Poker Hand Hierarchy – Poker Hand Ranking

The second step after we learn the rules of poker (Click here to read our previous tutorial) is to learn and remember all poker hand rankings. This is a very important and fundamental step. Don't start playing poker before you know and remember all the hand rankings.

When revealing cards (at Showdown) the player holding the strongest five-card combination is the winner. The strongest hand combines the strongest cards the player has whether they are his personal cards or the community cards.
See below the full list of all poker hand rankings, from the strongest hand (Royal Flush) to the weakest hand (High card).

Royal Flush

Royal Flush

The rare and strongest hand in poker is the Royal flush. A sequence of cards from 10 to ace from the same suit. There are only 4 combinations for a Royal Straight Flush. The probability of getting a Royal Flush is 1 in 649,737.

Straight Flush

Straight Flush

Any sequence of 5 cards of the same suit. There are 36 combinations for Straight Flush. The probability of getting a Straight Flush is 1 in 72,193.

Four of a Kind

Four of a Kind

The third strongest hand in poker is four of a kind which means holding 4 cards of the same rank. The probability of getting a Quad is 1 in 4,164.

Full House

Full House

The fourth strongest hand in poker is called a Full House, a combination of three cards of the same rank with another pair of cards of the same rank. The strongest Full House is 3 aces with two kings. The probability of getting a full house is 1 in 693.

Flush

Flush

The fifth strongest hand in poker is called a Flush. A combination of 5 cards of the same suit. If two or more players hold a flush, the player with the highest ranking color cards wins. The probability of getting a Flush is 1 in 508.

Straight

Straight

The sixth strongest hand in poker is called Straight. A combination of 5 cards in ascending order, no matter which suit. If two or more players hold the straight, the player holding the highest card rank at the end of the sequence will win. The probability of getting a Straight is 1 in 253.

Three of a Kind - Poker Hand Rankings

Three of a kind

The seventh strongest hand in poker is called Three of a Kind. A combination of 3 cards of the same rank. If two or more players hold three of a kind, the player holding the Three-of-a-Kind card with the highest rank will win. If more than one players have the same combination, the winner will be decided according to the side card each player holds. The probability of getting a trio is 1 in 46.

Two Pairs

Two Pairs

The eighth strongest hand in poker is Two Pairs. A combination of two pairs of cards from the same rank. If two or more players hold pairs, the player holding the highest ranking cards pair will win. The probability of getting Two Pairs is 1 in 20.

Pair

Pair

The common hand in poker is to hold a Pair which is 2 cards from the same rank. It might mean holding it in your hand or making a pair with one of the community cards on the table. If two or more players hold a pair, the winner is the one holding the pair with the highest ranking cards. If two or more players have the same pair, the winner will be the one with the strongest side cards. The probability of getting a Pair is 1 in 1.36.

High Card

High Card

If we have reached a show down and none of the players have been able to put together a winning combination, the player holding the highest card between all players will win. If two players hold the same highest card, the player holding the highest side card will win.

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