Ever wondered how to tell which poker hand is best? You're not alone. Poker can be a bit tricky, especially when you're trying to figure out if your hand is a winner. But fear not. In this blog post, we're going to break down the hierarchy of poker hands from the unbeatable Royal Flush to the humble High Card. We'll keep it simple, so even if you're brand new to the game, we'll help you get the hang of it.
Understanding these rankings is key to playing the game. Whether you're playing a friendly game at home or participating in an online poker game, knowing what beats what is key to a solid foundation. So, let's dive in and demystify the world of poker hand rankings together.
Royal Flush
A Royal Flush sits proudly at the top of the poker hand rankings. It's the absolute best hand you can get. Imagine having an Ace, King, Queen, Jack, and 10 all of the same suit.
Which Hands Does a Royal Flush Beat?
In short, a Royal Flush beats every other hand in the game. Whether it's a Straight Flush nipping at its heels or a simple Pair, the Royal Flush reigns supreme.
No matter what hand your opponents are holding, if you've got a Royal Flush, you're guaranteed to win the pot. It's a rare hand, so if you have it, you can bet confidently, knowing you're unbeatable at that moment.
So, a Royal Flush is the king of the poker table, beating everything else without a second thought.
Straight Flush
Right after the unbeatable Royal Flush comes the superb Straight Flush. Picture this: you've got five cards in sequential order, all of the same suit. It's like having a straight and a flush, all in one go. It's a very strong hand to have.
What Is Beaten By a Straight Flush?
A Straight Flush is second to only one, the Royal Flush. This means it outranks just about everything else below it.
It beats Four of a Kind, a Full House, a Flush, and so on. Essentially, if you're holding a Straight Flush, you've beaten virtually every other hand on the table, except if someone has the incredibly rare Royal Flush.
In essence, a Straight Flush is a mighty hand one could hope for during a game, putting you in a strong position ahead of the pack, save for that one exceptional hand above it. If another player also has a Straight Flush, then the highest ranking of the two hands wins (i.e. whoever's Straight Flush contains the higher ranking sequence).
Four of a Kind
Four of a Kind, also known as "quads", is exactly what it sounds like: four cards of the same rank. For example, four Queens, four 7s, four Aces, etc. It's a powerhouse hand in the game of poker.
What Hands Does Four of a Kind Beat?
Four of a Kind is a tough hand to beat and sits comfortably near the top of the poker hand rankings. It trumps all other poker hands except for a Straight Flush and a Royal Flush. In essence, if you've got a Four of a Kind, you're in a very strong position. The only hands you need to watch out for are fairly rare hands to get in the game.
Full House
A Full House is quite the hand in poker. It's when you have three cards of one rank alongside two cards of another rank (i.e. you have 5 cards that make up a three-of-a-kind and a pair).
Does a Full House Beat a Straight?
Yes, a Full House absolutely beats a Straight. A Straight is when you have five cards in a sequential order, but not all of the same suit. While it's a good hand, it doesn't quite match up to the Full House.
Flush
A Flush in poker is quite a hand to have. It's when you manage to get five cards all of the same suit. They don't have to be sequential, just all the same suit.
Does a Flush Beat a Full House in Poker?
Let's clear this up: a Flush does not beat a Full House.
You see, a Full House, with its combo of three cards of one rank and two cards of another, sits just above a Flush in the rankings. The two hands are close, but the Full House just beats out a Flush.
So, if you're holding a Flush, you're in a good position, but keep an eye out for a Full Houses - it has the upper hand. Remember, understanding these differences is what makes poker both challenging and exciting.
Straight
A Straight in poker is when you have five cards in a sequence in terms of rank, but they're not all the same suit. For example, having cards with ranks 7,8,9,10, and J, but the suits are different.
What Does a Straight Beat In Poker?
A Straight is a decent hand, and it outperforms quite a few others. It's better than a Three of a Kind, Two Pair, One Pair, and, of course, the High Card.
The beauty of a Straight is its middle-ground ranking. It's not the highest hand you can have, but it's far from the lowest. If you have a hand containing sequentially ordered cards, you have a solid chance of winning, but there are a number of hands that sit above it, such as a Flush, a Full House, or anything better.
Three of a Kind
Three of a Kind is a poker hand that may not steal the show, but it often holds its ground quite well. This hand contains three cards with the same value (rank).
What Hands Does Three of a Kind Beat?
Three of a Kind is another middle-ground poker hand, able to trump a few other hand types.
First up, it beats out Two Pair. Imagine someone has two sets of pairs in their hand; your Three of a Kind still comes out on top. Next, it beats One Pair as well, not to mention the basic High Card hand.
In the grand scheme of things, having Three of a Kind gives you a good shot at winning the pot against these lower-ranking hands. It's not the top dog, but it's definitely not the underdog either. Remember, every hand counts and Three of a Kind could be your ticket to victory, depending on what everyone else at the table has and how the hand plays out.
Two Pair
In the poker world, having a Two Pair means you can make two different pairs of cards. Imagine you've got both a pair of twos and a pair of threes; it's not the strongest hand out there, but it certainly has its merits.
What Hands Does Two Pair Beat?
Two Pair, while towards the bottom of the list, can confidently take down a few hands.
- One Pair: First and foremost, it beats a hand with just One Pair, no matter how high that pair might be. If you've got two pairs and your opponent has only one, you're up.
- High Card: Next, it trumps any High Card hand. If no one has managed to make a pair or higher, two pairs win.
It's a solid hand that can still give you a decent chance of winning in many situations. While there are stronger hands out there, don't underestimate the power of Two Pair; it can still beat out some other hands.
One Pair
One Pair might sound humble, but it's the first step up from the most basic hand in poker. It's when you have two cards of the same rank, like a pair of sevens.
What Does One Pair Beat In Poker?
The truth is that One Pair only has the upper hand over one other type of poker hand: High Card. If your opponent hasn't managed to make any pair, two matching cards take the lead. In a showdown where everyone seems to be holding their breath, a single pair can sometimes be enough to win the pot, but this is a rare case because there are so many other hands that can beat it.
Remember, there are many ways to win in poker, even with a low-ranking hand.
High Card
In poker, the High Card is the baseline, the starting point. It's what you have if your cards don't make any of the aforementioned ranked hands. Imagine you have a mix of cards with no pairs, no sequence, and no matching suits - your hand's strength is dictated by the value of its highest-ranking card.
What Does a High Card Beat?
Truthfully, a High Card hand doesn't have the power to beat any other ranked hand in poker. If you're up against an opponent with even a single pair, you're trailing behind.
However, it's not all gloom and doom. In cases where no one at the table has managed to create a ranked hand, then it comes down to who holds the highest ranking card. So, in instances such as if your High Card is an Ace and everyone else's high card is lower, you can still clinch a win.
So, while the High Card is the lowest-ranking hand in poker, it can still have its moments where it can shine. It's all about what's on the table and reading your opponents. Remember, not all poker games make it to a showdown, so you can win even if you don't have the strongest hand. Please gamble responsibly above all else - set a budget and stick to it.