Understanding poker hands is fundamental to playing and winning at poker. Whether you’re a novice or an experienced player, knowing the ranking of poker hands will help you make better decisions during the game. Here’s a rundown of the top 10 poker hands you should know, from the strongest to the weakest.
1. Royal Flush
A Royal Flush is the highest-ranking hand in poker. It consists of the Ace, King, Queen, Jack, and Ten of the same suit. This hand is unbeatable and incredibly rare.
Example: A♠ K♠ Q♠ J♠ 10♠
2. Straight Flush
A Straight Flush is a sequence of five consecutive cards of the same suit. If two players have a Straight Flush, the one with the highest top card wins.
Example: 9♦ 8♦ 7♦ 6♦ 5♦
3. Four of a Kind
Four of a Kind, also known as Quads, is a hand that includes four cards of the same rank and one kicker. The hand is ranked based on the rank of the four matching cards.
Example: 4♣ 4♦ 4♥ 4♠ 9♠
4. Full House
A Full House consists of three cards of one rank and two cards of another rank. The hand is ranked first by the three matching cards and then by the pair.
Example: J♠ J♦ J♣ 8♠ 8♦
5. Flush
A Flush is a hand with five cards of the same suit, but not in sequence. The hand is ranked by the highest card in the flush, and ties are broken by the next highest cards.
Example: K♦ 10♦ 7♦ 5♦ 3♦
6. Straight
A Straight consists of five consecutive cards of mixed suits. The hand is ranked by the highest card in the sequence. A tie occurs if two players have the same high card.
Example: 10♠ 9♦ 8♠ 7♣ 6♥
7. Three of a Kind
Three of a Kind, also known as Trips or Set, is a hand with three cards of the same rank and two unrelated cards. The hand is ranked by the rank of the three matching cards.
Example: 6♠ 6♦ 6♣ Q♥ 4♠
8. Two Pair
Two Pair consists of two cards of one rank, two cards of another rank, and one kicker. The hand is ranked first by the higher pair and then by the lower pair.
Example: 10♠ 10♦ 3♠ 3♦ 7♣
9. One Pair
One Pair includes two cards of the same rank and three unrelated cards. The hand is ranked by the rank of the paired cards, with ties broken by the highest kickers.
Example: 8♠ 8♦ K♠ 5♦ 3♣
10. High Card
A High Card is the lowest-ranking hand and occurs when no other hand is made. It’s ranked by the highest card in the hand, with ties broken by the next highest cards.
Example: A♠ J♦ 9♣ 5♠ 3♦
Conclusion
Knowing these top 10 poker hands is essential for understanding the game and making strategic decisions. Each hand is ranked based on its rarity and strength, and recognizing these hands will help you assess your chances of winning and determine your best course of action.
