Hand Rankings

Hand Rankings

When the time comes to decide who gets the pot (showdown), there is a set of hand rankings that is almost universally accepted to determine who wins. These are listed below from strongest to weakest.

If two or more hands are of the same ranking, the winner is the one having the higher images/cards. For example, a Flush with an Ace high beats a Flush with a King high. If the hands are still tied, then it is the highest card not being held in common (the kicker) that determines the winner.

In the event of hands being absolutely identical in ranking, the pot will be split evenly between the two or more winning players. If there is an odd chip, the winning player to the left of the button/dealer will receive it.

Cards are ranked with the Ace the highest card, followed by the King, Queen, Jack, Ten, and Nine and down to the Two, known as a Deuce. In most games, an Ace can also play below a Deuce for straights or as the lowest card.

All poker hands consist only of the best five cards available. Suits are never used to break ties, spades are not better than clubs. After all betting rounds are complete all players remaining in the hand showdown their cards (or discard. fold). In order the poker hand rankings are:

Royal Flush

1. Royal Flush: This is the most valuable hand in all of poker. A Royal Flush is composed of Ace, King, Queen, Jack and 10, all of the same suit.

Straight Flush

2. Straight Flush: is comprised of five cards in numerical order, all of the same suit. If there are two Straight Flushes at the table, then whichever hand's Straight Flush reaches the highest card value wins.

4-of-a-Kind

3. Four of a Kind: Four cards of the same rank, for example four kings, plus any fifth card. As always, higher ranks are better.

Full House

4. Full House: Three cards of the same rank, with a pair of another rank. The higher ranking three cards determine which full house beats the other.

Flush

5. Flush: Five cards of the same suit, regardless of their numerical rank. When comparing flushes, they are ranked from the top card on down. If two flushes have exactly the same cards, this is a tie and a pot would be split.

Straight

6. Straight: Five sequential cards, regardless of their suits. An Ace can be used to make either a "Broadway" straight of AKQJT or a "wheel" straight of 5432A. In a tie, whoever's Straight goes to a higher ranking card wins.

3-of-a-Kind

7. Three of a Kind: Three cards of the same rank, with two unpaired cards. As always, a higher ranked three of a kind defeats a lower ranked three of a kind. In flop games it is possible for both players to have the same three of a kind, in which case the two unrelated "kicker" cards would determine the winner. If the two hands are identical, the pot is split.

Two Pair

8. Two Pair. Two cards of one rank, two cards of another rank and a kicker of a third rank. Two hands of the same rank, splits the pot.

One Pair

9. One Pair: Two cards of the same rank and three random cards. A higher pair defeats a lower pair. When players have the same pair, the highest kicker cards would determine the winner.

High Card

10. High Card: If none of the players have anything of value, the player holding the highest valued card wins, with the 2 as the lowest card and the Ace as the highest.