There are many different variants of poker that use different hand rankings. Texas Hold’em, Omaha, Seven Card Stud, and Five Card Draw all use the traditional hand ranking or “high”. Omaha Hi/Lo, Razz and Stud Hi/Lo use the “Ace to Five” or “California” hand ranking for low hands. 2-7 Single Draw and 2-7 Triple Draw use the “Deuce to Seven” or “Kansas City” lowball ranking of low hands. Finally, Badugi poker uses a special hand ranking of its own.
To learn more about hand rankings and all things poker, check out analyzepoker.nz.
As stated above, the most commonly used hand ranking in poker games is the traditional or high ranking. Let’s look at traditional hand rankings, from best to worst.
Straight Flush
A straight flush consists of five cards in numerical order of the same suit. In the case of two or more straight flushes played, the highest card at the top of the sequence wins.
The best straight flush is also called a royal flush and consists of an Ace, King, Queen, Jack and Ten of the same suit. A royal flush cannot be beaten.
Four of a Kind
Four of a Kind consists of four cards of the same rank and a side card or “kicker”. In the case of two or more on the table, the highest four of a kind win. In community card variants, where the players have the same four of a kind, the fifth card or kicker determines the winner.
Full House
A full house is three cards of the same rank and two cards of another matching rank. In the case of two or more full houses on the table, the highest three matching cards win the pot. In community card variants, where the players have the same three matching cards, the highest value of the two matching cards determines the winner.
Flush
A flush is five cards of the same suit. In the case of two or more flushes being played, the player with the highest card in the suit wins. If necessary, the second, third, fourth, or even fifth highest cards are used to determine the winner. If all five cards are of equal rank, the pot is split. The suit is never used to determine the winner in poker.
Straight
A straight consists of five cards in a row. In the case of two or more straights being played on the table, the highest card at the top of the sequence wins.
Note: The Ace can be used either at the top or bottom of the sequence, and it is the only card that can be used that way. A, K, Q, J, T is the highest straight (Ace high); 5, 4, 3, 2, A is the lowest straight (Five high).
Three of a Kind
A Three of a Kind consists of three cards of the same rank and two side cards. In the case of two or more on the table, the highest three of a kind wins. In community card variants where the players have the same three of a kind, the highest side card, and if necessary, the second highest side card, determines the winner.
Two Pairs
Two pairs consist of two cards of the same rank and two other cards of a different, matching rank, with a side card. In the case of two or more being played, the highest pair wins. If the players have the same high pair, then the other pair determines the victory. If both players have two identical pairs, the highest side card determines the winner.
One Pair
One pair consists of two cards of matching rank and three side cards. In the case of two or more pairs being played, the highest pair wins. If the players have the same pair, the highest side card, and if necessary, the second or third highest side card, determines the winner.
High Card
The high card wins if all players’ hands do not match one of the other categories. In the case of two or more being played on the table, the highest card wins, and if necessary, second, third, fourth or even fifth highest cards are used to determine the winner.
