The Ultimate Guide to Poker Hands

Poker is a popular card game that is enjoyed by millions of people around the world. One of the most important aspects of the game is understanding the different hands and how they rank against each other. In this comprehensive guide, we’ll take a look at the different types of hands in poker, from the best hand to the worst, and explain the rules for determining the winner in each case.

What Are Poker Hands?

Poker hands are the combination of cards that a player holds in their hand. The objective of the game is to create the best possible five-card hand, which will be compared to the hands of other players. The player with the highest-ranked hand wins the pot.

The Ranking System for Poker Hands

The ranking system for poker hands is determined by the combination of cards and their values. The highest-ranked hand is a Royal Flush, followed by a Straight Flush, Four of a Kind, Full House, Flush, Straight, Three of a Kind, Two Pair, One Pair, and High Card.

Understanding the Ranking of Poker Hands

In poker, each hand is ranked based on its combination of cards. The highest ranked hand is the royal flush, which consists of the Ace, King, Queen, Jack, and 10 of the same suit. The lowest ranked hand is the high card, which is a hand that does not have any matching cards or runs, and is simply the highest card in the hand.

The Best Poker Hands: Royal Flush

The royal flush is the highest ranked hand in poker and is an extremely rare hand to get. It consists of the Ace, King, Queen, Jack, and 10 of the same suit. This hand is considered unbeatable and is the only hand that can beat a straight flush.

The Second Best Poker Hand: Straight Flush

A straight flush is a hand that consists of five cards of the same suit, in numerical order. For example, if a player has the 5 of hearts, 6 of hearts, 7 of hearts, 8 of hearts, and 9 of hearts, they have a straight flush. This hand ranks just below the royal flush and is considered one of the best hands in poker.

Third Best Hand: Four of a Kind

Four of a kind is a hand that consists of four cards of the same rank and one card of a different rank. For example, if a player has four 8’s and a Queen, they have four of a kind. This hand is considered very strong and is one of the most desirable hands in poker.

Fourth Best Hand: Full House

A full house is a hand that consists of three cards of the same rank and two cards of another rank. For example, if a player has three 8’s and two Queens, they have a full house. This hand is considered a strong hand and is one of the more common hands in poker.

Fifth Best Hand: Flush

A flush is a hand that consists of five cards of the same suit, but not in numerical order. For example, if a player has the 2 of hearts, 5 of hearts, 9 of hearts, Jack of hearts, and King of hearts, they have a flush. This hand is considered a strong hand and is one of the more common hands in poker.

Sixth Best Hand: Straight

A straight is a hand that consists of five cards in numerical order, but not of the same suit. For example, if a player has the 5 of hearts, 6 of spades, 7 of clubs, 8 of diamonds, and 9 of hearts, they have a straight. This hand is considered a strong hand and is one of the more common hands in poker.

Seventh Best Hand: Three of a Kind

Three of a kind is a hand that consists of three cards of the same rank and two cards of different ranks. For example, if a player has three 8’s and two Kings, they have three of a kind. This hand is considered a medium strength hand and is one of the more common hands in poker.

Eighth Best Hand: Two Pair

Two Pair is a hand that consists of two cards of the same rank and two cards of another rank and one card of a different rank. This hand is ranked higher than One Pair and is considered a strong hand.

Nineth Best Hand: One Pair

One Pair is a hand that consists of one pair of cards of the same rank and three cards of different ranks. This hand is ranked higher than a High Card and is considered a weak hand.

Tenth Best Hand: High Card

A High Card is a hand that does not fall into any of the above categories. The ranking of this hand is determined by the value of the highest card in the hand.

Conclusion

In conclusion, understanding poker hands and the ranking system is a crucial part of becoming a successful poker player. By familiarizing yourself with the different types of hands and their rankings, you’ll be able to make informed decisions at the table and increase your chances of winning.