allaboutpoker

The ranking of poker hands must be memorized by all players who wish to be successful at poker.  All hands consist of five cards.  In games like seven card stud, only the best five cards in your hand count.  These rankings go from highest to lowest, with examples following each hand.

A number or capital letter denotes the rank, followed by the suit.  “T” designates a ten.  In typical online forums or blogs, rank and suit are denoted by a capital letter or number, denoting rank, followed by a lower case letter denoting suit.  For example, Ac = ace of clubs, Ts = ten of spades, 2d = deuce of diamonds.

Royal Flush Ac Kc Qc Jc Tc

A, K, Q, J and T of the same suit.  Highest possible hand.

Straight Flush Js Ts 9s 8s 7s

Five cards in a row, all in the same suit.

Four of a kind Qc Qs Qh Qd 7s

Four cards of the same rank.

Full house  9s 9d 9c 8s 8h

Three of a kind plus a pair.  Referred to by the three of a kind first, then the pair.  This hand would be called nines full of eights.  The three of a kind comes first, then the pair.  nines full of eights would outrank sevens full of kings.

 Flush Ks Ts 4s 2s 9s

Five cards of the same suit, in no particular order.  If there is more than one flush, the highest ranking card in a flush hand wins.  If tied, go to the second highest card, etc.

Straight 5s 6c 7d 8d 9s

Five cards in a row of no particular suit.  “Broadway” is the highest straight, A K Q J T.  Aces can also make the low end of a straight.  A 2 3 4 5 is the lowest possible straight, called a “wheel.”

Three of a kind Ks Kh Kc Qd Ts

Three cards of the same rank, with two non-matching cards.

Two pair Js Jc 4d 4h 9h

Two different pairs with a non-matching fifth card.  Referred to by the higher pair first.  This hand would be “Jacks-up.”  As with full houses, the higher of the two pair comes first, and if necessary, the lower two pair second.  In some cases where two players have the same two pair, the fifth card or “kicker” might come into play to break the tie.

One pair 8h 8d 7d 5s 3c

Two cards of the same rank with three additional non-matching cards.

High card As Kd 7d 5c 3s

Nothing except five unmatched cards, in this case, ace high.

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