Understanding poker hands is a good start when you want to learn the game. This will help you know what hand has been dealt and what hand wins.
In this guide, we go through the different poker hands and rankings. We also answer some of the commonly asked questions about poker hand rankings.
Try Your Hand at Poker
Poker Hands Explained
In general, a poker hand consists of five of seven cards falling into several categories. There is the high card, one pair, two pair, three of a kind, a straight, a flush, full house, four of a kind, then a straight flush followed by a royal flush – which is the highest of them all.
Quick Poker Hands Chart
Obviously, the highest-ranking hands do not result more frequently – however, when they do, they pay out really well. For instance, a straight flush or royal flush would pay R500 with a R1 bet at some casinos. While some online poker games would payout R250 with a R1 bet, depending on the odds at the time. It gets even better in jackpot poker games.
What are the Hands of Poker? – Poker Hand Rankings (Low to High)
High Card – Five cards that don’t match.
One Pair – Two cards of the same value and three side cards.
Two Pair – Two cards of the same value and another pair of the same value and one extra card.
Three of a Kind – Three cards of the same value and two extra cards.
Straight – Five cards of consecutive values.
Flush – Five cards of the same suit.
Full House – Three cards of the same value and two cards of another.
Four a Kind – Four cards of the equal value and one side card.
Straight Flush – A straight with cards of the same suit.
Royal Flush – A, K, Q, J and 10 of the same suit.
FAQs about Poker Hands
Is three pair a poker hand?
No. Three cards of the same value in poker are called Three of a Kind. The hand is the highest after One Pair and Two Pairs.
What are the best poker hands?
- Royal Flush
- Straight Flush
- Four of a Kind
These pay more money.
What is the rarest hand in poker?
Royal Flush (A, K, Q, J and 10 of the same suit) is the rarest and most winning hand in poker.
What suit is highest in poker?
Spade is the highest suit in poker. Although rare, when it is needed that a hand is ranked by suit, it is done so alphabetically – clubs, diamonds, hearts, spades.
Why is 2 7 the worst poker hand?
2 and 7 is the worst hand in Texas Hold’em as it cannot make a straight.
Is A2345 a straight?
Yes, a high straight that is.
What poker hand should I start with?
- AA – Pocket Aces
- KK – Pocket Kings
- QQ – Pocket Queens
- AK – Ace-King suited
- JJ – Pocket Jacks
- 10 10 – Pocket Tens
- AQ – Ace-Queen suited
- AK – Ace-King suited
- AJ – Ace-Jack suited
- KQ – King Queen suited
What can beat a straight in poker?
- Royal Flush
- Straight Flush
- Four of a Kind
- Full House
- Flush
Can a royal flush be beaten?
A royal flush is the strongest possible hand in poker and cannot be beaten.
More Poker Guides: