Official Poker Hand Rankings
Welcome to the definitive guide to Poker Hand Rankings. At Master Poker, we know that instant recognition of hand strength is a fundamental skill that separates winning players from the rest. This guide provides a clear, top-to-bottom list of every possible hand in Texas Hold’em.
Memorizing this hierarchy is non-negotiable. Knowing that a Flush beats a Straight, or that your Three of a Kind is vulnerable to a Full House, will inform every decision you make at the table. Let’s dive in.
1. Royal Flush
The highest possible hand in poker. A Royal Flush is made of Ace, King, Queen, Jack, and 10, all of the same suit. It is unbeatable.
A♠ K♠ Q♠ J♠ 10♠
2. Straight Flush
Five cards in sequential order, all of the same suit. If two players have a Straight Flush, the one with the higher-ranking top card wins.
9♥ 8♥ 7♥ 6♥ 5♥
3. Four of a Kind
Four cards of the same rank, with one other card known as a “kicker.” Also known as “quads.” If two players have Four of a Kind (which is only possible with community cards), the higher-ranking four cards win.
J♣ J♠ J♥ J♦ 5♠
4. Full House
A hand containing three cards of one rank and two cards of another rank. This is also called a “boat.” When comparing Full Houses, the hand with the higher-ranking three-card set wins.
K♣ K♠ K♥ 8♦ 8♣
For example, K-K-K-8-8 beats Q-Q-Q-A-A.
5. Flush
Any five cards of the same suit, not in sequential order. If two players have a Flush, the player with the highest single card in their Flush wins. If their highest cards are the same, the next-highest cards are compared, and so on.
A♦ J♦ 8♦ 4♦ 2♦
6. Straight
Five cards of sequential rank, but in different suits. Aces can be used as the highest card (A-K-Q-J-10) or the lowest card (A-2-3-4-5) to complete a Straight.
7♠ 6♥ 5♦ 4♣ 3♠
7. Three of a Kind
Three cards of the same rank, with two unrelated side cards. Also known as “trips” or a “set.” If two players have Three of a Kind, the higher-ranking three cards win.
10♣ 10♥ 10♠ Q♦ 5♣
8. Two Pair
A hand containing two cards of one rank, two cards of another rank, and one unrelated side card. When comparing hands with Two Pair, the hand with the highest-ranking pair wins. If both players have the same high pair, the second pair is compared.
A♥ A♠ 9♣ 9♦ 6♣
9. One Pair
A hand containing two cards of the same rank and three unrelated side cards. When comparing hands with One Pair, the hand with the higher-ranking pair wins.
K♥ K♠ 10♦ 8♣ 4♠
10. High Card
If no player can make any of the hands listed above, the player with the single highest-ranking card wins. The hand is named after its highest card, e.g., “Ace-high.”
A♠ Q♥ 9♦ 7♣ 3♠
The Importance of the “Kicker”
In many situations, two players will have the same type of hand (e.g., both have One Pair of Aces). When this happens, the winner is decided by the highest-ranking side card, known as the kicker.
Example:
- Player A has: A♥ K♣
- Player B has: A♠ Q♦
- The Community Cards are: A♣ 8♠ 5♥ 2♦
Both Player A and Player B have One Pair of Aces. To determine the winner, we look at their next-highest card (the kicker). Player A’s best five-card hand is A-A-K-8-5, while Player B’s is A-A-Q-8-5. Since a King is higher than a Queen, Player A wins the pot thanks to their King kicker.
The kicker is used to break ties for High Card, One Pair, Two Pair, Three of a Kind, and Four of a Kind.
Now that you have mastered the official hand rankings, you can confidently evaluate your hand’s strength in any situation. The next step is to apply this knowledge effectively. Continue your journey by exploring our Poker Cheat Sheet for quick reminders or our guide on Bankroll Management to protect your funds.