Poker Hand Rankings
The 10 Poker Hand Rankings
In standard poker (Texas Hold’em, Omaha, Stud, and most other variants), hands are ranked from best to worst as follows. A higher-ranked hand always beats a lower-ranked hand.
| Rank | Hand | Description | Example | Probability (5-card) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Royal Flush | A, K, Q, J, 10 of the same suit | A♠ K♠ Q♠ J♠ 10♠ | 0.000154% |
| 2 | Straight Flush | Five consecutive cards of the same suit | 7♥ 8♥ 9♥ 10♥ J♥ | 0.00139% |
| 3 | Four of a Kind | Four cards of the same rank | 9♠ 9♥ 9♦ 9♣ K♠ | 0.0240% |
| 4 | Full House | Three of a kind plus a pair | K♠ K♥ K♦ 7♣ 7♠ | 0.1441% |
| 5 | Flush | Five cards of the same suit, not in sequence | 2♦ 5♦ 8♦ J♦ A♦ | 0.1965% |
| 6 | Straight | Five consecutive cards, mixed suits | 4♠ 5♥ 6♦ 7♣ 8♠ | 0.3925% |
| 7 | Three of a Kind | Three cards of the same rank | 7♠ 7♥ 7♦ Q♣ 3♠ | 2.1128% |
| 8 | Two Pair | Two different pairs | J♠ J♥ 4♦ 4♣ A♠ | 4.7539% |
| 9 | One Pair | Two cards of the same rank | 10♠ 10♥ K♦ 8♣ 3♠ | 42.2569% |
| 10 | High Card | No combination; highest card plays | A♠ K♦ 9♥ 5♣ 2♠ | 50.1177% |
How Each Hand Works
Royal Flush
The best possible hand. Ten, Jack, Queen, King, and Ace, all of the same suit. All Royal Flushes are equal — there is no ranking between suits.
Straight Flush
Five cards in sequence, all the same suit. If two players both have a straight flush, the one with the higher top card wins. A Royal Flush is technically the highest straight flush.
The Ace can be used as a low card in a straight flush (A-2-3-4-5), known as a “wheel” or “bicycle.”
Four of a Kind
Four cards of identical rank plus one side card (kicker). If two players have four of a kind, the higher set of four wins. If both have the same four of a kind (in community card games), the kicker decides.
Full House
Three of a kind combined with a pair. The three-of-a-kind portion determines the rank. K-K-K-2-2 beats Q-Q-Q-A-A because kings outrank queens.
Flush
Five cards of the same suit in any order. Ranked by the highest card, then second highest, and so on. A-K-8-5-2 of hearts beats A-Q-J-10-9 of spades because the king is higher than the queen.
Straight
Five consecutive cards of mixed suits. The highest top card wins. A-K-Q-J-10 (Broadway) is the highest straight. A-2-3-4-5 (the wheel) is the lowest. The Ace cannot wrap around (Q-K-A-2-3 is not a valid straight).
Three of a Kind
Three cards of the same rank. Also called “trips” (when using two board cards and one hole card) or “a set” (when using a pocket pair plus one board card). Higher three of a kind wins.
Two Pair
Two separate pairs. Ranked by the highest pair first, then the second pair, then the kicker. J-J-4-4-A beats 10-10-9-9-K because jacks beat tens.
One Pair
Two cards of the same rank plus three unrelated cards. Higher pair wins. If pairs are equal, compare kickers in descending order.
High Card
When no other hand is made, the highest card plays. Compare the highest cards; if tied, compare the next highest, and so on.
Tiebreakers
- Compare hand rank first — a flush always beats a straight, regardless of the cards.
- Within the same rank — compare the relevant cards (e.g., the pair value for one pair, the highest card for a flush).
- Kickers — if the main cards are tied, compare the remaining side cards from highest to lowest.
- Suits never break ties — if all five cards are equivalent, the pot is split.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does a flush beat a straight?
Yes. A flush (five cards of the same suit) ranks higher than a straight (five consecutive cards of mixed suits).
Does three of a kind beat two pair?
Yes. Three of a kind ranks higher than two pair.
What is the worst hand in poker?
In Texas Hold’em, 7-2 offsuit is considered the worst starting hand because it cannot make a straight easily and the cards are too far apart to connect.
Are poker hand rankings the same in all games?
Most poker variants use the standard rankings listed above. Exceptions include lowball games (Razz, 2-7 Triple Draw) where the lowest hand wins, and some Hi-Lo split games.
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