This guide is in place to teach you which poker hands are which so that you know how to rank them. You need to know that understanding poker hands is a non-negotiable when it comes to finding success at the table, no matter what level of experience you have with this game.
What Are Poker Hands?
An online poker hand gets made up of five cards. These cards are all ranked according to a specific set of rules, and certain combinations are more valuable than others. The strenght of your poker hand is decided by what particular cards it contains and their order in the poker hand ranking system.
Why Hand Rankings Matter in Poker
Knowing poker hand rankings is so important because it’s what allows you to make better decisions in each hand. Whatever game action you’re taking, you need to understand the relative strength of your poker hand to have any chance of winning.
Overview of Hand Rankings in Different Poker Variants
Poker hand ranking is relatively consistent across different poker variations. For instance, Texas Hold’em poker hands have the same ranking as stud poker ones do, but lowball poker inverts their importance.
Poker Hand Rankings Explained
Royal Flush – The Ultimate Hand
Poker winning hands don’t get better than this. A royal flush includes A, K, Q, J, and 10 of the same suit.
Straight Flush – Second Best Hand
Among the top hands in poker, a straight flush is five consecutive cards of the same suit.
Four of a Kind – Powerful but Rare
This is high on the list of poker hands ranked. Four cards of the same rank make it unbeatable unless against a royal or straight flush.
Full House – A Mix of Three and Two
In Texas Hold’em poker hands, and in other variations, a full house combines three of a kind and a pair for a strong advantage.
Flush – Five Cards of the Same Suit
A flush, made up of five same-suit cards, stands out among poker card hands if no higher hands are present.
Straight – Five Consecutive Cards
When ranking poker hands in order, a straight—a sequence of five cards in different suits—outranks three of a kind.
Three of a Kind – Triplets of the Same Rank
This combination includes three cards of the same rank and two unmatched cards.
Two Pair – Two Sets of Matching Cards
Two pair is a solid middle-tier option that can beat one pair or a high card.
One Pair – One Set of Matching Cards
Ranking low in poker hands order, one pair is two cards of the same rank with three unmatched cards.
High Card – When No Hand is Formed
If no combination is made, the poker hand’s rank depends on the highest card in the player’s hand.
How to Memorise Poker Hands
Using Mnemonics and Visual Aids
Mnemonics and visual aids are effective tools for remembering winning poker hands. For example, associate a royal flush with a king sitting on a throne with his queen, jack, and ten knights. Visual aids like charts or flashcards can also help you memorise the rankings by creating a mental map of the hands. Break the hands into categories, such as pairs, sequences, and suits, to simplify learning.
Practice Games to Reinforce Memory
Regularly playing practice games is a proven way to embed poker best hands into your memory. Many of the online casinos we recommend, including Spin Casino, Gaming Club, Ruby Fortune, River Belle, and JackpotCity, offer free poker games where you can test your skills without financial risk. Focus on recognising and ranking hands during these games. As you practice, you’ll instinctively recall the hierarchy of hands, making decisions faster during real games.
Common Mistakes Players Make When Learning Hand Rankings
When learning poker hands, players often confuse hands with similar characteristics, like a flush and a straight. Another mistake is focusing only on the top hands and neglecting lower-ranked ones like high card or one pair. These can still be decisive in a game. To avoid errors, practice identifying and comparing all hand types, and use cheat sheets in practice sessions to reinforce the rankings.
Poker Hands in Different Variants
Texas Hold’em Hand Rankings
In casino games like poker, understanding Texas Hold’em poker hands, for instance, is essential. These follow the traditional poker hands ranking, from the Royal Flush to High Card. Players use two hole cards and five community cards to create the best five-card combination.
Omaha Poker Hand Rankings
Omaha poker uses the same poker hands chart as Texas Hold’em, but with a twist. Players receive four hole cards and must use two of them, combined with three community cards, to form their hand. This makes it more complex and requires a strong grasp of hand rankings.
Stud Poker Hand Rankings
In stud poker, the focus is on individual play rather than community cards. The best poker hands, from royal flush to high card, determine the winner, with each player working from the cards dealt face-up and face-down.
Lowball and Hi-Lo Split Hand Rankings
Lowball and hi-lo games invert the traditional poker winning hands structure. In lowball, the lowest hand wins, with variations like ace-to-five or deuce-to-seven dictating the rules. Hi-lo split divides the pot between the best high hand and the best low hand, requiring players to balance their strategies.
Best Starting Poker Hands
Top Starting Hands in Texas Hold’em
Texas Hold’em poker hands like pocket aces (AA) and kings (KK) are unbeatable starting hands. These are the hands to look for when you’re learning how to play, as they offer the best chance of winning. Other strong options include ace-king suited (AK) and queen-queen (QQ), which give you a solid advantage in most games.
When to Play or Fold Based on Starting Hands
Pairs like ace-king, jack-jack, and ace-queen are excellent starting hands and are worth you playing aggressively. But weak hands in poker, like a two-seven, should be folded.
Impact of Position on Starting Hand Selection
The position you have taken at the game table really affects how you should make your decisions, especially when it comes to poker hands ranked lower down the scale. If you’re playing early on, you’ll need to be more careful, so it’s best to limit your gameplay to when you have premium hands only. If you’re seated later on, you should be able to play more hands, as by the time your turn comes around, you’ll have much more information when it comes to your fellow players’ hands.
Poker Hands Odds and Probabilities
Odds of Being Dealt a Royal Flush
The odds of getting a royal flush, the highest in poker hands in order, are extremely rare—about one in 649,740 hands. While this is a long shot, its impact is undeniable when it happens, making it a dream hand for any player.
Probability of Common Hands
Among all poker hands, pairs and two pairs are the most commonly found. Your chances of being dealt a single pair are just over 40%, and two pairs occur in almost 5%.
How Odds Influence Strategic Decisions
When you know the odds, you will be able to play the best hands in poker far more effectively. For example, strategy will shift depending on how likely it is that you can improve your hand. Weighing probability and your potential of winning will let you decide when to play aggressively, when to exercise caution, and when to fold.
How to Use Poker Hands to Win More Games
Mastering the poker hands order ensures you can make decisions confidently in any situation. Higher-ranked hands, like full houses or straights, should be played aggressively to extract maximum value. Lower-ranked hands, such as high cards or weak pairs, require caution and might only be worth playing in specific scenarios, such as when you’re in a late position or the pot odds are favourable. Understanding the hierarchy helps you gauge your chances and focus on hands that give you the best opportunity to win.
Identifying When to Bluff Based on Your Hand
Bluffing is a key skill in poker, but it works best when your actions match the poker hand rank you’re trying to represent. For instance, if the board shows a possible flush or straight, you can bluff as thought you have one of those hands.
However, effective bluffing depends on timing and your opponents’ tendencies. Bluff less against players who call frequently and more against those who are quick to fold. Keep your bluffs credible by ensuring your previous actions align with the hand you’re representing.
Understanding Hand Strength Relative to the Board
A big part of recognising winning poker hands is evaluating your hand strength in relation to the community cards. For example, a top pair might be the best hand on a dry board with no draws, but it could be vulnerable on a board showing potential straights or flushes.
Pay attention to the board texture and how it interacts with your hand. Adjust your bets accordingly—bet bigger when your hand is strong and the board is favourable, and proceed cautiously when there are threats.
Adjusting Your Strategy for Opponent Behavior
Your strategy must adapt to the tendencies of your opponents. When playing against loose players who call often, rely on poker’s best hands, and avoid bluffing frequently, as they’re unlikely to fold. Conversely, tighter players can be exploited by betting aggressively, as they’re more likely to fold weaker hands.
Pay attention to how your opponents react to different bet sizes and adjust your approach. For example, against a cautious player, you might be small to extract value from marginal hands, while against a risk-taker, larger bets with strong hands can maximise your gains.
Common Misconceptions About Poker Hands
Misinterpreting Flush vs. Straight Strength
One common misunderstanding among players is overestimating the value of a straight compared to a flush. In poker hands, a flush always outranks a straight, regardless of the cards’ numerical value. For example, a 5-high flush beats a king-high straight. Knowing the correct rankings can prevent costly mistakes, especially in tight games.
Confusion Around Kicker Cards
Kickers often play a decisive role in determining the winner in tied hands, yet they’re frequently misunderstood. In poker hands ranking, a kicker is the next highest card in a hand after the main pair or set. For instance, if two players both have a pair of aces, the one with the higher kicker wins. Ignoring this detail can lead to misjudged bets or missed opportunities.
Myths About Hand Frequency and Luck
Many players believe that certain hands occur more frequently or rely purely on luck. However, the poker hands chart shows that probabilities remain consistent over time. For instance, the odds of being dealt a pair is 42%, while a flush occurs in less than 1%. Success in poker comes from skilfully playing these probabilities, not relying on luck or believing myths about hot streaks.
Frequently asked questions
What is the rarest hand in poker?
The rarest hand in poker card hands is the Royal Flush, ranked the highest in poker hands order.
What happens if two players have the same hand?
If two players have the same hand, the one with the higher kicker wins.
Can you win with a high card in poker?
Yes, you can win with a high card, but only if no player has a better hand, making it one of the weakest hands in poker.
How do hand rankings change in lowball poker?
In lowball poker, the hand rankings are inverted, with the lowest hand winning instead of the best hands in poker coming out on top.
What is the unluckiest hand in poker?
Poker hands like seven-two offsuit are often considered the unluckiest, as they’re the lowest in poker hand ranking.
What is the devil's hand in poker?
The devil’s hand refers to a pair of threes (33), based on the superstition of its association with bad luck, though it’s not ranked highly in all poker hands.
What is a dead man's hand in poker?
A dead man’s hand is a pair of aces and eights, famously associated with the death of Wild Bill Hickok, though it shows poorly in poker hands ranked.
Why do poker players tap the table after a hand?
Poker players tap the table to indicate that they are done with the hand or to show respect, though it doesn’t affect poker hands in order.