Poker 101 – Poker Hand Rankings

The first step to learning poker is to understand the hand rnakings. While different games of poker have different rules, they all use the same hand rankings. A poker hand is made up of exactly 5 cards, and the winning hand is determined by the sequenceof cards in the hand. Here’s a guide to the hand rankings, starting with the lowest…

• HIGH CARD

If no higher hand is help by a player, then the best hand is determined by the highest single hand help by a player. If two players hold the same high card, the winner is determined by the second highest, then third etc. For example 3-4-6-9-J would beat 4-5-7-8-J even though both hands would be referred to as “Jack high”

• ONE PAIR

A pair is simply 2 cards of the same rank, such as Ace-Ace or 7-7. The highest pair wins, in the event of a tie then the highest other card, known as a “kicker” determines the winner. For example the hand A-A-K-7-4 would be known as a pair of aces with a king kicker, and would beat a hand such as A-A-Q-J-10

• TWO PAIR

Two pairs such as 4-4-9-9-J

• THREE OF A KIND

Also known as a set, or trips, this is three cards of the same rank. For example 7-7-7-5-3

• STRAIGHT

Also known as a run, this is 5 cards in numerical sequence but not all of the same suit. For example 4-5-6-7-8

• FLUSH

Five cards, not in numerical sequence, but all of the same suit.

• FULL HOUSE

Essentially a three of a kind and a pair, such as Q-Q-Q-3-3

• FOUR OF A KIND

Also called quads, this is four cards of the same rank such as 2-2-2-2-7

• STRAIGHT FLUSH

This is a straight where all of the cards are of the same suit. For example 8-9-10-J-Q of diamonds.

• ROYAL FLUSH

This is really just a straight flush from 10 – ace but because it’s so rare (and unbeatable) it gets a special name!

Now that might seem like a lot to remember, but don’t worry it won’t take you long to get your head around it. If you’re just learning poker then why not print this page out. If you’re playing online you can have it right in front of you while you play and nobody will know! If you’re playing in a home game I’m sure the other players won’t mind you referring to this guide while you’re picking the game up.