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Poker Hand Rankings

Poker Hand Rankings: an Illustrated Guide to the Rank Of Hands in Poker

From the best poker hand (Royal Flush), to the marginal High Card, here is the rank of hands in poker:

Royal Flush

The Royal Flush is the best hand in poker. It consists of five suited cards running ten through ace. Land this one and you've won!

Straight Flush

The Straight Flush consists of five cards of the same suit running in order, for example 2c-3c-4c-5c-6c.

Four of a Kind

Four of a Kind (also known as 'Quads') consists of four cards of the same numerical or picture value. If two players hold quads, the card with the highest rank wins the pot. The illustration is shown with an Ace kicker card.

Full House

Also known as a 'Boat', the Full House consists of three cards of one rank and two of another. If, for example a player holds A-A-A-7-7, this is referred to as a 'full house, aces over sevens.' If his / her opponent holds 7-7-7-A-A, this is known as a 'full house, sevens over aces.' The former hand beats the latter.

Flush

A Flush consists of five cards of the same suit - they can be of any rank, but in the event that two or more players draw a flush, the hand with the highest card in their flush wins.

Straight

A straight is a hand containing five running cards of any suit. Aces can be either high or low, for example T-J-Q-K-A or A-2-3-4-5. If more than one player holds a straight, the hand with the highest card wins.

Three of a Kind

Three of a Kind is often referred to as 'trips' or 'a set.' This hand consists of three cards of the same numerical order. If more than one player holds trips, the hand with the highest numerical value wins. If they are of the same numerical value, the player with the best kicker card wins (for example 7-7-7 with a King kicker beats 7-7-7 with a Queen kicker).

Two Pair

Two Pair consists of four cards of which two combinations contain a pair, for example K-K-9-9. The fifth card makes the kicker, so if two players hold K-K-9-9 then the player with the highest fifth card wins.

Pair

A Pair consists of two cards of the same numerical or picture value. If two players hold a pair then the player with the highest value pair wins the hand. If both players hold the same pair, then the player with the highest kicker card wins.

High Card

If none of the above hands have been made, the pot is decided by the highest card held by the players. Aces are high.