What Are The Poker Hands
In a game of poker, players have to form their best five-card combination called poker hands as per the rules of the poker game. During a showdown, each five-card combination has a rank and the ranks of the players in the hand are compared to determine the best poker hand.
Though the rules vary according to the poker tournament variant, the highest poker hand ranking always wins. Poker hand order is determined by the pattern formed by the cards. If the patterns formed are the same, then the poker card rankings determine the winner. Individual cards in poker order are ranked highest to lowest: A, K, Q, J, 10, 9, 8, 7, 6, 5, 4, 3 and 2.
Suits are not ranked, so hands that differ by suit alone are of equal rank. The top poker hands to play fall into nine categories using a standard deck of 52 cards. A player can form 2,598,960 distinct poker hands since the order in which they are dealt with are inconsequential. Since the suits are of equal rank, a player can form 7462 distinct texas Holdem poker hands.
Though the rules vary according to the poker tournament variant, the highest poker hand ranking always wins. Poker hand order is determined by the pattern formed by the cards. If the patterns formed are the same, then the poker card rankings determine the winner. Individual cards in poker order are ranked highest to lowest: A, K, Q, J, 10, 9, 8, 7, 6, 5, 4, 3 and 2.
Suits are not ranked, so hands that differ by suit alone are of equal rank. The top poker hands to play fall into nine categories using a standard deck of 52 cards. A player can form 2,598,960 distinct poker hands since the order in which they are dealt with are inconsequential. Since the suits are of equal rank, a player can form 7462 distinct texas Holdem poker hands.
A poker hand must consist of five cards, and it does not matter how many of your hole cards you use. Sometimes you will use both, sometimes only one and on some occasions none of your hole cards will be used. If the community cards.
Poker Starting Hands - Comprehensive guide to which poker hands you should play, including a 2021 Texas Hold'em poker starting hands chart. The poker odds calculators on CardPlayer.com let you run any scenario that you see at the poker table, see your odds and outs, and cover the math of winning and losing poker hands. Texas Hold'em Omaha. Poker hands consist of the best five-card hand made up from any combination of the cards you are dealt and the community cards. Every beginning player, therefore, needs to understand the poker hand.
What Are Poker Suits?
A deck of cards is split into four suits:
♣ Club
♦ Diamond
♥ Heart
♠ Spade
♣ Club
♦ Diamond
♥ Heart
♠ Spade
All suits carry the same value as per poker hand order.
What Are Top Poker Hands To Play?
The key to play poker is knowing the texas Holdem rankings and learning how to play these best poker hands.
1. Pocket Aces - Every poker player knows the power of this poker card ranking. Pocket aces are also the strongest starting hand in poker hand order. They make the best poker hand pre-flop and the odds are 4:1 favourite over any other poker hand. One in every 221 poker hands is a pocket ace and if you're a serial grinder, you should know how to play this best poker hand.
Also known as Pocket Rockets, Two Pips.
2. Pocket Kings - Pocket Kings are a favourite against any hand (except aces). This texas Holdem poker hand is winning two-thirds of the time against Ace high and therefore ranks just below pocket aces in poker hand order in real money poker game.
Also known as Cowboys, King Kong, Ace Magnets.
3. Pocket Queens - One of the best poker hands to play poker strongly pre-flop. You should be raising or re-raising from any position with these Ladies. This texas Holdem poker hand is likely to be called by plenty of opponents with not the best poker hands.
Also known as Ladies.
4. Ace-King Suited - This is a texas Holdem poker hand easy to fall in love with. While pre-flop in remains a great hand beating post pocket pairs (except kings and aces). But it’s important to realize that if you don’t connect with the flop, then you only have an ace-high.
Also known as Big Slick, Anna Kournikova, Big Ugly.
5. Pocket Jacks - This is the best poker hand against any unpaired hand and strong pre-flop over any weaker waits. A great texas Holdem poker hand to play in late position with an unraised pot, but be wary of the early position raises.
Other Nicknames: Brothers, Suckers.
6. Pocket Tens - Pocket tens are a strong starting hand in poker. This texas Holdem poker hand will still win against overcards most times and is good enough not hitting a third on the flop. If the pot has witnessed a lot of action before you, it’s an easy fold with this texas Holdem ranking.
Also known as Dimes, TNT, Dynamite.
7. Ace-Queen Suited - This is a texas Holdem poker hand that ranks high in poker order due to its relative strength compared to other starting hands. It’s a tricky hand to play and might require you to fold even after hitting a pair on the flop. If you miss the flop with this poker hand, it’s best to fold and stay out of trouble.
Also known as Little Slick, Antony & Cleopatra, Mrs Slick, Rocket Queen.
8. Ace-King Offsuit - This is the best poker hand to be calling in position pre-flop to keep the pot small and also get paid if you pair one of the two hole cards. It’s not as strong as its suited counterpart and you have to keep in mind that you’ve reduced your chances of hitting a flush, however, it’s still 40% favourite.
9. Ace-Jack Suited - The potential of this hand like an AK or AQ suited are the odds of hitting a royal flush. However, this texas Holdem poker hand needs to be played wisely especially when you have a player raising in early position. An AK or AQ will have you beat and it’s wise to not fall in love with your AJ suited.
Also known as Hijack, Jackass, Apple Jacks.
10. King-Queen Suited - King-queen suited is a great texas Holdem poker hand that is known to flop well. It opens up a large number of straights and flushes, and the odds of hitting a high pair making it one of the best poker hands to play.
Also known as Marriage.
1. Pocket Aces - Every poker player knows the power of this poker card ranking. Pocket aces are also the strongest starting hand in poker hand order. They make the best poker hand pre-flop and the odds are 4:1 favourite over any other poker hand. One in every 221 poker hands is a pocket ace and if you're a serial grinder, you should know how to play this best poker hand.
Also known as Pocket Rockets, Two Pips.
2. Pocket Kings - Pocket Kings are a favourite against any hand (except aces). This texas Holdem poker hand is winning two-thirds of the time against Ace high and therefore ranks just below pocket aces in poker hand order in real money poker game.
Also known as Cowboys, King Kong, Ace Magnets.
3. Pocket Queens - One of the best poker hands to play poker strongly pre-flop. You should be raising or re-raising from any position with these Ladies. This texas Holdem poker hand is likely to be called by plenty of opponents with not the best poker hands.
Also known as Ladies.
4. Ace-King Suited - This is a texas Holdem poker hand easy to fall in love with. While pre-flop in remains a great hand beating post pocket pairs (except kings and aces). But it’s important to realize that if you don’t connect with the flop, then you only have an ace-high.
Also known as Big Slick, Anna Kournikova, Big Ugly.
5. Pocket Jacks - This is the best poker hand against any unpaired hand and strong pre-flop over any weaker waits. A great texas Holdem poker hand to play in late position with an unraised pot, but be wary of the early position raises.
Other Nicknames: Brothers, Suckers.
6. Pocket Tens - Pocket tens are a strong starting hand in poker. This texas Holdem poker hand will still win against overcards most times and is good enough not hitting a third on the flop. If the pot has witnessed a lot of action before you, it’s an easy fold with this texas Holdem ranking.
Also known as Dimes, TNT, Dynamite.
7. Ace-Queen Suited - This is a texas Holdem poker hand that ranks high in poker order due to its relative strength compared to other starting hands. It’s a tricky hand to play and might require you to fold even after hitting a pair on the flop. If you miss the flop with this poker hand, it’s best to fold and stay out of trouble.
Also known as Little Slick, Antony & Cleopatra, Mrs Slick, Rocket Queen.
8. Ace-King Offsuit - This is the best poker hand to be calling in position pre-flop to keep the pot small and also get paid if you pair one of the two hole cards. It’s not as strong as its suited counterpart and you have to keep in mind that you’ve reduced your chances of hitting a flush, however, it’s still 40% favourite.
9. Ace-Jack Suited - The potential of this hand like an AK or AQ suited are the odds of hitting a royal flush. However, this texas Holdem poker hand needs to be played wisely especially when you have a player raising in early position. An AK or AQ will have you beat and it’s wise to not fall in love with your AJ suited.
Also known as Hijack, Jackass, Apple Jacks.
10. King-Queen Suited - King-queen suited is a great texas Holdem poker hand that is known to flop well. It opens up a large number of straights and flushes, and the odds of hitting a high pair making it one of the best poker hands to play.
Also known as Marriage.
Poker Card Rankings Explained
Royal Flush - A♥ K♥ Q♥ J♥ 10♥
The best poker hand. The suit does not matter. It’s an ace-high straight flush.
Straight Flush - Q♥ J♥ 10♥ 9♥ 8♥
A texas Holdem poker hand made up of five cards in sequential order and of the same suit. in the same If two players have a straight flush at showdown, the highest-ranking card as per poker card rankings will win. A straight flush beats four of a kind.
Four of a kind - 3♣ 3♠ 3♦ 3♥ 8♥
Four of a kind is four cards of the same poker card rank. If two players have a four of a kind, the hand with the highest-ranking as per poker card rankings wins. If two players have the same four of a kind, the player with the highest kicker card wins. A four of a kind beats a full house.
Full House - Q♦ Q♠ Q♣ 2♣ 2♦
A full house consists of a set of one rank and a pair of another rank. If two players have a full house, the player with the highest set as poker card rank wins. If the triplet is the same, the player with the highest pair wins. A full house beats a flush.
Flush - 5♦ J♦ 3♦ K♦ 4♦
A flush is a texas Holdem poker hand where all five cards are of the same suit. It does not need to be in sequential order. A flush is ranked first by the highest card and then by the second highest card. A flush beats a straight.
Straight - 5♣ 4♠ 3♠ 2♥ A♦
A straight is a texas Holdem poker hand that contains five cards in sequential order but are not of the same suit. If two players have a straight, the player with the highest-ranking card as per poker card rank wins. A straight beats a three of a kind.
Three of a kind or set - 8♦ 8♠ 8♣ K♠ A♠
A three of a kind is a texas Holdem poker hand consisting of three cards of the same rank. If two players have a three of a kind, the player with the highest-ranking three of a kind wins. A three of a kind beats a two pair.
Two Pair - 9♠ 9♥ 5♦ 5♥ A♠
A two pair is a texas Holdem poker hand consisting of two cards of one rank and two cards of another rank. If two players have a two-pair, the player with the highest-ranking pairs as per poker card rank wins. If both pairs are the same, the winner of the hand is determined by the kicker. A two pair beats one pair.
One Pair - 6♦ 6♥ 2♥ 5♠ K♣
One pair is a texas Holdem poker hand that contains two cards of the same rank. If both players have one pair, the player with the highest-ranking pair as per poker card rank wins. If both pairs are the same, the player with the highest-ranking kicker wins. One pair only beats a high card.
High Card - Q♠ 5♣ 4♦ 3♦ 2♣
TA high card is a texas Holdem poker hand when your hole cards haven’t formed any of the above poker hands. In this case, your hand will be determined by the single highest-ranking card as per poker card ranks. This the closest texas Holdem poker hand.
Poker Hand FAQ
Question 1: What is the best poker hand?
The best poker hand is the Royal Flush. Formed by the Ten, Jack, Queen, King and Ace of the same suit.
![Poker card hands suit Poker card hands suit](/uploads/1/3/6/4/136458200/193064729.jpg)
Question 2: What is the worst starting hand in Texas Hold’em Poker Hands?
The worst starting hand in texas Holdem poker hands is 3-2 offsuit. Often 7-2 is also referred to as the worst hand since it has less straight potential than a 3-2, despite having higher pot equity.
Question 3: In which order are the poker hands ranked?
The poker hand order from strongest to weakest are as follows. Royal flush, straight flush, four of a kind, full house, flush, straight, three of a kind, two pair, one pair, high card.
Question 4: How are poker hands constructed?
In most variants of poker, it is necessary to use exactly five cards to make a hand. In texas Holdem poker you have to use any of your hole cards in combination with any of your community cards to form the best five-card poker hand. In Pot Limit Omaha poker you have to use two out of the four hole cards in combination with any of the five community cards to make the best five-card poker hand.
5How many Poker Hands are there?
There are 10 different hands ranks in Texas Hold’em – from a Royal Flush to a Straight to a lousy High Card. Here’s a comprehensive list of all Texas Hold’em poker hand rankings:
You can also print and download the Official Texas Hold’em hand ranking as a PDF file.
Chart: Poker Hand Ranking
K♥️
J♥️
Royal FlushHighest Straight Flush
7♣️
5♣️
Straight Flush5 suited cards in a row
9
9
Quads4 cards of the same rank
A
Q
Full House3 and 2 cards of the same rank
♠️
♠️
Flush5 suited cards
5
3
Straight5 cards in a row
J
Trips3 cards of the same rank
Q
8
Two Pair2 cards of the same rank twice
2
Pair2 cards of the same rank
High CardHighest cards
Download
Download the poker hand ranking charts image or PDF:
- Official Poker Hand Rankings Image
- Print: Poker Hand Rankings PDF
Official Poker Hand Rankings
- Royal flush: A straight from a ten to an ace with all five cards in the same suit.
- Straight Flush: Any straight with all five cards in the same suit.
- Four of a Kind or Poker or Quads: Any four cards of the same rank. If two players share the same four of a kind (on the board), the larger fifth card (the “kicker”) decides who wins the pot.
- Full House or Boat: Three cards of the same rank along with two cards of the same rank. In short: trips and a pair.
- Flush: All five cards of the same suit (not necessarily consecutive). The highest card determines the rank of the flush.
- Straight: Five consecutive cards (not necessarily the same suit). Aces can count as either high or low cards, but not as both at once. Meaning, a straight cannot go “around the corner”.
- Trips: Three cards of the same value. If two players have the same trips the highest kicker decides who wins the pot.
- Two Pair: Any two cards of the same rank together with two other cards of the same rank.
- One Pair: Any two cards of the same rank.
- High Card: Any hand that is none of the above hands.
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Poker Hand Rankings Explained
- If two players have a Straight or Straight Flush, the higher Straight or Straight Flush wins.
- If two players have a quads, the player with the highest quad wins. If they are identical, the highest kicker wins.
- If two players have a flush, the player with the highest card in the flush wins. If they are identical, the second highest card decides, then the third highest, and so on. The suit of the flush does not matter.
- If two players have a full house, the player with the higher trips wins. If they are identical, the player with the higher pair wins.
- If two players have two pairs, the player with the bigger pair wins. If they are identical, the player with the higher pair wins. If they are also identical, the player with the highest kicker wins.
- If two players have a pair, the player with the higher pair wins. If they are identical, the highest kicker wins, then the second highest, then the third highest.
- If two players have a high card, the highest card wins. If they are identical, the second highest card decides, etc.
How many Poker Hands are there?
There are only 10 distinct poker hand ranks, but if you randomly deal 5 cards from a deck of 52 cards there are exactly 2,598,960 possible card combinations.
Poker Hand Odds for 5-Card-Poker
The poker hand ranking charts are based on the probability for each distinct hand rank. More unlikely combinations are ranked higher. Those are the probabilities and odds for all 5-card poker hands:
Poker Hand Odds for Texas Hold’em
If you’re playing Texas Hold’em, you have 7 cards to chose your hand from. There are 133,784,560 to deal 7 random cards. This changes the odds and probabilities for all poker hands a bit. Those are the probabilities and odds for all Texas Hold’em Poker hands:
Technically it’s more likely that you’re dealt at least a pair in Texas Hold’em than holding only high card. But “High Card” still remains the lowest rank.
FAQ: Poker Hand Rankings
Does 2 pairs beat a straight?
When playing Texas Hold’em (or any other popular poker variant) 2 pairs are always ranked below a straight.
Does 3 Aces beat a straight?
3 Aces are just trips (or three of a kind) in poker. When playing regular Texas Hold’em a straight is ranked above trips. There are however rule variations where trips can bet a straight, namely Short Deck Hold’em, a poker variant where all cards below 5 are removed.
Does 5 of a kind beat a royal flush?
In regular poker variants there are is no 5-of-kind rank. When playing with wildcards (joker) 5 of a kind are possible. In this case 5 of a kind are the highest possible poker hand and beat a royal flush.
Does a full house beat 3 aces?
Every full house always beats trips, no matter the rank of the trips. Even trip aces are always ranked below every possible full house.
Does Royal Straight beat flush?
A Royal Flush is the best possible poker hand and of course always beats any other flush.
Does straight beat a full house?
Every common poker variant, including Texas Hold’em, ranks a Full House above a straight. So no, a Straight never beats a Full House in Poker.
What beats a royal flush?
In all regular modern poker variations (including Texas Hold’em and Omaha) a Royal Flush is always the highest possible hand rank. A higher rank is only possible when playing with a Joker. In this case 5 of a kind (4 Aces plus Joker) beats a Royal Flush.
What can beat a flush in poker?
A Flush is a very strong hand in poker. The only hands that beat a Flush are Full House, Quads, Straight Flush, and Royal Flush.
How rare is a royal flush?
A Royal Flush is extremely rare. When playing Texas Hold’em you’ll only get one every 31,000 hands. And that assumes you never fold. The hand is so rare that most poker players can remember all Royal Flushes they have been dealt in their life time.
What are the odds of hitting a straight flush?
Straight Flushes are almost as rare as Royal Flushes. When playing Texas Hold’em you will hit a Straight Flush roughly every 3,600 hands (assuming you never fold any hand that can make a Straight Flush).
Can you have 3 pairs in poker?
There is no “3 pair” hand rank in poker. When playing Texas Hold’em it’s technically possible to have three pairs, but since a poker hand only consists of 5 cards only the 2 highest pairs are in play. For example, if you hold Q-J and the board reads Q-J-6-A-A you only have two pair: Aces and Queens.
Does Royal Flush have to be spades?
A Royal Flush can be any of the 4 suits, spades, hearts, diamonds, or clubs. It’s just that usually a Royal Flush is depicted in spades or hearts. Nevertheless, it doesn’t matter which suit, a Royal Flush is always the best Texas Hold’em Poker Hand.
How many kickers can you have in poker?
A poker hand can consist of up to 5 kickers. A player with no pair only has kickers. A player with one pair has 3 kickers, a player with trips has 2 kickers, and a player with 2 pair or quads has 1 kicker.
Is Ace a 1 in poker?
When building a straight an Ace can be used as a virtual “1” in poker. Meaning, A-2-3-4-5 is a straight. There are also lowball poker variations where the Ace counts as the lowest card.
Is an Ace 2 3 4 5 a straight?
Yes, the ace can count as the lowest card in a straight and function as a “1” when combined with 2-3-4-5.
Is JQKA 2 a straight?
A straight cannot go “around the corner”, the Ace can only be either the highest or the lowest card, not a card in the middle. So no, J-Q-K-A-2 is no straight in poker.
Is Queen King Ace 2 3 a straight?
A straight cannot go “around the corner”, the Ace can only be either the highest or the lowest card, not a card in the middle. So no, Q-K-A-2-3 is no straight in poker.
Is there a kicker on a straight?
For a straight you need to use all 5 cards. There are no cards left for a kicker. The rank of the straight is determined by the highest card. E.g. an ace-high straight beats a queen-high straight.
What is a flush in poker?
A flush in poker is hand which consists of 5 cards of the same suit. The same color (red or black) is not enough. It has to 5 spades, hearts, diamonds, or clubs.
What is the highest royal flush in poker?
There are no distinctions between the 4 possible Royal Flushes in poker. A Royal Flush in spades is as good as a Royal Flush in hearts, diamonds, or clubs.
What is the highest suit in Texas Hold’em poker?
![Card rankings poker Card rankings poker](/uploads/1/3/6/4/136458200/376791348.png)
Only in very rare occasions (for example when dealing for the button) the suits are ranked in poker. In this case the ranking is: 1. spades, 2. hearts, 3. diamonds, 4. clubs. Suits are otherwise generally not ranked in poker. A Flush in spades is as good as a flush in any other suit, only the ranks of the cards matter.
What is the lowest pair in a game of poker?
In poker the lowest possible pair is a pair of Deuces (twos).
How do you win bad beat jackpots in poker?
Poker Card Hands Names
To win a bad beat jackpot in poker you need to lose with a very strong hand, usually a strong Full House (Aces Full). It’s also necessary that both, the winning hand losing player, user both of their hole cards. E.g. losing with quads on the board does not count.
What are the odds of hitting a bad beat jackpot in poker?
The odds of hitting a bad beat jackpot in poker depend on the rules for the jackpot. If you have to lose with Aces Full or better your odds of hitting the bad beat jackpot are 1:58,948. If you have to lose with quads or better your odds are 1:624,609 (assuming a 10 player table where nobody ever folds).
What is a bad beat in poker?
If you lose with a very strong hand against an even stronger hand this is called a “bad beat”. It is also a bad beat if you lose an all-in while being far ahead and you opponent wins by catching some miracle cards.
How many 5 stud poker hands are there?
5 Card Stud is one of the oldest poker variants where each player is dealt 5 cards. There are exactly 2,598,960 different 5 stud poker hands possible.
How many poker hands are there?
Poker Card Hands Best To Worst
There are only 10 distinct poker hand ranks, but if you randomly deal 5 cards from a deck of 52 cards there are exactly 2,598,960 possible card combinations. If you’re playing Texas Hold’em, you have 7 cards to chose your hand from. There are 133,784,560 to deal 7 random cards.
What happens if two hands tie in poker?
It’s possible (and not too uncommon) for two players to have the same hand in poker. In this case the pot is split and both players receive half the pot.
What happens if two people have a royal flush?
When playing Texas Hold’em it’s almost impossible for two players to have a Royal Flush. For that to happen the 5 community cards need to form a Royal Flush. In that case all players in the hand win and split the pot.
What happens if two poker hands are the same?
If two players have the same hand, the pot is split and both players win half of it. This can happen for example if both players have the same cards (e.g. Ace-King) and nobody makes a Flush.
Poker Card Hands Best To Worst
How do you hit a royal flush on video poker?
Poker Card Hands
In Video Poker you can win the jackpot when you hit a Royal Flush. To maximize your chances you should always keep all suited cards 10 or above (if you have at least 2) and discard the rest. You will see a Royal Flush roughly once every 40,000 spins.
What are the odds of hitting a royal flush on a video poker machine?
The odds of hitting a royal flush directly are only 1 in 649,739. But since you can draw one time your odds increase. If you play perfectly your odds of hitting a royal flush are roughly 1 in 40,000.
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