Poker Hand Ranking

It’s been said that the game of poker takes a minute to learn. It really is true and one of the first pieces of information you need to know is poker hand ranking. After all, you can’t win if you don’t know what hand is better. Here is a quick and simple poker hand ranking list.

High Card: When you don’t have one of the following hands, your highest card is rank of the hand. This is the worst hand in poker.

One Pair: You have one pair when you have two cards of the same rank. For example, two 7’s.

Two Pair: Two pairs is two sets of cards of the same rank. For example, two 3’s and two 6’s.

Three of a Kind: Three cards of the same rank, like three 10s.

Straight: Five cards in sequential order. The Ace can be used before the two or after the King.

Flush: Five cards of the same suit.

Full House: Three cards of one rank and two cards of another rank. If another player has a full house, the player with the higher set of three cards wins. For example KKK-22 would beat QQQ-33.

Four of a Kind: Four cards of the same suit.

Straight Flush: Five consecutive cards—all of the same suit.

Royal Flush: This is the granddaddy of poker hands. The Royal Flush is the 10-J-Q-K-A all of the same suit. Since this is the highest hand, if there is more than one Royal Flush at the table, they tie.

Now that you know how poker hands rank, you can proceed with your learning. Print this page out if you need a reminder while you play. After you play for a little bit it becomes second nature.