Poker Hands

Straight Flush: A straight flush consists of five cards in sequential order, all of the same suit.

Tie-breaker rule: If two players have a straight flush, the hand with the highest top card wins.

The best possible straight flush is the royal flush, i.e, A♠ K♠ Q♠ J♠ 10♠, and it's the strongest, unbeatable hand in poker.

Four of a Kind: This hand includes four cards of the same rank, plus any fifth card, known as the kicker.

Tie-breaker rule: The player with the higher four of a kind wins.

If both players have the same four-of-a-kind (possible in community card games), the kicker (fifth card) determines the winner.

Full House

A full house is made of three cards of the same rank, and two cards of a different, matching rank.

For example: 8♣ 8♦ 8♠ K♠ K♥ (Three 8s and Two Kings)

In case of a tie:

• The player with the higher set of three wins.
• If both players have the same three-of-a-kind (from community cards), then the player with the higher pair wins.

Flush

A Flush is made up of five cards of the same suit, in any order and not in sequence.

Example: Q♣ 10♣ 7♣ 4♣ 2♣

Tiebreaker rules:

• The player with the highest card in the Flush wins.
• If tied, compare the next highest card, and so on.
• If all five cards have the exact same ranks, the pot is split.
• Suits are never used to break a tie in poker.

Straight

A Straight consists of five cards in a row, but not all of the same suit.

Example: 6♠ 5♦ 4♣ 3♠ 2♥

Tiebreaker rules:

• The Straight with the highest top card wins.
• If both players have the same high card, the hand is tied.

Note:

The Ace can be used as the highest or lowest card in a Straight and is the only card which can act in such a manner.

• High Straight: A♠ K♣ Q♦ J♥ 10♠
• Low Straight: 5♣ 4♠ 3♦ 2♥ A♦

Three of a kind

A hand with three cards of the same rank, plus two unrelated side cards.

Example: 7♣ 7♦ 7♠ K♠ 4♥

Tiebreaker:

• The player with the higher set of three wins.
• In community card games where players have the same three of a kind, the highest side card, and if necessary, the second-highest side card wins.

Two Pair

A hand that has two cards of one rank, two cards of another rank, and one side card.

Example: 9♠ 9♦ 5♣ 5♥ K♣

Tiebreaker:

• The player with the higher pair wins.
• If the top pair is tied, the second pair is compared.
• If both pairs are the same, the highest side card (kicker) decides the winner.

One Pair

A hand with two cards of the same rank, and three unmatched side cards.

Example: Q♠ Q♦ 10♥ 7♣ 2♠

Tiebreaker:

• The player with the higher pair wins.
• If both pairs are the same, the highest side card is compared.
• If needed, the second and third side cards (kickers) are used to break the tie.

High Card

When no player has any of the ranked hands above, the winner is determined by the highest single card in their hand.

Example: A♣ 10♦ 8♠ 5♣ 2♦

Tiebreaker:

• The player with the highest card wins.
• If tied, compare the second-highest card, then third, fourth, and fifth if needed.
• If all five cards match in rank, the pot is split.

Common Mistakes to Avoid In Your Next Poker Game

Experienced players also sometimes mix up the hand rankings. To be sure of your hand rankings, here are a few mistakes you should watch out for:

• Don't confuse a Straight, Flush, and Straight Flush

  A Straight is five cards in order, a Flush is five cards of the same suit, and a Straight Flush is both, five suited cards in sequence.

  A Straight Flush beats both a regular Straight and a Flush.

• Ace cannot sit in the middle of a Straight

  The Ace can only be the highest card (A-K-Q-J-10) or the lowest (5-4-3-2-A). A hand like Q-K-A-2-3 is not a valid Straight.