Know Your Hands Cold
Before you can develop any poker strategy, you need to know exactly which hands beat which — without hesitation. This guide covers all ten poker hand rankings used in Texas Hold'em, Omaha, and most standard poker variants, from strongest to weakest.
The 10 Hand Rankings in Order
1. Royal Flush
The best possible hand in poker. Five consecutive cards of the same suit from Ten to Ace: A♠ K♠ Q♠ J♠ 10♠. Unbeatable. Every suit's royal flush is equal in value.
2. Straight Flush
Five consecutive cards of the same suit — any sequence other than the royal. Example: 8♥ 7♥ 6♥ 5♥ 4♥. If two players hold straight flushes, the higher top card wins.
3. Four of a Kind (Quads)
Four cards of the same rank: Q♣ Q♦ Q♥ Q♠ 7♦. The fifth card (kicker) breaks ties between equal quads.
4. Full House
Three of a kind plus a pair: K♠ K♦ K♣ 9♥ 9♦. The three-of-a-kind portion determines the winner — K-K-K-2-2 beats Q-Q-Q-A-A.
5. Flush
Any five cards of the same suit, not in sequence: A♣ J♣ 8♣ 5♣ 2♣. If two players have flushes, compare the highest card, then the second highest, and so on.
6. Straight
Five consecutive cards of mixed suits: 9♦ 8♠ 7♥ 6♣ 5♦. Aces can be used high (A-K-Q-J-10) or low (A-2-3-4-5, the "wheel").
7. Three of a Kind (Trips / Set)
Three cards of the same rank: 7♠ 7♦ 7♣ K♥ 4♦. When you hold a pocket pair that matches the board, it's called a "set." When the board pairs, it's called "trips."
8. Two Pair
Two different pairs: J♥ J♠ 5♣ 5♦ A♠. The higher pair is compared first; if equal, compare the second pair, then the kicker.
9. One Pair
Two cards of the same rank: 10♦ 10♣ A♥ 6♠ 3♣. The most commonly made hand in Texas Hold'em. Kickers play a huge role in pair-vs-pair situations.
10. High Card
When no other combination is made, the highest card in your hand plays. A♠ Q♥ 9♣ 5♦ 2♠ would be "Ace-high." High-card hands most often lose at showdown.
Quick Reference Table
| Rank | Hand | Example |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Royal Flush | A K Q J 10 (same suit) |
| 2 | Straight Flush | 9 8 7 6 5 (same suit) |
| 3 | Four of a Kind | A A A A K |
| 4 | Full House | K K K 5 5 |
| 5 | Flush | A J 9 4 2 (same suit) |
| 6 | Straight | Q J 10 9 8 (mixed suits) |
| 7 | Three of a Kind | 8 8 8 K 3 |
| 8 | Two Pair | Q Q 7 7 A |
| 9 | One Pair | J J A 9 4 |
| 10 | High Card | A Q 8 5 2 |
Common Mistakes with Hand Rankings
- Flush vs. Straight: A flush always beats a straight — they are not equal.
- Full House vs. Flush: Full house wins. Many beginners confuse these.
- Kicker importance: A pair of Aces with a King kicker beats a pair of Aces with a Queen kicker.
- The "wheel": A-2-3-4-5 is a valid straight (the lowest), sometimes called the wheel.
Commit These to Memory
The best poker players don't have to think about hand rankings during a hand — they know them as instinctively as their own name. Practice by dealing yourself hands and ranking them quickly until it becomes automatic. Only then can your mental energy be directed toward the strategic decisions that actually win money.