An ace-high straight flush, commonly known as a royal flush, is the best possible hand in many variants of poker.
In 6️⃣ poker, players form sets of five playing cards, called hands, according to the rules of the game.[1] Each hand has 6️⃣ a rank, which is compared against the ranks of other hands participating in the showdown to decide who wins the 6️⃣ pot.[2] In high games, like Texas hold 'em and seven-card stud, the highest-ranking hands win. In low games, like razz, 6️⃣ the lowest-ranking hands win. In high-low split games, both the highest-ranking and lowest-ranking hands win, though different rules are used 6️⃣ to rank the high and low hands.[3][4]
Each hand belongs to a category determined by the patterns formed by its cards. 6️⃣ A hand in a higher-ranking category always ranks higher than a hand in a lower-ranking category. A hand is ranked 6️⃣ within its category using the ranks of its cards. Individual cards are ranked, from highest to lowest: A, K, Q, 6️⃣ J, 10, 9, 8, 7, 6, 5, 4, 3 and 2.[5] However, aces have the highest rank under ace-to-five high 6️⃣ or six-to-ace low rules, or under high rules as part of a five-high straight or straight flush.[6][7] Suits are not 6️⃣ ranked, so hands that differ by suit alone are of equal rank.[8]
There are nine categories of hand when using a 6️⃣ standard 52-card deck, except under ace-to-five low rules where straights, flushes and straight flushes are not recognized. An additional category, 6️⃣ five of a kind, exists when using one or more wild cards. The fewer hands a category contains, the higher 6️⃣ its rank.[9] There are 52 ! ( 52 − 5 ) ! = 311,875,200 {\displaystyle {\begin{matrix}{\frac {52!}{(52-5)!}}=311{,}875{,}200\end{matrix}}} ways to deal 6️⃣ five cards from the deck but only 52 ! ( 52 − 5 ) ! 5 ! = 2,598,960 {\displaystyle 6️⃣ {\begin{matrix}{\frac {52!}{(52-5)!5!}}=2{,}598{,}960\end{matrix}}} distinct hands, because the order in which cards are dealt or arranged in a hand does not matter.[10] 6️⃣ Moreover, since hands differing only by suit are of equal rank, there are only 7,462 distinct hand ranks.[11]
Hand-ranking categories [ 6️⃣ edit ]
* Only possible when using one or more wild cards ** Category does not exist under ace-to-five low rules
Five 6️⃣ of a kind [ edit ]
Five of a kind, aces
Five of a kind is a hand that contains five cards 6️⃣ of one rank, such as 3♥ 3♦ 3♣ 3♠ 3 ("five of a kind, threes"). It ranks above a straight 6️⃣ flush but is only possible when using one or more wild cards, as there are only four cards of each 6️⃣ rank in the deck.[6] Five of a kind, aces, A♥ A♦ A♣ A♠ Jkr, becomes possible when a joker is 6️⃣ added to the deck as a bug, a form of wild card that may act as a fifth ace.[5] Other 6️⃣ wild card rules allow jokers or other designated cards to represent any card in the deck, making it possible to 6️⃣ form five of a kind of any rank.[12]
Each five of a kind is ranked by the rank of its quintuplet. 6️⃣ For example, Q♠ Q♥ Q♣ Q♦ Q ranks higher than 6♣ 6♠ 6♦ 6♥ 6.[6][13]
Straight flush [ edit ]
A jack-high 6️⃣ straight flush
A straight flush is a hand that contains five cards of sequential rank, all of the same suit, such 6️⃣ as Q♥ J♥ 10♥ 9♥ 8♥ (a "queen-high straight flush").[4] It ranks below five of a kind and above four 6️⃣ of a kind.[5] Under high rules, an ace can rank either high (as in A♥ K♥ Q♥ J♥ 10♥, an 6️⃣ ace-high straight flush) or low (as in 5♦ 4♦ 3♦ 2♦ A♦, a five-high straight flush), but cannot simultaneously rank 6️⃣ both high and low (so Q♣ K♣ A♣ 2♣ 3♣ is an ace-high flush, but not a straight).[6][13] Under deuce-to-seven 6️⃣ low rules, an ace always ranks high (so 5♠ 4♠ 3♠ 2♠ A♠ is an ace-high flush). Under ace-to-six low 6️⃣ rules, an ace always ranks low (so A♥ K♥ Q♥ J♥ 10♥ is a king-high flush).[14] Under ace-to-five low rules, 6️⃣ straight flushes are not possible (so 9♣ 8♣ 7♣ 6♣ 5♣ is a nine-high hand).[7]
Each straight flush is ranked by 6️⃣ the rank of its highest-ranking card. For example, 10♣ 9♣ 8♣ 7♣ 6♣ ranks higher than 8♥ 7♥ 6♥ 5♥ 6️⃣ 4♥, which ranks higher than 6♠ 5♠ 4♠ 3♠ 2♠. Straight flush hands that differ by suit alone, such as 6️⃣ 7♦ 6♦ 5♦ 4♦ 3♦ and 7♠ 6♠ 5♠ 4♠ 3♠, are of equal rank.[6][13]
An ace-high straight flush, such as 6️⃣ A♦ K♦ Q♦ J♦ 10♦, is called a royal flush or royal straight flush and is the best possible hand 6️⃣ in ace-high games when wild cards are not used.[5][15][16] A five-high straight flush, such as 5♥ 4♥ 3♥ 2♥ A♥, 6️⃣ is called a steel wheel and is both the best low hand and usually the best high hand of the 6️⃣ showdown in ace-to-five high-low split games.[4]
Four of a kind [ edit ]
Four of a kind, fives
Four of a kind, also 6️⃣ known as quads, is a hand that contains four cards of one rank and one card of another rank (the 6️⃣ kicker), such as 9♣ 9♠ 9♦ 9♥ J♥ ("four of a kind, nines"). It ranks below a straight flush and 6️⃣ above a full house.[5]
Each four of a kind is ranked first by the rank of its quadruplet, and then by 6️⃣ the rank of its kicker. For example, K♠ K♥ K♣ K♦ 3♥ ranks higher than 7♥ 7♦ 7♠ 7♣ Q♥, 6️⃣ which ranks higher than 7♥ 7♦ 7♠ 7♣ 10♠. Four of a kind hands that differ by suit alone, such 6️⃣ as 4♣ 4♠ 4♦ 4♥ 9♣ and 4♣ 4♠ 4♦ 4♥ 9♦, are of equal rank.[6][13]
Full house [ edit ]
A 6️⃣ full house, sixes over kings
A full house, also known as a full boat or a tight or a boat (and 6️⃣ originally called a full hand), is a hand that contains three cards of one rank and two cards of another 6️⃣ rank, such as 3♣ 3♠ 3♦ 6♣ 6♥ (a "full house, threes over sixes" or "threes full of sixes" or 6️⃣ "threes full").[17][18] It ranks below four of a kind and above a flush.[5]
Each full house is ranked first by the 6️⃣ rank of its triplet, and then by the rank of its pair. For example, 8♠ 8♦ 8♥ 7♦ 7♣ ranks 6️⃣ higher than 4♦ 4♠ 4♣ 9♦ 9♣, which ranks higher than 4♦ 4♠ 4♣ 5♣ 5♦. Full house hands that 6️⃣ differ by suit alone, such as K♣ K♠ K♦ J♣ J♠ and K♣ K♥ K♦ J♣ J♥, are of equal 6️⃣ rank.[6][13]
Flush [ edit ]
A jack-high flush
A flush is a hand that contains five cards all of the same suit, not 6️⃣ all of sequential rank, such as K♣ 10♣ 7♣ 6♣ 4♣ (a "king-high flush" or a "king-ten-high flush").[19] It ranks 6️⃣ below a full house and above a straight.[5] Under ace-to-five low rules, flushes are not possible (so J♥ 8♥ 4♥ 6️⃣ 3♥ 2♥ is a jack-high hand).[7]
Each flush is ranked first by the rank of its highest-ranking card, then by the 6️⃣ rank of its second highest-ranking card, then by the rank of its third highest-ranking card, then by the rank of 6️⃣ its fourth highest-ranking card, and finally by the rank of its lowest-ranking card. For example, K♦ J♦ 9♦ 6♦ 4♦ 6️⃣ ranks higher than Q♣ J♣ 7♣ 6♣ 5♣, which ranks higher than J♥ 10♥ 9♥ 4♥ 2♥, which ranks higher 6️⃣ than J♠ 10♠ 8♠ 6♠ 3♠, which ranks higher than J♥ 10♥ 8♥ 4♥ 3♥, which ranks higher than J♣ 6️⃣ 10♣ 8♣ 4♣ 2♣. Flush hands that differ by suit alone, such as 10♦ 8♦ 7♦ 6♦ 5♦ and 10♠ 6️⃣ 8♠ 7♠ 6♠ 5♠, are of equal rank.[6][13]
Straight [ edit ]
A ten-high straight
A straight is a hand that contains five 6️⃣ cards of sequential rank, not all of the same suit, such as 7♣ 6♠ 5♠ 4♥ 3♥ (a "seven-high straight"). 6️⃣ It ranks below a flush and above three of a kind.[5] Under high rules, an ace can rank either high 6️⃣ (as in A♦ K♣ Q♣ J♦ 10♠, an ace-high straight) or low (as in 5♣ 4♦ 3♥ 2♥ A♠, a 6️⃣ five-high straight), but cannot simultaneously rank both high and low (so Q♠ K♠ A♣ 2♥ 3♦ is an ace-high hand).[6][13] 6️⃣ Under deuce-to-seven low rules, an ace always ranks high (so 5♥ 4♠ 3♥ 2♣ A♦ is an ace-high hand). Under 6️⃣ ace-to-six low rules, an ace always ranks low (so A♣ K♠ Q♠ J♦ 10♠ is a king-high hand).[14] Under ace-to-five 6️⃣ low rules, straights are not possible (so 10♥ 9♠ 8♣ 7♣ 6♦ is a ten-high hand).[7]
Each straight is ranked by 6️⃣ the rank of its highest-ranking card. For example, J♥ 10♥ 9♣ 8♠ 7♥ ranks higher than 10♠ 9♠ 8♣ 7♥ 6️⃣ 6♠, which ranks higher than 6♣ 5♠ 4♥ 3♠ 2♦. Straight hands that differ by suit alone, such as 9♣ 6️⃣ 8♣ 7♣ 6♦ 5♦ and 9♠ 8♠ 7♠ 6♥ 5♥, are of equal rank.[6][13]
An ace-high straight, such as A♣ K♣ 6️⃣ Q♦ J♠ 10♠, is called a Broadway straight,[20] while a five-high straight, such as 5♠ 4♦ 3♦ 2♠ A♥, is 6️⃣ called a baby straight,[21] bicycle or wheel and is the best possible hand in ace-to-five low games (where it is 6️⃣ a high card hand, not a straight).[22][23]
Three of a kind [ edit ]
Three of a kind, queens
Three of a kind, 6️⃣ also known as trips or a set, is a hand that contains three cards of one rank and two cards 6️⃣ of two other ranks (the kickers), such as 2♦ 2♠ 2♣ K♠ 6♥ ("three of a kind, twos" or "trip 6️⃣ twos" or a "set of twos"). It ranks below a straight and above two pair.[5]
Each three of a kind is 6️⃣ ranked first by the rank of its triplet, then by the rank of its highest-ranking kicker, and finally by the 6️⃣ rank of its lowest-ranking kicker. For example, 6♥ 6♦ 6♠ Q♣ 4♠ ranks higher than 3♦ 3♠ 3♣ K♠ 2♠, 6️⃣ which ranks higher than 3♦ 3♠ 3♣ J♣ 7♥, which ranks higher than 3♦ 3♠ 3♣ J♠ 5♦. Three of 6️⃣ a kind hands that differ by suit alone, such as 9♠ 9♥ 9♦ 10♦ 8♥ and 9♣ 9♠ 9♥ 10♦ 6️⃣ 8♦, are of equal rank.[6][13]
In community card games, such as Texas hold 'em, three of a kind is called a 6️⃣ set only when it comprises a pocket pair and a third card on the board.[24]
Two pair [ edit ]
Two pair, 6️⃣ jacks and threes
Two pair is a hand that contains two cards of one rank, two cards of another rank and 6️⃣ one card of a third rank (the kicker), such as J♥ J♣ 4♣ 4♠ 9♥ ("two pair, jacks and fours" 6️⃣ or "two pair, jacks over fours" or "jacks up").[17][25] It ranks below three of a kind and above one pair.[5]
Each 6️⃣ two pair is ranked first by the rank of its higher-ranking pair, then by the rank of its lower-ranking pair, 6️⃣ and finally by the rank of its kicker. For example, 10♦ 10♠ 2♠ 2♣ K♣ ranks higher than 5♣ 5♠ 6️⃣ 4♦ 4♥ 10♥, which ranks higher than 5♣ 5♠ 3♣ 3♦ Q♠, which ranks higher than 5♣ 5♠ 3♣ 3♦ 6️⃣ J♠. Two pair hands that differ by suit alone, such as K♦ K♠ 7♦ 7♥ 8♥ and K♣ K♠ 7♣ 6️⃣ 7♥ 8♣, are of equal rank.[6][13]
One pair [ edit ]
One pair, tens
One pair, or simply a pair, is a hand 6️⃣ that contains two cards of one rank and three cards of three other ranks (the kickers), such as 4♥ 4♠ 6️⃣ K♠ 10♦ 5♠ ("one pair, fours" or a "pair of fours"). It ranks below two pair and above high card.[5]
Each 6️⃣ one pair is ranked first by the rank of its pair, then by the rank of its highest-ranking kicker, then 6️⃣ by the rank of its second highest-ranking kicker, and finally by the rank of its lowest-ranking kicker. For example, 9♣ 6️⃣ 9♦ Q♠ J♥ 5♥ ranks higher than 6♦ 6♥ K♠ 7♥ 4♣, which ranks higher than 6♦ 6♥ Q♥ J♠ 6️⃣ 2♣, which ranks higher than 6♦ 6♥ Q♠ 8♣ 7♦, which ranks higher than 6♦ 6♥ Q♦ 8♥ 3♠. One-pair 6️⃣ hands that differ by suit alone, such as 8♠ 8♦ 10♥ 6♣ 5♠ and 8♥ 8♣ 10♣ 6♠ 5♣, are 6️⃣ of equal rank.[6][13]
High card [ edit ]
High card, king
High card, also known as no pair or simply nothing, is a 6️⃣ hand that does not fall into any other category, such as K♥ J♥ 8♣ 7♦ 4♠ ("high card, king" or 6️⃣ "king-jack-high" or "king-high").[17][26] Note that under ace-to-five low rules, straights, flushes and straight flushes are not possible, so such hands 6️⃣ are instead high card hands.[7] It ranks below one pair.[5]
Each high card hand is ranked first by the rank of 6️⃣ its highest-ranking card, then by the rank of its second highest-ranking card, then by the rank of its third highest-ranking 6️⃣ card, then by the rank of its fourth highest-ranking card, and finally by the rank of its lowest-ranking card. For 6️⃣ example, K♠ 6♣ 5♥ 3♦ 2♣ ranks higher than Q♠ J♦ 6♣ 5♥ 3♣, which ranks higher than Q♠ 10♦ 6️⃣ 8♣ 7♦ 4♠, which ranks higher than Q♥ 10♥ 7♣ 6♥ 4♠, which ranks higher than Q♣ 10♣ 7♦ 5♣ 6️⃣ 4♦, which ranks higher than Q♥ 10♦ 7♠ 5♠ 2♥. High card hands that differ by suit alone, such as 6️⃣ 10♣ 8♠ 7♠ 6♥ 4♦ and 10♦ 8♦ 7♠ 6♣ 4♣, are of equal rank.[6][13]
Under deuce-to-seven low rules, a seven-five-high 6️⃣ hand, such as 7♠ 5♣ 4♦ 3♦ 2♣, is the best possible hand.[27] Under ace-to-six low rules, where aces have 6️⃣ the lowest rank, a six-four-high hand, such as 6♣ 4♠ 3♥ 2♥ A♦, is the best possible hand.[28] Under ace-to-five 6️⃣ low rules, where aces have the lowest rank and straights, flushes and straight flushes are not possible, a five-high hand, 6️⃣ such as 5♣ 4♠ 3♥ 2♥ A♦ or 5♠ 4♠ 3♠ 2♠ A♠, commonly known as a bicycle or wheel, 6️⃣ is the best possible hand.[7][22]
See also [ edit ]
References [ edit ]
