By Aditya Pathak Whats New | Updated On: Jun 28, 2023 08:21 PM
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Understanding poker hands and their rankings is one of the most crucial elements in playing the game. Whether you’re a novice player still learning the ropes or a seasoned veteran at the poker table, your success hinges on understanding these poker hands and how they stack up against each other.
To begin, it’s essential to note that a standard deck of 52 cards is used in poker game, with each card having one of four suits: clubs, diamonds, hearts, or spades. There are 13 ranks, ranging from the lowest, i.e. 2, to the highest, an ace. However, the ace can also be used as a low card in forming a straight or a straight flush.
10 Poker Hands Ranking From Highest to Lowest
A poker hand consists of five playing cards. The different hands are, from highest to lowest:
- Royal Flush
- Straight Flush
- Four of a Kind
- Full House
- Flush
- Straight
- Three of a Kind
- Two Pair
- One Pair
- High Card
Royal Flush
A ‘Royal Flush’ is the highest hand in poker. It’s a type of straight flush but consists of the top cards (Ace, King, Queen, Jack, and 10) and all in the same suit. For instance, if your hand is Ace, King, Queen, Jack, and 10 of Hearts, you’ve got a Royal Flush. It’s the unbeatable hand, the highest one can attain in a game of poker.
Straight Flush
Just below the Royal Flush is the ‘Straight Flush.’ This hand comprises five consecutive cards of the same suit, such as 6, 7, 8, 9, and 10 of spades. A key point to remember is that the Ace can be used to form the lowest straight flush (A, 2, 3, 4, 5 of the same suit), referred to as a “five high” straight flush.
Four of a Kind
Next comes ‘Four of a Kind’, which, as the name suggests, contains four cards of the same rank as any other card. For instance, four 8s and any other card will give you a Four of a Kind.
Full House
A ‘Full House’ comes next in the ranking, which includes three cards of the same rank and two cards of a different but matching rank. A good example is three 7s and two Kings, often written as “7s full of Kings.”
Flush
Following the Full House, we have the ‘Flush.’ A flush contains five cards of the same suit, not in sequence. If the cards were in sequence, it would form a Straight Flush or a Royal Flush.
Straight
Next up is a ‘Straight’, which involves five consecutive cards of any suit. Just like in the Straight Flush, an Ace can be used either at the beginning of the sequence (A, 2, 3, 4, 5) or at the end (10, J, Q, K, A).
Three of a Kind
‘Three of a Kind’ comes next, and it’s composed of three cards of the same rank and two unrelated cards, like three Queens and any two other cards.
Two Pair
A ‘Two Pair’ hand consists of two cards of one rank, two cards of a different rank, and one unrelated card. An example would be two 6s, two Jacks, and any other card.
One Pair
‘One Pair’ contains two cards of the same rank and three unrelated cards, for example, two Aces and any three other cards.
High Card
Finally, when a hand doesn’t fall into any of the categories above, it’s classified as a ‘High Card’. The value of such a hand is determined by the highest card it contains.
To sum up, it’s the Royal Flush that holds the throne in poker hand rankings. However, while it’s the best hand, it’s also the rarest. Other hands, such as Straight Flush, Four of a Kind, and Full House, are not as high ranking but are more common. Understanding these poker hands and their hierarchy can significantly improve your poker strategy and increase your chances of outwitting your opponents. Poker is not merely a game of chance; it’s a test of patience, strategy, and skill.
Also Read About:- 13 Best Card Games to Play in 2023
Poker Hands FAQs
What are the poker hands in order?
The poker hands in order from highest to lowest are: Royal Flush, Straight Flush, Four of a Kind, Full House, Flush, Straight, Three of a Kind, Two Pair, One Pair, and High Card.
What are good poker hands?
Good Poker Hands: Good poker hands include Royal Flush, Straight Flush, Four of a Kind, and Full House. However, the value of a hand can depend on the variation of poker you’re playing.
What is a high poker hand?
A high poker hand refers to a hand like a Royal Flush, Straight Flush, or Four of a Kind. These are some of the highest-ranking hands in poker.
What is the best suit in poker?
Best Suit in Poker: In poker, no suit is “better” or more valuable than another. All suits – diamonds, clubs, hearts, and spades – are considered equal.
What are the 5 hand poker rankings?
5 Hand Poker Rankings: In a 5-card poker game, the hands are ranked as follows (from highest to lowest): Royal Flush, Straight Flush, Four of a Kind, Full House, and Flush.
What are the three best hands in poker?
Three Best Hands in Poker: The three best hands in poker are, in order: Royal Flush, Straight Flush, and Four of a Kind.
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