Different Types of Poker Hand Rankings

By Jonathon Parker | Published on 2022-03-24

Welcome to the world of poker! Whether you're a beginner or a seasoned pro, understanding the different types of poker hand rankings is essential for success. In this article, we'll take a look at the various types of poker hands and how they rank in order of strength. We'll also discuss the importance of understanding the different types of poker hands and how they can help you become a better poker player. So, let's get started and explore the different types of poker hands!

High card

High card is the lowest ranking hand in poker. It is simply a hand that has no pair, straight, flush, or any other combination. It is simply the highest card in the hand. This is the most common type of hand in poker, as it is the easiest to make.

High card hands are usually not worth playing, as they are unlikely to win. However, they can be used to bluff or to call a bet. If you have a high card and your opponent has a lower card, you can call their bet and hope to win the pot. This is a risky move, however, as your opponent may have a better hand.

High card hands are also sometimes used to break ties. If two players have the same hand, the highest card in the hand will determine the winner. This is why it is important to remember the rankings of the cards, as they can be the deciding factor in a game of poker.

Pair

Pair is one of the most common hands in poker. A pair is two cards of the same rank, such as two kings or two sevens. It is the lowest ranked hand in most poker games, but it can still be a winning hand if the other players don’t have anything better.

When playing with wild cards, a pair can be made up of one wild card and one natural card. For example, a hand with a king and a wild card is considered a pair. In some games, a pair of wild cards is the highest ranked hand.

When playing with community cards, a pair can be made up of two of the same rank from the board and one of the player’s hole cards. For example, if the board is showing two kings and the player has a king in their hand, they have a pair. In this case, the player’s other hole card is irrelevant.

Two pair

Two pair is one of the most common hands in poker and is made up of two cards of the same rank, plus two more cards of the same rank. For example, if you have two Kings and two Fours, you have two pair. Two pair is a strong hand, but it is not as strong as a three of a kind or a straight.

When two players have two pair, the player with the higher pair wins. For example, if one player has two Kings and two Fours and the other player has two Aces and two Tens, the player with the two Aces wins. If both players have the same high pair, then the player with the higher second pair wins. For example, if both players have two Kings and two Fours, then the player with the higher Fours wins.

Two pair is also known as a 'double pair' or 'dual pair'. It is a strong hand, but it is still vulnerable to a full house, a four of a kind, or a straight flush. If you have two pair, it is important to be aware of the other players' hands and the board cards to determine the strength of your hand.

Three of a kind

Three of a kind is one of the most common hands in poker. It is made up of three cards of the same rank, and two other cards that are not of the same rank. For example, a hand of three Jacks and two Aces is a three of a kind.

Three of a kind is a very powerful hand, and it can be used to win a lot of money. It is usually best to play three of a kind aggressively, as it can often win the pot outright. If you are playing against a player who has a higher pair, you can often win the pot by bluffing or betting aggressively.

Three of a kind is also a great hand to use to make a flush. If you have three of a kind, you can often make a flush by discarding one of the other two cards and drawing two more of the same suit. This can be a great way to win a pot if your opponent has a weaker hand.

Straight

A Straight is one of the most common hands in poker and is ranked fifth in the official poker hand rankings. A Straight is made up of five cards in sequential order, all of the same suit. For example, a Straight could be composed of the Ace, King, Queen, Jack and Ten of Hearts.

A Straight is a very powerful hand and can be difficult to beat. It is important to remember that a Straight is only made up of five cards, so it is possible for two players to have a Straight at the same time. In this case, the player with the highest card in the Straight will win the pot. For example, if two players have a Straight of Ace-King-Queen-Jack-Ten, the player with the Ace will win the pot.

It is also possible for two players to have the same Straight. In this case, the pot is split between the two players. For example, if two players have a Straight of King-Queen-Jack-Ten-Nine, the pot will be split between them.

Flush

A flush is one of the most powerful hands in poker. It consists of five cards of the same suit, in any order. A flush beats any other hand that is not a straight or higher.

A flush is a very strong hand, but it can be beaten by a higher flush or a straight flush. A straight flush is the highest ranking hand in poker, and it consists of five cards of the same suit in sequence.

When playing a flush, it is important to remember that the highest card in the hand will determine the strength of the hand. For example, if you have a flush with two Aces, two Kings, and one Queen, the Ace is the highest card and will determine the strength of the hand. If you have a flush with two Aces, two Kings, and one Jack, the King is the highest card and will determine the strength of the hand.

Full house

A full house is one of the most powerful hands in poker. It consists of three cards of the same rank and two cards of another rank. For example, a hand of three kings and two aces is a full house.

A full house is a strong hand that is difficult to beat. It is usually the best hand in a showdown, unless someone else has a higher full house or a four of a kind. It is also a good hand to raise with pre-flop, as it has a good chance of winning the pot.

In some games, a full house is also known as a “boat”. This is because the three cards of the same rank look like a boat, with the two other cards being the passengers.

Four of a kind

Four of a kind is one of the most powerful hands in poker. It is made up of four cards of the same rank, such as four Kings or four Aces. It is also known as quads.

In most poker games, four of a kind ranks higher than a full house and lower than a straight flush. It is also higher than a flush and a straight. When two or more players have four of a kind, the highest ranking four of a kind wins.

Four of a kind is a rare hand, but it can be a very powerful one. If you are lucky enough to get four of a kind, it is important to remember that it is still possible to lose to a higher ranking hand. Therefore, it is important to know the different hand rankings and to play your cards carefully.

Straight flush

A straight flush is one of the most powerful hands in poker. It consists of five cards in sequence, all of the same suit. For example, a hand of 8-9-10-J-Q of hearts is a straight flush. A straight flush is the highest-ranking hand in most forms of poker, beating even a four of a kind.

The odds of making a straight flush are incredibly slim. In a standard deck of 52 cards, there are only four possible straight flushes. This makes them one of the rarest hands in poker, and one of the most coveted. When a player is fortunate enough to make a straight flush, they can be sure that they have a very strong hand.

A straight flush is also sometimes referred to as a “run” or “straight.” In some games, a straight flush is the highest-ranking hand, while in others it is second only to a royal flush. Regardless of the game, a straight flush is always a powerful hand and should be played with caution.

Royal flush

A Royal Flush is the highest hand in poker and is made up of all five cards of the same suit in sequence from 10 to Ace. It is the strongest possible hand in poker and is unbeatable.

A Royal Flush is a rare occurrence in poker and is usually only seen in high stakes games. It is a sign of a skilled player and is often the hand that wins the pot. The odds of getting a Royal Flush are about 1 in 650,000 hands, so it is not something that happens often.

A Royal Flush is a great hand to have and can give you a huge advantage in a poker game. It is a sign of skill and can often be the deciding factor in a game. It is a great feeling to have a Royal Flush in your hand and it can make you feel like a winner.

Conclusion

Poker hand rankings are an essential part of the game, and understanding them can be the difference between winning and losing. With so many different types of poker hands, it can be difficult to remember them all. However, with practice and dedication, you can become an expert in no time. So, take the time to learn the different types of poker hand rankings and you’ll be ready to take on any game. Good luck!