowest possible straight, also called a wheel. The ace can also be the highest card in a straight, as in A-K-Q-J-10.
A kicker is a card that does not directly contribute to your hand ranking but is used to break ties when players have the same hand type. For example, if two players both have one pair of kings, the player with the higher kicker wins.
In Texas Hold'em, considering all seven cards available by the river, you will make a full house approximately once every 38 hands on average. The exact frequency depends on your starting hand selection and playing style.
Both are three of a kind, but a set occurs when you hold a pocket pair and match it with one community card, while trips occur when two of the three matching cards are on the board. Sets are generally stronger because they are more concealed.
No, in standard poker all suits have equal value. When comparing hands, suits are only relevant for determining if a hand is a flush or straight flush, not for ranking between hands of the same type.
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