Poker Hand Rankings: What Beats What in Every Game

Walking into a casino and sitting down at a poker table is one of the most exciting things you can do. But that excitement can turn into confusion fast if you do not know which hand wins. Poker hand rankings are what every player at that table already knows by heart, whether they are playing poker or Ultimate Texas Hold ‘Em. Learn them, and you will feel right at home from your very first hand.

If you’re new to the game, try starting with our:  How to play Ultimate Texas Hold ‘Em guide. 

The Complete List of All Poker Hands, Ranked

Here are all poker hands from strongest to weakest. Learn this order, and you will never feel lost at the table again.

1. Royal Flush

A Royal Flush is the best possible hand in poker. It consists of A, K, Q, J and 10, all in the same suit. No other hand can beat it. It is also the rarest, appearing only once in roughly every 31,000 hands in games like Texas Hold ‘Em.

2. Straight Flush

A Straight Flush is five cards in a row, all in the same suit. For example: 5, 6, 7, 8 and 9 of hearts. The only hand that beats it is a Royal Flush. If two players both have one, the higher top card wins.

3. Four of a Kind (Quads)

Four of a Kind means you hold all four cards of the same rank. For example, four Nines plus any fifth card. It is one of the best poker hands you can make. If two players both have it, the higher set of four wins.

4. Full House

A Full House is three cards of one rank plus two cards of another. For example, three Queens and two Fives. When comparing two Full Houses, the higher three-of-a-kind part wins. So three Queens beats three Nines, no matter what the pair is.

5. Flush

A Flush is any five cards of the same suit, in any order. For example, Ace, Jack, 8, 4 and 2, all in clubs. The highest card in the Flush determines its strength. An Ace-high Flush beats a King-high Flush.

6. Straight

A Straight is five cards in numerical order, from different suits. For example, 7, 8, 9, 10 and Jack. The Ace can sit at the top (A-K-Q-J-10) or at the bottom (A-2-3-4-5). It cannot be used in the middle of a sequence.

7. Three of a Kind

Three of a Kind is three cards of the same rank, plus two unrelated cards. For example, three Fives with a King and a 10. It is a solid hand that beats everything below it on this list. The two remaining cards can help break a tie.

8. Two Pair

Two Pair is exactly what it sounds like: two different pairs plus one extra card. For example, two Jacks, two Fours and an Ace. If two players both have two pairs, the higher pair wins first. If those match, the second pair decides it.

9. One Pair

One Pair is two cards of the same rank, plus three unrelated cards. For example, two Tens with a King, a 7 and a 3. It is one of the most common poker hands. The extra cards (called kickers) can decide the winner if both players have the same pair.

10. High Card

A High Card hand has no pairs, no sequence and no matching suits. The strongest card in your hand is what counts. For example, an Ace with unconnected, mixed cards is called “Ace-high.” It is the weakest hand type, but it can still win if everyone else has the same.

Poker Hand Rankings: What Happens When Two Players Tie?

Two players can sometimes hold the same type of hand. Here is how to decide who wins in each case:

• High Card vs. High Card: The player with the highest card wins. If those match, compare the next card down. If all five cards are the same, the pot is split equally.
• Pair vs. Pair: The higher pair wins. If both players have the same pair, the highest remaining card (called the kicker) determines the winner.
• Two Pair vs. Two Pair: Compare the higher pair first. If equal, compare the lower pair. If still tied, the fifth card decides.
• Three of a Kind vs. Three of a Kind: The higher three-of-a-kind wins. If tied, the best remaining card wins.
• Straight vs. Straight: The Straight with the highest top card wins. A Jack-high Straight beats a Nine-high Straight.
• Flush vs. Flush: The Flush with the highest card wins. If those match, compare the next highest card. Suits do not affect the result.
• Full House vs. Full House: The higher three-of-a-kind part wins first. If those are equal, the higher pair decides.
• Four of a Kind vs. Four of a Kind: The higher set of four wins. If identical, the fifth card breaks the tie.
• Straight Flush vs. Straight Flush: The one with the higher top card wins, just like a regular Straight.

One thing to remember: suits are always equal in standard poker. Clubs, diamonds, hearts and spades all carry the same weight.

The Probability Behind Every Poker Hand

The different poker hands are ranked based on probability. The harder a hand is to make, the higher it ranks. Here is a look at the odds in a seven-card game like Texas Hold ‘Em:

Hand	Odds Against
Royal Flush	~31,000 to 1
Straight Flush	3,589 to 1
Four of a Kind	594 to 1
Full House	37.5 to 1
Flush	32.1 to 1
Straight	20.6 to 1
Three of a Kind	19.7 to 1
Two Pair	3.26 to 1
One Pair	1.28 to 1

Frequently Asked Questions

Do these poker hand rankings apply to all poker games?

For the most part, yes. These rankings apply to Texas Hold ‘Em, Omaha, Seven-Card Stud, Five-Card Draw and most poker table games you will find at a casino. A few variations like Short Deck, wild card games and Badugi follow slightly different rules, but they are the exception rather than the rule.

Pro tip: Check out the difference between poker and Texas Hold ‘Em. 

Is 2 and 7 the worst starting hand in poker?

In Texas Hold ‘Em, 2-7 offsuit is widely considered the worst starting hand. The cards are too far apart for a straight, and the different suits make a Flush impossible, leaving very few ways to build a strong hand.

Does Ace-2-3-4-5 beat 2-3-4-5-6?

No, it does not. A-2-3-4-5 is the lowest possible Straight in poker. Straights are ranked by their highest card, and the highest card here is a 5, so 2-3-4-5-6 wins.

What is the luckiest hand in poker?

The Royal Flush is the luckiest hand you can make. It is the strongest hand in the game and also the rarest, making it a truly special moment whenever it appears.

How do you bluff effectively in poker?

A good bluff tells a consistent story throughout the hand, not just at the end. It works best against fewer opponents, on boards that support the hand you are representing.

Take This Knowledge to the Table

Poker hand rankings are the first thing worth learning, and they are simpler than most people expect. Once you know which hands beat which, every round becomes clearer and more enjoyable. You will make faster decisions, read the game better and feel more confident at the table. 

Now that you have the knowledge, it is time to put it to use. Come visit us at Newcastle Casino and experience the thrill of poker for yourself.