Hand Rankings
Learn every poker hand from High Card to Royal Flush and understand which hands beat which.
Introduction
Every Texas Hold'em decision depends on understanding hand strength. Hand rankings determine the winner whenever two or more players reach showdown.
The complete ranking
Poker hands are ranked according to how difficult they are to make.
Royal Flush
Straight Flush
Four of a Kind
Full House
Flush
Straight
Three of a Kind
Two Pair
One Pair
High Card
Pairs and kickers
When players have the same category of hand, individual card ranks are used to break the tie. A side card used to determine the winner is commonly called a kicker.
Straights
A straight contains five cards in consecutive rank. Suits do not matter. An Ace can normally be high, but it can also complete the low straight A-2-3-4-5.
Flushes
A flush contains five cards of the same suit. If two players have a flush, the highest card in each flush is compared first.
Key Takeaways
Remember these concepts.
Always know the ranking of all ten hand categories.
A flush beats a straight.
A full house beats a flush.
Kickers can decide the winner when hand categories match.
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Poker Basics
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03
Table & Positions