Poker Hand and Their Rankings

For some people the hardest thing about poker is remembering the different hands and which hand beats what. Does 2 pair beat 3 of a kind or does a straight beat a flush. In most online casinos when playing either video poker or in poker room they will often have the hand rankings on the screen to help you.

Here we have listed the different poker hands and their rankings from 1 to 10. 1 being the weakest hand and 10 being the best hand you can have in a 5 card poker game.

1. High card:

This means the highest card in your hand. If you have no pairs but you have a King and another player has no pairs but has a jack or Lower you win with a high card. Staying in a poker hand that consists of only a high card is usually not recommended when playing for money.

2. A Pair:

A pair is when you have 2 cards that are the same numbered value. If two players have a pair the player with the highest valued pair wins, and if both players have the same valued pair the high card will determine the winner of the hand.

3. Two Pair:

In poker after a pair the next best hand is two pairs. This is when you have two sets of matching valued cards that are of different values, an example is a pair of two’s and a pair of three’s. If it was two pairs of the same valued cards that would be 4 of a kind and a much better hand that will be discussed latter.

4. Three of a Kind:

This one is really self explanatory. When you have 3 cards with the same numerical value you have three of a kind.

5. Straight:

A straight is when the numerical value of your cards goes in order for all five of your cards.

6. Flush:

A Flush is when the cards are all of the same suite. This means that you have all Hearts, Diamonds, Clubs or Spades, and the numerical value of the cards is irrelevant.

7. Full House:

A full house is when you have a three of a kind and a pair in your hand. A full house is a respectable hand to have.

8. Four of a Kind:

This is when you have all four of any numbered or picture cards.

9. A Straight Flush:

This is a combination of a straight and a flush. All cards must be numerically in order and must all be of the same suite. An example would be 2, 3, 4, 5, 6 and all cards are spades. This is the 2nd best hand in 5 card poker.

10. Royal Flush:

A Royal Flush is basically a Straight Flush but all picture cards. It must start with a 10 and ends with the Ace, and this is the best hand you can have, but it is also to hardest hand to make.

Now that you have an understanding of the different hand rankings you are ready to start playing poker for fun or for money in online casinos or poker rooms.