If you’re interested in poker, you must have heard about the hierarchy of poker hands. It is essential to understand this concept because it determines the winner in a game of poker. In this article, we will cover the basics of the hierarchy of poker hands, starting with the strongest hand and working our way down to the weakest.
Royal Flush
A Royal Flush is the highest-ranking hand in poker. It is a combination of a 10, Jack, Queen, King, and Ace of the same suit. It is unbeatable and wins every time, but it is also extremely rare.
Straight Flush
The second strongest hand in poker is the Straight Flush. It consists of five consecutive cards of the same suit. For example, 5-6-7-8-9 of hearts. If two players have a Straight Flush, the player with the highest card wins.
Four of a Kind
A Four of a Kind is the third strongest hand in poker. It consists of four cards of the same rank and any fifth card. For example, four Aces and a 5. If two players have Four of a Kind, the player with the highest rank of the four cards wins.
Full House
A Full House is the fourth strongest hand in poker. It consists of three cards of the same rank and two cards of another rank. For example, three Kings and two Queens. If two players have a Full House, the player with the highest ranking three cards wins.
Flush
A Flush is the fifth strongest hand in poker. It consists of five cards of the same suit, but not in sequential order. If two players have a Flush, the player with the highest card wins.
Straight
A Straight is the sixth strongest hand in poker. It consists of five consecutive cards of any suit. For example, 5-6-7-8-9. If two players have a Straight, the player with the highest card wins.
Three of a Kind
A Three of a Kind is the seventh strongest hand in poker. It consists of three cards of the same rank and any two cards. For example, three 8s and a 4 and a 9. If two players have a Three of a Kind, the player with the highest rank of the three cards wins.
Two Pair
A Two Pair is the eighth strongest hand in poker. It consists of two cards of one rank, two cards of another rank, and any fifth card. For example, two Jacks, two 4s, and a 9. If two players have a Two Pair, the player with the highest ranking pair wins.
One Pair
A One Pair is the ninth strongest hand in poker. It consists of two cards of the same rank and any three cards. For example, two 10s, a 3, a 5, and a King. If two players have One Pair, the player with the highest ranking pair wins.
High Card
If no players have any of the above hands, the player with the highest card wins. For example, if two players have no pairs, the player with the highest card wins.
Conclusion
Hierarchy of Poker Hands: The hierarchy of poker hands is a fundamental concept in poker. Knowing the order of hands from the strongest to the weakest is crucial to winning at poker. It is also important to note that poker is a game of skill and luck, and even if you have the strongest hand, you can still lose the game. So, keep practicing and improving your skills.
FAQs
Q1. Can a Royal Flush be beaten?
A1. No, a Royal Flush is the highest-ranking hand in poker and cannot be beaten.
Q2. What if two players have the same hand?
A2. In such a case, the pot is split between the two players.
Q3. Can a straight go from King to Ace?
A3. No, a straight cannot go from King to Ace. In poker, Ace can be used as the lowest card in a straight, but not the highest.
Q4. Is it necessary to have the same suit in a straight?
A4. No, it is not necessary to have the same suit in a straight. A straight can consist of five cards of any suit, but they must be in sequential order.
Q5. Is it possible to have two Four of a Kind hands in one game?
A5. It is rare, but it is possible to have two Four of a Kind hands in one game. If this happens, the player with the highest ranking Four of a Kind wins.
Reference
- “Poker Hand Rankings” by Ignition Casino – https://www.ignitioncasino.eu/poker/hand-rankings
- “Poker Hand Rankings” by 888poker – https://www.888poker.com/magazine/strategy/poker-hand-rankings-which-hand-are-you
- “Ranking of Poker Hands” by The Spruce Crafts – https://www.thesprucecrafts.com/ranking-of-poker-hands-612409
