Poker Hand Rankings

In a situation where there is no pair or better, the highest card wins. If the high card is shared by both players the second high card will be used to determine the winner, and so on.

Any two cards of the same rank. The highest pair will win the pot. If both players hold the same pair the “kicker” will determine the winner.

A two pair hand consists of two cards of one rank and two cards of another rank. The fifth card is the kicker and is only relevant when two players hold the same two pair hand.

Three cards of the same rank is considered three of a kind. When determining the winner in a pot where more than one player holds a three of a kind, the highest rank three of a kind wins. If there is a tie, the winner is the player with the highest kicker.

A straight consists of five cards in sequential order. The ace may count as a high card as in TJQKA or as a low as in A2345. The ace may not be considered a high and low as in QKA23.

A flush is a five card hand containing all of the same suit. When more than one player holds a flush, the highest flush will take down the pot.

Three cards of one rank combined with two cards of another rank makes a full house. If more than one player has a full house, the hand that has the highest of the three same ranked cards wins.

Four cards of all the same rank. Four of a kind is a fairly rare hand to see, and therefore, is almost never beaten.

A straight flush combines both a straight and a flush in one hand. In order to have a straight flush one most have five cards of the same suit in sequential order.

A royal flush is really just the highest possible straight flush, which in poker is the absolute “nuts”.