The poker hand rankings you need to know

One of the most confusing aspects for first time poker players is understanding the hand ranking system – an essential skill should you ever want to understand how each hand will affect how you play.

Here is a rundown of the poker hand rankings you need to know in order of how strong they are.

High card

Each card is ranked from low to high depending on their number. A ‘2’ is the lowest card you can have and an Ace plays as the highest card. Should there be no other hands on the table such as a pair the highest ranking card will win.

A pair

A pair is simply two of the same card. You can achieve a pair from the deal or gain a pair from one of the cards on the flop, turn or river (the cards that are shared between players).

Two pair

‘Two pair’ is having two pairs of the same card. This beats a single pair.

Three-of-a-kind

Three-of-a-kind means that you have three of the same card, for example: three kings. One in your hand and 2 on the table would class as three-of-a-kind.

A straight

A straight is five cards in numerical order in a row. For example, if I have been dealt a 3 and a 4 and the flop comes 5, 6, 7; I can put these cards together and make what is a known as a “straight”.

A flush

A flush is five cards of the same suit, be that hearts, clubs, diamonds or spades. Each suit is of the same value so a flush with an Ace of diamonds would be a flush with a 10 of diamonds.

Four of a kind

Four of a kind – or quads – is when you have four of the same card and is the second best hand possible in poker. While it is possible to lose with this hand it is very unlikely.

A straight flush

A straight flush is a combination of a straight and a flush. For example: 6,7,8,9,10 all of the same suit. The highest straight flush achievable is 10, Jack, Queen, King, Ace – all of the same suit. This is known as a Royal Flush and is the best hand in all of poker meaning it is impossible to lose. At the same time this is also the rarest hand in poker and not seen often

This guide can be a handy tool if it is your first time playing poker. How you play each hand of poker will depend on how confident you feel you have the winning hand over your opponent. The more you practice, the more these hands become easy to spot.