Poker Hands Ranking | A Beginner’s Guide | Updated 2024

If you’re new to poker and eager to learn the game, you’ve come to the right place! In this blog post, we’ll break it down in simple terms with what a poker hand is, and then delve into how to understand the poker hand ranking.

Let’s get started on your poker journey!

Table of Contents

• What Is Poker?
• Poker Hands Ranking Chart (From Highest to Lowest)
• Key Takeaways 
• FAQs

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What Is Poker?

Poker is a fun and popular card game that blends skill, strategy, and a little luck. It’s played with a regular deck of 52 cards and involves multiple players competing against each other. Poker aims to win bets by having the best hand or convincing your opponents to fold their hands.

So, what does poker hand mean? 

In poker, a “hand” refers to the combination of cards a player holds during the game. Each player receives a certain number of cards, depending on the specific poker variant being played. The objective is to create the best possible hand compared to other players at the table.

(A poker hand typically consists of five cards, although some variants may use fewer or more cards. The ranking of hands determines their relative strength, with the highest-ranking hand winning the pot.)

Here’s how a typical poker game works

Players take turns placing bets into a central pot, and the game progresses through several rounds. In each round, players receive face-down cards (known as “hole cards”) and face-up community cards that everyone can use. Throughout the game, opportunities exist to bet, raise the stakes, match previous bets, or fold and leave the round.

The key to success in poker lies in making clever decisions. You’ll need to consider your hand’s strength and determine what your opponents might have. Poker hands ranking plays a vital role in determining the winner of each round. They assign value to different combinations of cards, from the highest-ranking royal flush to the simplest high card.

Poker Hands Ranking Chart (From Highest to Lowest)

Remember, understanding hand rankings is the secret sauce to dominating the poker table. It allows you to gauge the power of your hand, anticipate your opponent’s moves, and make savvy choices.

So, here’s a poker hands ranking chart from strongest to weakest you must know, along with what beats what:

1. Royal Flush: The top-ranking hand in poker is the legendary royal flush: A, K, Q, J, 10 of the same suit. It beats all other hands.
2. Straight Flush:  It’s a sequence of five cards in the same suit, such as 6, 7, 8, 9, and 10 of hearts. It beats all hands below it, except for a higher-ranked straight flush or royal flush.
3. Four of a Kind: Picture having four cards of the same rank, like four Aces. It beat all hands below it, except for higher-ranked four-of-a-kind, straight flush, or royal flush.
4. Full House: It includes three cards of the same rank, plus a pair of cards of another rank. For example, three Queens and two Jacks make for a full house. Full house beats all hands below it, except for higher-ranked full houses, four-of-a-kind, straight flush, or royal flush.
5. Flush: Any five cards of the same suit, not necessarily in sequential order. Flush beats all hands below it, except for higher-ranked flushes, full houses, four-of-a-kind, straight flush, or royal flush.
6. Straight: The straight is a sequence of five cards in any suit. For instance, 3, 4, 5, 6, and 7 of mixed suits can form a straight. It beats all hands lower, except for higher-ranked straights, flushes, full houses, four-of-a-kind, straight flush, or royal flush.
7. Three of a Kind: Three cards of the same rank, when you have three cards of the same rank, like three Kings. It beats all hands below it, except for higher-ranked three-of-a-kind, straights, flushes, full houses, four-of-a-kind, straight flush, or royal flush.
8. Two Pair: Two sets of cards of the same rank, such as two Aces and two Jacks. It beats all hands below it, except for higher-ranked two pairs, three-of-a-kind, straights, flushes, full houses, four-of-a-kind, straight flush, or royal flush.
9. One Pair: Two cards of the same rank and three unrelated cards, like two Queens. It beats all hands below except for higher-ranked one pair, two pairs, three-of-a-kind, straights, flushes, full houses, four-of-a-kind, straight flush, or royal flush.
10. High Card: When no other hand combination is achieved, the highest-ranking card in your hand determines its value. It beats only lower-ranked high cards. The highest card determines the winner if multiple players have high card hands. If the highest cards tie, the second-highest card is considered, and so on.

It’s essential to remember that poker variants may have slight variations in poker hands’ ranking, so it’s always a good idea to review the specific rules of the game you’re playing to ensure accuracy.

Key Takeaways 

Now that you’re familiar with the Poker Hands Ranking Chart, you can have an enjoyable poker session with your friends! We hope the provided information will help you understand the hierarchy of hands and make your gameplay more exciting. 

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FAQs About Poker Hands Ranking