Poker Hands Ranked: From Highest to Lowest
Discover poker hands ranked from best to worst. Learn what hands beat what in poker, with charts and tips to enhance your strategy and gameplay.
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Royal Flush
The Royal Flush is the best hand in poker. It consists of five consecutive cards of the same suit, from 10 to Ace (A-K-Q-J-10). This hand beats every other hand in poker.
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Straight flush
A Straight Flush is any five consecutive cards of the same suit, such as 9-8-7-6-5 of diamonds. The only hands that beat a straight flush are a higher straight flush or a royal flush.
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Four of a Kind
Four of a Kind, or quads, is four cards of the same rank, like 7-7-7-7-4. This hand is beaten only by a straight flush or higher.
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Full house
A Full House combines three of a kind and a pair, such as 10-10-10-8-8. It beats a flush but loses to four of a kind.
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Flush
A Flush consists of five cards of the same suit, not in sequence, like A-K-8-7-3 of hearts. It beats a straight but loses to a full house.
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Straight
Five cards of consecutive numerical value composed of more than one suit. An ace can normally rank as low (below a 2) or high (above a king) but not at the same time in one hand.
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Three of a kind
A poker hand containing three cards of the same rank in three different suits. The two highest available cards besides the three of a kind complete the hand.
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Two pair
Two different sets of two cards of matching rank. The highest-ranked left available card completes the hand.
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Pair
A pair of cards of the same rank in different suits. The remainder of the hand is formed from the three highest-ranked cards available.
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High card
The lowest-ranked hand available. The highest card in the hand is your ‘best hand’. In this case it's the king of spades.
Poker hand-rankings cheat sheet:
Our poker hands ranking cheat sheet is a great aid to help you commit the poker hand rankings to memory and will serve you well whether you are playing
Poker Hands FAQ
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In poker, the hands are ranked from highest to lowest as follows: Royal Flush, Straight Flush, Four of a Kind, Full House, Flush, Straight, Three of a Kind, Two Pair, One Pair, and High Card.
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In poker, the hands you should consider playing include strong starting hands like pairs (especially high pairs), high suited connectors, and high cards of the same suit.
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In poker, hands beat each other in the following order: Royal Flush > Straight Flush > Four of a Kind > Full House > Flush > Straight > Three of a Kind > Two Pair > One Pair > High Card.
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To play poker hands effectively, learn the hand rankings, understand the betting rules, pay attention to position, read opponents, and practice good bankroll management.
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Poker hands are ranked based on the rarity and difficulty of achieving them, with Royal Flush being the highest and High Card being the lowest.