Hand Ranking
The aim in Poker is to build the best possible 5-card-hand from a predetermined hierarchy of winning hands. Although their order may change between variants, most Poker games use a standard Poker hand ranking, and this is the ranking that is explained here. The strength of a hand depends on either the suit of the cards, their value, or whether or not their values are consecutive, and you can read what is required of each hand in the ranking below, along with visual examples. The Royal Flush is the highest ranking Poker hand because it combines all three elements that determine a hand’s strength; matching suit, matching card value and consecutive card values. Basically, it includes the five highest consecutive card values, suited, them being 10, Jack, Queen, King and Ace. A straight flush is the second highest ranking Poker hand, and contains five consecutive suited cards. For example, diamond suited 6, 7, 8, 9 and 10. In general, a Straight Flush is stronger when the card values are higher. Four of a Kind (a.k.a. “Quads”) is the third highest ranking Poker hand. It contains four cards of the same value, for example, four queens. If two players both have hands of this kind, then the value of their fifth cards will determine which hand is stronger. A Full House ranks just below the 4 of a Kind, and includes three cards of the same value, and two other cards of matching value. For example, three 6’s and two Queens. A Flush is a hand that contains five different cards that are all of the same suit. For example, a 6, 7, 10, King and Ace – all suited in diamonds. It ranks below a Full House. A straight hand holds five differently suited cards which have a sequential order in value. For example, an 8, 9, 10, Jack and Queen, all with different suits. Here an Ace can be used as either a high card or a low card. 3 of a Kind (a.k.a. “Trips”) has three cards of the same value and two unmatched cards. For example, three 7’s with a 2 and a Queen. The higher the card values, the better the 3 of a Kind. Two Pair is when you hold two pairs of cards, when in each pair the cards are matched in value. For example, two 6’s and two Queens. It is the third lowest ranking hand. A Pair is the second lowest ranking Poker hand, and means that your hand includes two cards of the same value – two Queens, for example. The higher their value, the better the Pair is. A High Card is the lowest ranking Poker hand, and basically refers to a hand that lacks any matching cards with regards to suit, value and consecutiveness. It is therefore not a winning Poker hand. Poker Hand Rankings
Royal Flush
Straight Flush
Four of a Kind
Full House
Flush
Straight
3 of a Kind
Two Pair
Pair
High Card
