Explanation of Hand Rankings
Here, we will outline the various poker hands categorized by their strength, beginning with the weakest hand. Although the rankings provided here are widely accepted in most poker formats, they may not apply universally across all variants. For instance, in the variant known as 6-plus Hold’em (which is played with a reduced deck), a flush actually beats a full house. lowball In games like Razz, the winner is determined by the holder of the 'worst' hand, so further information can be found under the glossary entry for low hands.
High Hand – In a situation where none of the players at the table have formed a made hand (which means at least a pair), the pot is given to the player with the best 'high hand.'
For example in Hold’em -
Board: J ♥ 9 ♥ 4 ♠ 2 ♠ 3 ♣
Hand 1: A ♦ K ♦
Hand 2: K ♠ Q ♠
In this scenario, neither player forms a pair, so the pot goes to the player with the highest valued hole card. An Ace is the highest ranked card in this case, which means hand 1 wins this encounter. If both players have the same high card, the next highest card is examined to determine the winner. In this situation, hand 1 is labeled as 'Ace high,' whereas hand 2 is referred to as 'King high.'
Now let’s adjust the example so that both players share the top-ranked card.
Board: J ♥ 9 ♥ 4 ♥ 2 ♥ 3 ♣
Hand 1: A ♦ K ♦
Hand 2: A ♠ Q ♠
With both players having the same highest card does not imply that they will split the pot. By looking at their second hole cards, we find that hand 1 has 'Ace-King high' and hand 2 has 'Ace-Queen high.' Therefore, hand 2 clinches the pot. Let’s explore one more example.
Board: J ♥ 9 ♥ 4 ♠ 2 ♠ 2 ♣
Hand 1: A ♦ 7 ♦
Hand 2: A ♠ 8 ♠
Remember that in Hold'em, it is critical to use five cards when forming a hand. Being aware of this guideline will clarify the subsequent example.
Initially, note that neither hand 1 nor hand 2 are considered high-card hands since there is a pair on the board—both players possess a pair of twos. Nevertheless, it’s important to mention that, due to neither player forming a pair with their hole cards, the strength of the hand is often informally referred to as 'Ace high,' despite it being technically a pair of twos. So, who takes the win here?
It might seem simple to assume that hand 2 is the winner since it has a higher side card. However, here we realize the importance of examining the complete five-card hand when determining the victor.
Hand 1: 2 ♠ 2 ♣ A ♦ J ♥ 9 ♥
Hand 2: 2 ♠ 2 ♣ A ♠ J ♥ 9 ♥
It's evident that the current situation results in a tie. Each player has a pair of twos, accompanied by an Ace, Jack, and Nine. Since the pair is displayed on the board, it’s typical to say that 'both players tie with Ace high.'
Pair – A pair is formed when exactly two cards in your hand share the same rank.
For example, in Hold’em -
Board: J ♥ 9 ♥ 4 ♠ 2 ♠ 3 ♣
Hand 1: A ♦ J ♦
Hand 2: Q ♠ J ♣
Hand 3: K ♠ K ♦
Both hand 1 and hand 2 show a pair of jacks. When two players have the same pair, the outcome is decided by the side cards, often termed kickers. Hand 1 presents a pair of jacks along with an Ace kicker, while hand 2 pairs jacks accompanied by a Queen kicker.
Hand 3 also creates a pair, but solely from its hole cards as it features a pocket pair. This allows hand 3 to surpass both hand 1 and hand 2 since it holds a higher pair.
Board: A ♥ 9 ♥ T ♠ 8 ♣ 2 ♦
Hand 1: A ♠ 5 ♠
Hand 2: A ♦ 4 ♦
This scenario underscores the importance of using five cards in Hold’em. At first glance, it may appear that hand 2 is superior due to its higher side card, but both hands actually tie. Both hands consist of a pair of Aces, supplemented by Ten, Nine, and Eight as supporting cards.
Board: A ♥ T ♦ J ♦ 2 ♣ 2 ♠
Hand 1: A ♠ Q ♠
Hand 2: A ♦ K ♦
Given that there is a pair available on the board, both hand 1 and hand 2 technically have two pairs—Aces and Deuces. Since one of the pairs originates from the community cards and influences both players' hands, they are informally described as having 'one pair,' even though in reality they possess two pairs. In this case, hand 2 triumphs due to having the stronger kicker.
Two-Pair – A two-pair hand consists of two sets of pairs, each comprising two cards of identical rank.
For example, in Hold’em -
Board: A ♥ T ♦ J ♦ 2 ♣ 4 ♠
Hand 1: T ♠ J ♠
Hand 2: A ♦ 4 ♣
Remember, the strength of a two-pair hand is dictated by the rank of the highest pair. In this instance, hand 1 boasts two pairs of Tens and Jacks, whereas hand 2 includes two pairs of Aces and Fours. In this case, hand 2 wins, as the highest pair is the strongest, despite the second pair being weaker. If both high pairs are the same, the second pair's rank will determine the winner, and if it's also equal, then the kicker is used.
Board: A ♥ T ♦ J ♦ 2 ♣ 2 ♠
Hand 1: T ♠ J ♠
Hand 2: A ♦ 5 ♣
The previous example can be perplexing for novice players since it may seem like hand 1 has two pairs, while hand 2 only possesses one. This is somewhat accurate; hand 2 often gets the informal label of 'one pair' since its second pair derives from the board.
However, hand 2 legitimately wins here as it forms a stronger two pair. Analyzing each hand into its precise five-card arrangement can provide clarity.
Hand 1: T ♠ T ♦ J ♠ J ♦ A ♥ (Jacks and Tens with an Ace kicker)
Hand 2: A ♦ A ♥ 2 ♣ 2 ♠ J ♦ (Aces and Twos with a Jack kicker)
In some ways, this can feel 'unjust' as hand 1 has paired both of its hole cards, whereas hand 2 has only paired one. When a two-pair hand is outdone because of a pairing on the board, it is referred to as 'getting counterfeited.'
Board: 7 ♥ 7 ♦ 8 ♦ 8 ♣ J ♠
Hand 1: A ♦ Q ♣
Hand 2: 4 ♦ 4 ♣
Let's look at another case of counterfeiting. Here, both players achieve two pairs of Sevens and Eights from the board. Hand 2 forms its two pairs, Fours and Sevens, due to its pocket pair. After the turn reveals an Eight, the board now supports a better two-pair (Sevens and Eights), and thus hand 2 cannot utilize its pocket pair to finalize its five-card hand. Since both players possess the same two-pair, the deciding factor shifts to the kickers. In this case, hand 1 has an Ace kicker, while hand 2 has a Jack kicker, leading to hand 1 taking the pot, even without utilizing any of its hole cards for a pair. Here, hand 2’s pocket pair is viewed as having been 'counterfeited.'
Even though both hands possess two pairs in absolute terms, hand 1 is often informally described as 'Ace high', while hand 2 is simply referred to as 'board'. It’s important to note how hand 2 does not incorporate any of its hole cards to establish its final five-card hand.
Three of a Kind – This occurs when we possess three cards of the same rank.
Board: T ♠ T ♣ 5 ♦
Hand 1: K ♦ T ♥
Hand 2: A ♦ T ♦
In the example above, both hand 1 and hand 2 showcase three of a kind with Tens. When three of a kind is formed using solely one of the hole cards, it is often called 'trips.'
Since both players reveal the same rank of three of a kind, the decision comes down to the kickers. Hand 1 has trips of Tens with a King kicker while hand 2 has trips of Tens with an Ace kicker, resulting in hand 2 winning due to its higher kicker.
Board: T ♠ 9 ♣ 5 ♦
Hand 1: 9 ♦ 9 ♥
Hand 2: 5 ♣ 5 ♥
Once again, both players form three of a kind. When three of a kind is made using a pocket pair, it is typically referred to as a 'set.' In cases where players have three of a kind of different ranks, the player with the highest ranked three of a kind is deemed the winner.
Board: T ♥ T ♠ T ♦ 4 ♣ 5 ♣
Hand 1: A ♦ Q ♦
Hand 2: A ♥ K ♥
In this scenario, both players create trips solely through the community cards. As neither player’s hole cards assist in forming the three of a kind, these holdings are often casually called 'Ace high.' Both players technically possess three of a kind Tens with an Ace kicker. Initially, it might seem that these hands would tie, but it’s crucial to remember that a full five-card hand must be utilized to determine a complete hand, allowing a second kicker to serve as the tie-breaker. Hand 1 has trips of Tens with an Ace and Queen kicker while hand 2 has trips of Tens with an Ace and King kicker. Therefore, hand 2 wins the pot as its second kicker is superior.
Straight – A straight is established when we possess five cards arranged consecutively by rank.
For example, in Hold’em -
Board: Q ♠ T ♦ 9 ♥
Hand 1: K ♣ J ♣
Hand 2: J ♦ 8 ♦
In this instance, both hand 1 and hand 2 successfully create a straight. When two players accomplish a straight, the winner is determined by the highest card that constitutes the straight. Hand 1 has a 'King-high straight,' while hand 2 holds a 'Queen-high straight,' leading to hand 1 taking the pot.
The top straight in poker is known as the Ace-high straight (TJQKA), commonly referred to as 'Broadway.' The Ace can also be incorporated to form the lowest straight, A2345, known as 'the wheel.' However, it’s worth noting that an Ace cannot be positioned in the middle of a straight. For example, QKA23 is classified as merely Ace-high and not a straight.
Board: K ♠ Q ♠ T ♣ 9 ♥ 5 ♦
Hand 1: J ♥ 8 ♥
Hand 2: A ♦ J ♦
It’s possible to create a straight using only one (or even none) of our hole cards. Hand 1 completes the King-high straight using solely its Jack. Although the Eight could connect to the potential straight, it is irrelevant here since it doesn’t contribute to a King-high straight (9TJQK). In this case, hand 1 technically has an impressive 6-card straight, but this fact holds no weight in a poker variant that only considers 5 cards when forming a hand.
Hand 2 prevails in this instance as it can combine the Jack and the Ace to form an Ace-high Broadway straight.
Flush – Achieving a flush requires having five cards that all belong to the same suit.
For example, in Hold’em:
Board: K ♥ 5 ♥ 2 ♥
Hand 1: A ♥ T ♥
Hand 2: Q ♥ J ♥
In the following scenario, both hand 1 and hand 2 successfully form a flush on the flop. When multiple players achieve a flush, the determiner of victory is the highest ranked card included in their flush.
Hand 1 creates an Ace-high heart flush, whereas hand 2 forms a King-high heart flush. Consequently, hand 1 emerges as the winner in this face-off. It's worth noting that despite hand 2’s flush being technically classified as King-high, it's commonly referred to as a 'Queen-high flush' due to the King of hearts already being visible on the board.
Board: K ♥ 5 ♥ 2 ♥ 3 ♥ 4 ♣
Hand 1: T ♥ 6 ♥
Hand 2: Q ♥ T ♣
In the game of Hold’em, it is also viable to complete a flush using only a single hole card from your hand. In this particular case, both players achieve a King-high flush, but hand 1 makes use of both of its hole cards while hand 2 only utilizes one. Nevertheless, hand 2 is crowned the winner since its second highest card in the flush is the Queen. This results in hand 1 forming a King-Ten-high heart flush, and hand 2 achieving a King-Queen-high heart flush. For simplicity, hand 1 is typically called a 'Ten-high flush,' while hand 2 is known as a 'Queen-high flush.'
Full-House – A full house is achieved when you possess both a pair and three cards of the same rank in your five-card hand.
For example, in Hold’em:
Board: A ♠ J ♣ J ♦ Q ♠ 5 ♠
Hand 1: A ♥ J ♠
Hand 2: Q ♣ Q ♥
In this scenario, both hand 1 and hand 2 successfully make full houses. The strength of each full house is evaluated based on the triplet (three of a kind) aspect. Hand 1 contains three Jacks, while hand 2 boasts three Queens, giving victory to hand 2 in this competition. Full houses are typically referred to using the following descriptions -
Hand 1: Jacks full of Aces
Hand 2: Queens full of Jacks
It's important to note that full houses are often named primarily by their triplet component, as this signifies their strength. The pair is only relevant for comparison if it ties with the triplet component.
Board: J ♣ J ♦ T ♥ Ts5 ♠
Hand 1: A ♥ J ♥
Hand 2: A ♦ T ♦
In this case, both players again secure a full house, but this time they only utilize one hole card. As is common with Hold’em hands, the comparative strength is generally diminished when only one hole card contributes to the final five-card hand. Even though hand 2 has the full house, caution is advised against better hands, because any Jack would result in a stronger full house. To distinguish between strong and weak full houses, terms like 'overfull' and 'underfull' come into play. Here, hand 1 carries the overfull with his Jx while hand 2 has the underfull from his Tx.
If two players hold identical full houses, they will automatically tie. Given that forming a full house uses precisely five cards, there’s no opportunity for tiebreaking based on additional cards.
It's also common for full houses to be casually called 'boats' or 'full boats.'
Four of a Kind – You achieve four of a kind when you hold four cards that are all of the same rank. This situation leaves room for one additional kicker card. Players often informally refer to four of a kind as 'quads.'
For example, in Hold’em:
Board: Q ♣ Q ♦ 5 ♥ 5 ♦ 2 ♠
Hand 1: Q ♥ Q ♠
Hand 2: 5 ♣ 5 ♠
While this situation is quite rare in Hold’em, the above example illustrates a case where both players achieve quads utilizing pocket pairs. When two players end up with quads, the winner is identified by the rank of their quads. Since quads are so uncommon head-to-head, some casinos offer a bad-beat jackpot where the player who loses (and sometimes other table participants) receives a significant payout from the house.
A slightly more frequent occurrence of two players holding quads happens when the quads show up solely on the community cards.
Board: Q ♥ Q ♦ Q ♠ 5 ♦ Q ♣
Hand 1: K ♦ K ♠
Hand 2: A ♠ 4 ♣
This scenario exemplifies the idea of 'counterfeiting.' Hand 1 has a formidable full house on the turn, specifically Queens over Kings. However, once the fourth Queen appears on the river, hand 1 can no longer use his pair of Kings from his pocket because he must rely on the four of a kind Queens, which is the strongest hand available.
This configuration leaves space for one kicker, so hand 1 appropriates one of his Kings as that kicker. Interestingly, even though hand 2 was virtually worthless on the turn, it now has transformed into the best hand by the river. It boasts quad Kings complemented by an Ace kicker, outdoing hand 1 ’s King kicker. As a result, hand 1 often feels quite unfortunate at this moment, as this situation is commonly described as 'getting counterfeited.'
Straight Flush – A straight flush is made when you have five cards that are sequentially ordered and all share the same suit.
For example, in Hold’em
Board: T ♥ 9 ♥ 5 ♣ 6 ♣ J ♥
Hand 1: Q ♥ K ♥
Hand 2: 7 ♥ 8 ♥
Here, both hand 1 and hand 2 achieve a straight flush. Similar to usual straights, the value of a straight flush is determined by its highest card. The Ace stands as the highest card, but an Ace-high straight flush is specifically known as a 'royal flush.'
In this instance, hand 1 holds a King-high straight flush, while hand 2 has a Jack-high straight flush.
Royal Flush – A royal flush occurs when one makes a straight from Ten to Ace, all in the same suit.
Board: Q ♥ T ♥ K ♥
Hand: A ♥ J ♥
The royal flush is recognized as the ultimate hand in poker, making it unbeatable by any other holding. It is impossible for two players to have royal flushes unless all five cards of the flush are displayed on the board.
Example of Hand Rankings in a sentence -> Omaha hi/lo represents a split pot game that incorporates both high and low hand rankings systems.
See Also
High Hand , Two Pair , Three of a Kind , Straight , Flush , Full House , Quads , Straight Flush , Royal Flush , Hold’em , Omaha , Counterfeit , Effective Stacks , Kicker