Poker Hand Rankings

A hand of poker consists of five cards. The individual cards are ranked and the overall hand is ranked to determine the winner of the game. The individual cards rank, from highest to lowest: Ace, King, Queen, Jack, 10, 9, 8, 7, 6, 5, 4, 3, 2. All suits are of equal value.

Royal Flush

A Royal Flush is the highest ranking hand in the game of poker. It consists of an Ace, King, Queen, Jack, ten all in the same suit.

Straight Flush

A Straight Flush consists of five cards in sequence, in the same suit, such as 10, 9, 8, 7, 6 all in hearts. Between two straight flushes, the one with the highest top card wins. The lowest possible straight flush would be a 5, 4, 3, 2, A with 5 being the top card. A straight flush cannot turn the corner, that is, you cannot count 3, 2, A, K, Q as a straight flush.

Four of a Kind

Four of a kind consists of four cards of the same numerical value. The fifth card in the hand is irrelevant. Between two fours of a kind, the four of the kind with the higher set of cards, wins. For example, 6, 6, 6, 6, 2 beats 4, 4, 4, 4, K.

Full House

A full house consists of 3 cards of one numerical value and 2 cards of another numerical value. Between two full houses, the rank of the three cards determines who wins. For example, 6, 6, 6, 2, 2 beats 5, 5, 5, K, K. Colloquially, this hand would be known as "sixes full" or "sixes on twos."

Flush

A flush consists of five cards of the same suit, not in sequence. Between two flushes, the flush with the highest top card wins. If the top cards are of the same rank, the second highest cards are compared. If the second highest cards are of the same rank, the third highest cards are compared and so on. For example, Q, 10, 8, 3, 2 of Hearts would beat a Q, 10, 7, 6, 2 of diamonds because 8 beats 7.

Straight

A straight consists of five cards in sequence, but with different suits. For example 9, 8, 7, 6, 5 of different suits. Between two straights, the one with the higher ranking top card wins. A straight cannot turn the corner, that is, you cannot have a 2, A, K, Q, J.

Three of a Kind

A three of a kind consists of three cards of the same numerical value. The remaining two cards are irrelevant. Between two threes of a kind, the hand with the higher set of threes wins. For example 6, 6, 6, 3, 2 beats 5, 5, 5, 9, A. A three of a kind is colloquially known as Triplets or Trips.

Two Pair

A two pair consist of two cards of one numerical value, two cards of another numerical value and an odd card. Between two hands of two pairs, the hand with the highest pair wins. For example Q, Q, 7, 7, 2 beats J, J, 10, 10, 9 because Queen beats Jack. If the highest pairs are equal, then the lower set of pairs is compared. For example 6, 6, 5, 5, 2 beats 6, 6, 4, 4, 8. If the two pairs are equal, the odd card is compared. For example 6, 6, 5, 5, 4 beats 6, 6, 5, 5, 2.

Single Pair

A pair consists of two cards of equal numerical value with three other cards that do not match any other. Between two hands of pairs, the hand with the highest pair wins. For example, 8, 8, 6, 5, 2 beats 7, 7, 8, 6, 3. If the pairs are of equal value, the highest ranking odd cards are compared. If the highest ranking odd cards are of equal value, the next highest are compared and so on. For example, 5, 5, K, 8, 2   beats 5, 5, K, 7, 6.

High Card

If no players hold any combination of cards, as listed above then the players' hands are compared by comparing the highest card. If the highest card is of equal rank, the second highest card is compared. If the second highest card is of equal rank, the third highest card is compared and so on. For example, K, J, 8, 4, 2 beats K, J, 7, 6, 4 because 8 beats 7.