Poker Hand Rankings

Almost every variation of poker is played using these same hand rankings. Some lowball forms of poker (like Razz) value these hands in reverse order but the composition of each hand is still the same. These poker hands are ranked in order from the strongest down to the weakest.

Royal Flush

Five cards of the same suit in order from Ten through Ace.

Straight Flush

Five consecutive cards of the same suit.

Four of a Kind

Four cards of the same rank. In this example, you would describe your hand as “4 of a Kind Queens with an Ace kicker.”

Full House

Three cards of one rank and two cards of another rank in the same hand. In this example, you have “Jacks Full of Sevens.”

Flush

Any five cards of the same suit.

Straight

Five consecutive cards.

Three of a Kind

Three cards of the same rank. In this example, you would have “3 of a Kind Jacks with an Ace King kicker.”

Two Pair

Two cards of the same rank and two cards of another rank.

Pair

Two cards of the same rank.

High Card

If nobody has any other poker hand, the player with the highest card wins the pot.

Now that you know your hand rankings, get some practice online at Full Tilt Poker.

And also don’t forget to brush up on your poker strategy.