What Are Poker Hands?
Poker hands are the combinations of cards that determine who wins each round of poker. Understanding poker hands ranking is fundamental to playing any poker game, whether it's Texas Hold'em, Omaha, or Seven-Card Stud. This comprehensive guide will teach you everything you need to know about poker hands.
Royal Flush
The absolute best poker hand. Five cards of the same suit in sequence from 10 to Ace.
Straight Flush
Five cards in sequence, all of the same suit. Second only to Royal Flush.
Four of a Kind
Four cards of the same rank, plus any fifth card (the kicker).
Full House
Three cards of one rank and two cards of another rank.
Flush
Five cards of the same suit, not in sequence.
Straight
Five cards in sequence, but not the same suit.
Three of a Kind
Three cards of the same rank, plus two unrelated cards.
Two Pair
Two cards of one rank, two cards of another rank, plus one unrelated card.
One Pair
Two cards of the same rank, plus three unrelated cards.
High Card
No matching cards. The highest card in your hand wins.
Poker Hand Ranking Rules
When comparing poker hands, follow these rules:
- Higher ranking beats lower ranking: A flush always beats a straight, regardless of the card values.
- Same hand type: Compare the highest cards first, then the next highest, and so on.
- Kickers matter: When hands are otherwise equal, the highest unmatched card (kicker) decides the winner.
- Suit doesn't matter: Except in flush hands, suits have no ranking (all suits are equal).
Texas Hold'em Poker Hands Examples
In Texas Hold'em, you use the best 5-card combination from your 2 hole cards and 5 community cards. Here are some examples:
Your Hole Cards: A♠ K♠
Community Cards: Q♠ J♠ 10♠ 7♦ 3♣
Best Hand: Royal Flush (A♠ K♠ Q♠ J♠ 10♠)
Your Hole Cards: 8♥ 8♦
Community Cards: 8♣ K♠ Q♠ J♦ 9♥
Best Hand: Four of a Kind (8♥ 8♦ 8♣) with K♠ kicker
Your Hole Cards: A♣ 10♣
Community Cards: K♣ Q♣ J♣ 7♦ 3♠
Best Hand: Royal Flush (A♣ K♣ Q♣ J♣ 10♣)
Poker Hands Strategy Tips
🎯 Starting Hands Matter
Focus on premium starting hands like pocket aces, kings, queens, and ace-king. These give you the best chance to win.
🃏 Position is Power
Playing from late position allows you to see what your opponents do first, giving you more information to make better decisions.
💰 Pot Odds
Always consider the pot odds when deciding whether to call a bet. If the pot offers good odds, it might be worth chasing a draw.
🎭 Reading Opponents
Pay attention to betting patterns and try to put your opponents on ranges of hands rather than specific hands.
Ready to Test Your Poker Knowledge?
Try our interactive poker quiz and hand generator to practice what you've learned!