Poker Hand Ranking

If there are at least two players that have not folded in the end of a poker hand, in order to determine the winner, every one of them has to show their hand. It is called a showdown.

Poker hand ranking

In determining the winning hand, the poker hand ranking is used first. The hand of the highest rank wins.

Royal flush

Five consecutive cards from ten to ace, all of the same suit.The best possible and rarest poker hand. If more than one player has a royal flush, the pot is split.


There is no higher or lower royal flush possible.

Straight flush

Five consecutive cards of the same suit. Like its name says, it is both straight and flush at the same time. If more than one player has a straight flush, then the straight flush with a higher top card is the winning hand.

For example, 98765 beats 65432.

Four of a kind

Four cards of the same rank. Also called quads. If more than one player shows a four of a kind, then the card rank determines the winner.


For example, QQQQA beats 5555A.

Full house

A combination of a three of a kind and a pair. Also called full boat. If more than one player has a full house, then first the rank of the three of a kind is compared and then the rank of the pair.

For example, AAA22 beats KKK22 and AAAKK beats AAA22.

Flush

Any non-consecutive five cards of the same suit. If more than one player shows a flush, then the flush with a higher top card is the winning hand.


For example, AKJ89 beats KJ897.

Straight

Five consecutive cards of mixed suits. If more than one player has a straight, then the straight with a higher top card is the winning hand.


For example, 98765 beats 76543.

Three of a kind

Three cards of the same rank. Also called set, trips, or triplets. If more than one player shows a three of a kind, then the higher three of a kind rank determines the winner.


For example, KKK23 beats 88823.

Two pair

A combination of two pairs of cards of the same rank. If more than one player has a two pair, then first the higher pairs are compared, then the second pair.


For example, AA227 beats KK227 and AA884 beats AA334.

Pair

Two cards of the same rank. If more than one player shows a pair, then the pair of a higher rank is the winning hand.



For example, AA456 beats 88456.

High card

Any five non-consecutive of mixed ranks and suits. If more than one player shows a high card, then the high card with a higher top card determines the winner.


For example, AKJ32 beats KJ932.

Kickers and suits

Whenever there is a tie in a showdown after using the poker hand ranking, kickers are taken into account. A kicker is a card that does not take part in determining the hand rank, QQQQ8 is four of a kind, queens with an eight kicker. There maybe more than one kicker – in AA234 there is a pair and three kickers – a two, three, and a four.

When comparing kickers, first the kickers of the highest ranks are used. The kicker of the higher rank determines the winner. When players show the same highest kickers, the second highest kickers are compared and so on, until there is no kicker left.

If there is still a tie after comparing kickers, the pot is split. Card suits are of equal value so they do not matter in determining the winning hand in poker.

More articles on poker rules:

 Poker rules
 Poker variants
 Texas Holdem rules
 Omaha rules
 7 Card Stud rules
 Betting limits
 High-low variants
 Table types

Go back to the Online Poker Strategy.