Poker Hands Ranked – What Beats What?
This complete list gives you the full rundown of possible hands in order – 💳 from the strongest to the weakest. Starting with the best poker hands, we’ll explain what each looks like and which 💳 other hands they beat
1. Royal Flush
Sitting at the very top of the poker hierarchy, you’ll find the royal flush. The 💳 strongest poker hand of all is a type of straight flush where you have A-K-Q-J-10 – all in the same 💳 suit.
What does Royal Flush beat?
As the highest poker hand, a royal flush beats every other hand your opponents might hold.
2. 💳 Straight Flush
A straight flush is made up of five consecutive cards, all in the same suit. For example, 9-8-7-6-5 all 💳 in diamonds.
What does straight flush beat?
This beats all other poker hands, except for a higher straight flush.
3. Four-of-a-Kind
A four of 💳 a kind in poker is simply four cards of the same value. So if you end up with 7-7-7-7-4 in 💳 your five-card hand, congratulations, you’ve got ‘quads’!
What does four-of-a-kind beat?
This is very often a winning poker hand, beating anything other 💳 than a straight/royal flush. If another player also has a four of a kind, the rank of the four cards 💳 will determine who wins. For example, J-J-J-J-4 beats A-7-7-7-7.
4. Full House
A full house poker hand is made up of a 💳 matching three of a kind together with a pair of a different value. For example, 10-10-10-8-8 – which is known 💳 as a ‘tens full of eights’.
Does a full house beat a straight?
Yes – a full house beats a poker straight. 💳 The only hands which can beat a full house are four of a kind, straight flush or royal flush. When 💳 two people have a full house, the highest three of a kind wins. If that rank happens to be the 💳 same, the one with the highest matching pair wins the hand.
5. Flush
A flush in poker consists of five cards which 💳 are all part of the same suit, but not in a consecutive order, such as A-K-8-7-3 in hearts.
Does a flush 💳 beat a full house?
No, a flush does not beat a full house – but it does beat a straight. In 💳 the case of a flush vs another flush, the hand with the highest card in the flush wins (e.g. A-10-7-4-3 💳 of diamonds beats K-10-7-4-3 of diamonds).
6. Straight
If you have a straight, you’ll hold five consecutive cards which are not all 💳 the same suit. For example, 8-7-6-5-4 in different suits. The highest possible straight sequence is A-K-Q-J-10.
What does straight beat?
A poker 💳 straight always beats a 3 of a kind, two pair or a single pair. It does not beat a flush 💳 or better.
7. Three-of-a-Kind
Just like its four card counterpart, a 3 of a kind consists of three cards of the same 💳 rank – for instance, your five-card hand contains 8-8-8-5-2.
What does 3-of-a-kind beat?
While it might not be one of the highest 💳 poker hands, 3 of a kind still beats two pairs, one pair and high card.
8. Two Pair
Two pair is exactly 💳 what it says on the tin – two pairs, each being a different rank. For example, 8-8-5-5-3 would be two 💳 pairs.
What does two pair beat?
Two pairs are better than one, so you’re sure to beat one pair.
9. One Pair
One pair 💳 is simply two cards of the same value, such as having two kings in your hand.
What does one pair beat?
One 💳 pair can only beat a high card or a lower value pair. But if you bluff hard enough, it could 💳 still be a winning poker hand.
10. High Card
High card is the lowest possible hand, made up of five cards which 💳 do not produce any of the above.
What does high card beat?
If you end up with a high card, you need 💳 to hope your opponents have this too, as even a pair beats it. When your opponents also lack so much 💳 as a pair, the highest value card wins.
Summary
Poker Hand Rankings are essential when playing Texas Hold'em, Five Card Stud, Omaha, 💳 and your favourite poker games. Most players rarely get to form a Royal Flush, a Straight Flush, or Four of 💳 a Kind – they are scarce hands in competitions. But, sometimes, a lowly poker hand played right can help you 💳 take down monster pots. It's not always about what you're holding; it's really about how well you play the players!
Download 💳 our poker hand rankings cheat sheet PDF for a quick way to reference how your hand stacks up.
See your web 💳 story regarding this subject.
