Getting Started: The Hierarchy of Poker Hands
In case you haven't played any poker before, or just need a review,
following is the hierarchy of hands. If you haven't already, your
first task is to MEMORIZE this list. The best hand is a straight-flush,
and so on down the list.
(h = hearts, c = clubs, d = diamonds, s = spades, T = 10)
1. Straight-flush.
All five cards are not only of the same suit but they are also in
sequential rank.
Example: Ac Kc Qc Jc Tc or 8d 7d 6d 5d 4d
2. Four-of-a-kind
Four of your five cards are of the same rank.
Example: 9c 9d 9s 9h 2h
3. Full-house
Three of your five cards are of the same rank, and the other two are
equal each other in rank.
Example: Qh Qs 3s 3h 3d
4. Flush
All five cards are of the same suit.
Example: 2h 7h 9h Jh Ah
5. Straight
All five cards are sequential in rank.
Example: Qd Jh Td 9s 8s
6. Three-of-a-kind
Three of your five cards are of the same rank.
Example: 7h 7d 7s Ah 4d
7. Two Pair
Two cards are equal to each other in rank, and two other cards are
also equal to each other in rank.
Example: Kd Kh 3s 3d 8h
8. One Pair
Two cards that are equal each other in rank.
Example: 9h 9d Qs 4h 5d
9. High Card
At least one card in your hand is higher than the highest card in
an opponent's hand.
Example: As 7s 4d 3c 2c beats Kd Js 9h 7c 4h
In the case that two opponents both have a flush, for example,
or both have a three-of-a-kind, the player with the higher flush,
or higher three-of-a-kind wins. Here are a few examples to consider:
- 9c 9d 9s 9h 2h beats 4d 4h 4c 4s As
- 4d 4h 4c 4s As beats 4d 4h 4c 4s Ks
- 2h 7h 9h Jh Ah beats 2h 7h 9h Jh Kh
- Qd Jh Td 9s 8s beats Jh Td 9s 8s 7d
- 7h 7d 7s Ah 4d beats 7h 7d 7s Jh 4d
- Kd Kh 3s 3d 8h beats Qd Qh 3s 3d 8h
- Kd Kh 3s 3d 8h beats Kd Kh 3s 3d 7h
That's basically all there is to it. Because of the community cards,
it can often be difficult for beginners to know exactly what they
have, and harder still to know when they are tied with another player.
To this end, we suggest that all new players take a look at the
‘Reading the Board’ quiz.
MORE LESSONS
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