Hand Rankings

Rankings of Poker Hands

This is a listing of poker hands from best to worst.  Obviously the most desirable hands are at the top.  Remember, most big pots are won by a pair, two pairs or three of a kind.  Even professional poker players don't see the Royal Flush very often!

1. Royal Flush:  Just try to keep a poker face while you're looking at this hand!  If you can keep your heart rate in check, the sweat from rolling down your forehead, and the smile off your face, this is the hand to bet!  A royal flush consists of five consecutive cards from 10 to Ace of the same suit (ex. A K Q J 10)
2. Straight Flush:  Another hand that's hard to keep your heart from jumping out of your chest!  This is five cards in a row (straight), all the same suit.  A Royal Flush is simply the highest straight flush possible!  Here are some examples: 9 8 7 6 5 or 7 6 5 4 3.
3. Four of a Kind | Quads: Having all four cards of the same number or rank.  Examples: 5 5 5 5 or 2 2 2 2 .
4. Full House | Full Boat | Boat : Three of a kind and a pair in one hand.  The proper lingo to use when revealing your full house is the three of a kind "full of" the pair - here are a couple examples.  A-A-A-5-5 is aces full of fives.  4-4-4-K-K is fours full of kings.
5. Flush: Five cards of the same suit.  Q-9-8-4-3 is a Queen high flush. Any combination of five cards in the same suit is a flush.
6. Straight: Five cards in a row, in numeric order.  2-3-4-5-6and 9-10-J-Q-K are both straights. 
7. Three of a Kind | Trips | A Set: Three cards of the same rank or three of one card.  7-7-7 is a set of sevens.  K-K-K is trip Kings or a set of Kings.
8. Two Pair: Two of a kind twice in the same hand, or a pair of pairs. 2-2-3-3or 7-7-J-Jare examples.
9. One Pair: Two of a kind.  5-5or A-A are examples of pairs.
10. High Cards: The highest five cards from the Ace down to the Two.  A-J-9-7-2 is Ace-Jack high.