Poker Hand Rankings Chart: From Best to Worst in Order
Combinations ranked by strength determine the winners in any game of poker. After reviewing the way poker hands ranked, it won’t be difficult for you to determine which combinations to play, when to fold, and how to successfully bluff. Let’s take a look at the full list of poker hand rankings so that you can refine your game strategy.
By the end of this guide, you will have a complete picture of the hand to play. Keep reading to learn the secrets of making poker combinations and improve your poker strategy!
Why Poker Hand Rankings Matter?
Understanding the ranking of hands in poker is important for every poker player. And this is regardless of whether you are starting to play or want to improve your skills. Knowing which combinations are winning against other players can significantly influence your strategy and decision-making during the game. This article will introduce you to the order of poker combinations, from the strongest to the weakest. This way you will have a complete understanding of how to play poker effectively and make the highest possible combination.
Poker Hand Rankings: from Highest to Lowest
So what is the poker hierarchy of combinations? This is a certain order that shows what beats what. Below is a detailed ranking of poker combinations, from the best hand possible to the least significant. Each type of hand is complemented by an explanation of its combination. This will allow you to fully understand how to make any hand. Here is also a table with a detailed description of the winning poker hands from best to worst:
| Hands Name in Order | Example | Probability | Combinations |
|---|---|---|---|
| Royal Flush |
A
A
K
K
Q
Q
J
J
10
10
| 0,000154% | 4 |
| Straight Flush |
9
9
8
8
7
7
6
6
5
5
| 0,00139 % | 36 |
| Four of a Kind |
K
K
K
K
K
K
K
K
6
6
| 0,02 % | 624 |
| Full House |
A
A
A
A
A
A
K
K
K
K
| 0,14 % | 3 744 |
| Flush |
A
A
K
K
Q
Q
8
8
2
2
| 0,1965 % | 5 108 |
| Straight |
Q
Q
J
J
10
10
9
9
8
8
| 0,39 % | 10 200 |
| Three of a Kind |
Q
Q
Q
Q
Q
Q
A
A
10
10
| 2,1128 % | 54 912 |
| Two Pair |
A
A
A
A
Q
Q
Q
Q
K
K
| 4,7539 % | 123 552 |
| Pair |
A
A
A
A
Q
Q
J
J
10
10
| 42,2569 % | 1 098 240 |
| High Card |
K
K
Q
Q
10
10
9
9
5
5
| 50,12 % | 1 302 540 |
Royal Flush
A Royal Flush is the best hand in poker, consisting of an Ace, King, Queen, Jack and Ten of the same suit. This unbeatable combination is very rare and very desirable among all players as Royal Flush beats all other possible combinations. If two players manage to achieve this hand, the pot is split evenly.
Straight Flush
A Straight Flush is a five-card poker hand which consists of consecutive cards of the same suit. For example, J, 10, 9, 8, 7, all the cards are in hearts. This is the second oldest combination. In cases where two hands hold Straight Flushes, the higher-ranking top card determines the winner.
4-of-a-Kind
Four-of-a-Kind, or Quads, consists of four cards of the same value, for example, four Aces. The fifth card (Kicker) can be any other card. This is one of the strongest poker hands. If the players have the same Quads, the Kicker determines the winner.
Full House
A Full House contains three cards of one rank and two cards of another rank, such as three Jacks and two Nines. Full House beats 6 lower combinations therefore it can be considered as a strong hand. When comparing Full Houses, the triplet with the highest value decides the winner.
Flush
A Flush in poker consists of any five cards of the same suit that are not arranged sequentially. For example, K, J, 10, 6, 3 are all in clubs. If two players have Flushes, the Flush containing the highest card wins. If the highest cards match, the second-highest card is compared, and so on, until a winner is determined.
Straight
A Straight is made up of five consecutive cards of different suits. For instance, 6, 5, 4, 3, 2. If two players have Straights, the one with the highest card is the winner.
3-of-a-Kind
Three-of-a-Kind includes three cards of the same rank and two unrelated cards. For example, three Queens plus 9, 3. The highest triplet determines the winner in case of a tie.
Two Pair
Two Pair consists of 2 cards of one rank, 2 cards of another rank, and one unrelated card. For instance, two Jacks and two Fives. The highest Pair determines the winner in case of a tie in poker.
One Pair
One Pair contains 2 cards of the same rank and three other unrelated cards. For example, two Nines. This hand is relatively weak as a Pair beats only a High Card. The winner is determined by the rank of the Pair. If it is the same, the Kickers become decisive.
High Card
When no other hand is made, the High Card hand is determined by the card with the highest value in the hand. For example, if you have A, Q, 7, 5, 3, the Ace is the Highest fifth card. This is the lowest hand.
Video Tutorial: Poker Hand Rankings
Key Poker Rules and Concepts
Before delving into the specifics of ranking poker combinations, it is important to understand some of the key rules that affect the gameplay. Read about the main nuances below.
Understanding Suits in Poker
In standard poker rules, all suits have the same value. This means that none of the suits (hearts, diamonds, clubs, or spades) has a higher rating than the others. For example, a Flush in diamonds is just as strong as a Flush in hearts. If two players have the same combinations but different suits, the pot is divided equally. This principle is universal for all types of poker. The focus is on the rank and sequence of the cards rather than their suit. However, suits play a crucial role in the formation of certain combinations, such as Flushes, Straight Flushes, etc.
The Role of Ties & Kickers
In poker, it is not uncommon for two or more players to have hands of the same rank. Such situations are called ties. But then how is the winner determined? To begin with, we consider the basic combination and its rank. For example, a Pair of Aces is stronger than a Pair of Tens. But what if the rank of the Pair is the same? In such cases, ties are decided with the help of Kickers. These are additional cards that are not included in the main combination, but help determine the winner.
The Kicker is essentially a side card that breaks a tie when the players have the same hand rating. For example, if two players have Quads of the same rank, the player with the higher Kicker wins. Below is a detailed table of how ties are solved for each type of hand:
| Poker Hand | Tie |
|---|---|
| Royal Flush | Split pot (all Royal Flushes are identical) |
| Straight Flush | Highest top card wins, if identical, split pot |
| Four of a Kind | Highest set of four wins, if identical, highest Kicker wins |
| Full House | Highest three-of-a-kind wins, if identical, highest pair wins |
| Flush | Flush with the Highest card wins, if identical, next highest card determines winner, and so on |
| Straight | Highest top card in the Straight win, if identical, split pot |
| Three of a Kind | Highest set of three wins, if identical, highest Kicker wins |
| Two Pair | Highest Pair wins, if identical, second highest Pair wins, if still tied, highest Kicker wins |
| Pair | Highest Pair wins, if identical, highest Kicker wins |
| High Card | Highest card wins, if identical, next highest card determines winner, and so on |
Hand Value: Absolute vs. Relative Explained
The absolute value of a combination reflects its strength in the ranking of poker hand in Texas Hold’em poker. This rating remains unchanged in all variants and situations. For example, the Royal Flush always has the highest absolute value. The absolute value gives a clear idea of which combinations are objectively stronger and which are weaker.
The relative value of a combination depends on the context of the game. In some situations, even a combination as strong as a Full House may not be enough to win if your opponent has a stronger Full House or Quads. A weaker combination, such as a Pair, can be valuable if there are no stronger hands at the table. This takes into account how strong your combination is in relation to the current situation.
While in the game, always evaluate not only the absolute value, but also the relative one, as this is the only way you can fully assess all the risks.
Poker Hands Probabilities Table
There are 10 traditional poker Hand Rankings and each of them has a certain probability of falling out. Moreover, it depends not only on the combination itself, but also on the round in the game. Below you will find a table that displays the probability percentage of a particular Hand at different stages of the game.
| Poker Hand | Pre-Flop | Flop | Turn | River |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Royal Flush | 0,000154% | 0,005% | 4,256% | 4,348% |
| Straight Flush | 0,00139 % | 0,0012 % | 4,25 % | 4,35 % |
| Four of a Kind | 0,02 % | 0,25 % | 2,12 % | 2,17 % |
| Full House | 0,14 % | 0,09 % | 12,77 % | 19,57 % |
| Flush | 0,1965 % | 0,84 % | 19,15 % | 19,56 % |
| Straight | 0,39 % | 1,30 % | 16,90 % | 17,20 % |
| Three of a Kind | 2,1128 % | 11,8 % | 4,26 % | 4,35 % |
| Two Pair | 4,7539 % | 16,7 % | 19,15 % | 19,57 % |
| Pair | 42,2569 % | 28,6 % | 12,77 % | 13,04 % |
| High Card | 50,12 % | 67,70 % | 87,23 % | 86,96 % |
Poker Hand Rankings Across Variants
Different types of poker, such as Hold’em, Omaha and others, use the same basic rules for ranking combinations, but the way combinations are formed may differ. Here is an overview of how combinations are made and ranked in some popular types of poker:
- Texas Hold’em. In Hold’em, each player is dealt two face-down cards and uses five community cards to make the best five-card hand. Thus, the combination is built from five cards using any combination of open and community cards.
- Omaha. In Omaha, each player is dealt four face-down cards, and he must use exactly two of them in combination with three of the five community cards to make the best possible hand.
- Seven-card Stud. There are no community cards in the Seven-card stud. Each player receives seven cards, three hole cards and four face up. The best combination of five cards is used.
Exceptions to the Poker Hands Chart
In fact, there are few exceptions. But here are some of them:
- In a type of game like Omaha, players must use exactly two hole cards and three community cards to make a combination;
- In a type of game as a Seven-Card Stud, players collect combinations of 7 cards available in their hands.
Tools to Master Poker Hands
Poker users can receive valuable support on our website. We created a Free Poker Hand Rankings Chart and a What Beats What in Poker calculator. You can always open them in just a couple of clicks. These tools will allow you to quickly understand the strengths and weaknesses and make decisions about your strategy at the table.
Free Poker Hand Rankings Chart
Want a copy of the sheet with all the poker hands ranked? Print out our “Poker Hand Rankings” cheat sheet in PDF format. By having a physical copy of the poker hand chart, you can always be sure that you know the poker hand rankings.
It is more convenient for some gamblers to have a ready-made hint at hand that will help them quickly understand the basic rules of the game and remember the rankings to play poker more effectively. This chart is especially useful when practicing online, as you can have it right next to you rather than having a extra tab open while playing poker online.
What Beats What in Poker Calculator
The What Beats What in Poker calculator is a useful tool for determining the winning combination in various poker scenarios. This tool allows you to enter combinations and automatically determine the winner. Use our hand calculator and quickly determine which hand is better than anything else, without having to figure out the basic mechanics of the game.
What Beats What in Poker: Quick Overview
When you first start playing poker, it may seem to you that it is quite difficult to figure out what beats what. So, first of all, it is important that you have a basic understanding of the order of hands in poker. After that, it will be easier for you to figure out how to beat this or that combination. You can find the list below.
What beats a Royal Flush in poker?
Royal Flash beats everything. This is the strongest hand.
What beats a Straight Flush in poker?
Straight Flush beats a Four-of-a-Kind, Full House, Flush, Straight, Three-of-a-Kind, Two Pair, One Pair, High Card.
What beats a Four of a Kind in poker?
Four of a Kind beats a Full House, Flush, Straight, Three-of-a-Kind, Two Pair, One Pair, High Card.
What beats a Full House in poker?
Full House beats a Flush, Straight, Three-of-a-Kind, Two Pair, One Pair, High Card.
What beats a Flush in poker?
Flush beats a Straight, Three-of-a-Kind, Two Pair, One Pair, High Card.
What beats a Straight in poker?
Straight beats a Three-of-a-Kind, Two Pair, One Pair, High Card.
What beats a Three of a Kind in poker?
Three of a Kind beats Two Pair, One Pair, High Card.
What beats a Two Pair in poker?
Two Pair beats a One Pair and a High Card.
What beats a Pair in poker?
Pair beats a High Card.
What beats a High Card in poker?
A High Card is a combination in which the highest value card wins.
Test Your Poker Skills Online for Free
So you now know the poker hand rankings by heart or maybe you printed our PDF document and you would like to test your poker skills against other poker players? Well the good news is you can always test your skills online at low stakes, but on real money poker sites. All good poker sites also have free play money modes where you can play without having to risk your own money. Most of them will also offer freerolls where you can win real money without risking anything at all.
Poker Hand Rankings FAQs
How many cards are in a poker deck?
A standard deck contains 52 poker cards, consisting of four suits: hearts, diamonds, clubs, and spades. Each suit has 13 ranks: Ace, King, Queen, Jack, 10, 9, 8, 7, 6, 5, 4, 3, and 2.
What is the best hand in poker?
The best poker hand is the Royal Flush, which consists of the Ace, King, Queen, Jack, and 10 of the same suit (A K Q J 10 ).
What is the worst poker hand?
The worst hand in poker is the High Card, where none of the cards form any combination. The value of the hand is determined by the highest card.
Which suit in poker is ranked the highest?
Suits do not have any rank over one another in standard poker games. All suits (hearts, diamonds, clubs, and spades) are equal. If you have the same hand as your opponent but in different suits you simply split the pot.
What is the order in which hands are ranked?
A brief poker cheat sheet from best to worst: royal flush, straight flush, four of a kind, a full house, a flush, a straight, three of a kind, two pair, one pair, high card.
How are ties broken in poker?
In the event of a tie, it is broken using Kickers (or side cards).
What is a kicker in poker?
A kicker is a side card that helps determine the winner in a tie situation where players have the same hand rank. The highest Kicker decides the winner.
What happens if two poker hands are the same?
If both players have the same pair, the highest non-matched cards (the “kicker’) are compared to determine the winner. If both players have the same high card, the next highest cards are compared. If both players have the exact same pair AND the exact same kicker cards, the pot is split.
Do poker hand rankings vary in different poker games?
The basic hand rankings are the same in the most poker variants, such as Texas Hold’em, Omaha, and Seven-Card Stud.
How to calculate the probability of poker hands?
The probability of hands is calculated by dividing the number of ways a certain hand can be made by the total number of possible hands (2,598,960). You can use our free odds calculator to calculate the probabilities.
Does a Straight beat a Flush?
No. This is one of the most common misconceptions in poker. In Texas Holdem a flush (five cards of the same suit) always beats a straight (five cards in a numeric sequence). A straight-flush, which is five cards of the same suit in consecutive order, beats both hands.
What poker hand is better – Two Pair or Three of a Kind?
Three-of-a-kind always beats two-pair. The only “made” hand that two-pair beats is one pair.
Does “All Reds” or “All Blacks” beat a Straight?
“All Reds” or “All Blacks” doesn’t beat/mean anything in poker. To make a flush in poker you have to have five cards of the same SUIT. That means five spades, hearts, clubs or diamonds. Having all one color is not a hand.
Does it matter if I have higher Flush cards?
It does. In No-Limit Hold’em if you have a flush with an ace as the highest card and your opponent has a flush with a king as the high card, you win. The easiest way to understand who wins is to lay out your complete five-card hand and compare it with your opponent’s hand. If anyone has a higher card, that person wins (obviously you both share the cards on the board).
What is 5 of a suit called in poker?
In poker, five cards of the same suit are called a Flush. This hand ranks above a Straight but below a Full House in standard poker hand rankings.
What do I beat if I have 3 Pairs?
Absolutely nothing. You just use your two highest pairs. There is no such thing as “3-pair” in poker.
What is a Four-Flush in poker?
A four-flush is when you use four cards of the same suit on the board and one from your hand to complete a flush. It’s worth noting this is one of the key differences between No-Limit Hold’em and Pot-Limit Omaha. In PLO you have to use two of your cards so you can’t have a four-flush.
Can I make a Straight with 4-3-2-A-K?
No. While the ace can make both the lowest straight (A-2-3-4-5) and the highest straight (A-K-Q-J-10) it can’t wrap around.
Does my 3-3-3-A-A Full House beat my opponent’s 8-8-8-K-K?
Nope. When it comes to full houses the highest of the three-of-a-kinds determines the winner. In the example above the full house with three 8s tops the full house with three 3s.
Who wins with Four-of-a-Kind on the board?
The player with the highest kicker. For instance if the board is 8-8-8-8-5, you have A-K and your opponent has K-Q, you win. (Your best five-card hand is 8-8-8-8-A, his is 8-8-8-8-K). If the board was 8-8-8-8-A you’d split the pot as the best five-card hand for both of you is 8-8-8-8-A.
What’s the difference Between Four-of-a-Kind and “Quads”?
Nothing. They’re exactly the same hand.
Is there a difference between Trips and a Set?
Trips and a set are the same hand: Three-of-a-kind. The difference is how you acquire three-of-a-kind. A set is made when your pocket pair hits one card on the board. Trips are made when you utilize two cards on the board and one in your hand to make three-of-a-kind. Because they are much easier to conceal when betting, sets are generally considered the better hand.
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