The ranking of different poker hands will no longer be a mystery to you.
Poker Hands Ranking Chart
Discover our easy-to-read summary chart to visualize the ranking of different poker hands.
7.9.2024
Article written by ElNacho, cybersecurity engineer and co-founder of Poker Sciences.
Poker Hand Summary Chart
Here is the summary chart of the different poker hands. The royal flush is the strongest hand (at the top of the chart), and high card is the weakest.
You can also access this chart in PDF format by clicking on the following link: PDF chart.
Explanation of Different Poker Hands
How are hands formed?
In poker, particularly in variants like Texas Hold'em (the most commonly played variant), each player is dealt two hole cards (private cards), which only they can see. Then, five community cards (shared by all players) are placed in the center of the table throughout the betting rounds. The goal is to form the best five-card hand using a combination of your hole cards and the community cards. You can use:
Both of your hole cards and three community cards.
One of your hole cards and four community cards.
Or even just the five community cards if that gives you the best possible hand.
Example of a hand formation
Let's take an example to make this clearer. Imagine you have the following hole cards: A♦️, 4♥️
The community cards on the table are: K♥, Q♦️, 10♠️, J♦️, 8♣️
In this case, you form a suite (straight) by using the Ace from your hand and four of the community cards (K-Q-J-10). Your hand is a straight Ace-King-Queen-Jack-10. Your 4 of hearts is irrelevant, as the Ace is enough to complete the combination.
Detailed Explanation of the Different Poker Hands
Here is a detailed explanation of the different poker hands, ranked from the weakest to the strongest.
1. High Card
When you haven't formed any of the combinations below, the highest card determines the strength of your hand.
If multiple players are in this situation, the highest card wins. If necessary, the next highest cards are compared to break the tie.
When your hand includes two cards of the same rank.
If two players have a pair, the higher pair wins. If the pairs are the same, the remaining high card (called the kicker) is used to break the tie.
Example: 8♠️, 8♦️, K♦️, 10♦️, 3♣️ (pair of 8s).
3. Two Pair
This hand consists of two pairs of cards with the same rank.
If two players have two pairs, the player with the highest pair wins. If the pairs are equal, the second pair is compared, and then the kicker if necessary.
Example : K♣️, K♦️, 10♣️, 10♥️, 2♦️ (two pairs, Kings and 10s).
Another example:
In this other example, you form two pair using only one of your hole cards (2♥️) and three of the community cards (2♣️, 4♦️, 4♥️)
4. Three of a Kind
This combination consists of three cards of the same rank.
If multiple players have a three of a kind, the highest-ranked set wins.
Example : Q♥️, Q♦️, Q♣️, 6♥️, 2♦️ (three of a kind, Queens).
5. Straight
A straight is made up of five consecutive cards.
A straight is composed of five consecutive cards.The Ace can be used either as a high card (above the King) or as a low card (before the 2). If multiple players have a straight, the highest one wins.
Example : 9♣️, 8♦️, 7♣️, 6♠️, 5♣️ (straight from 9 to 5).
6. Flush
A flush consists of five cards of the same suit (spades, hearts, diamonds, or clubs), but not in sequence.
If multiple players have a flush, the player with the highest card in their flush wins.
Example : A♠️, K♠️, 10♠️, 5♠️, 3♠️ (Ace-high spade flush).
Another example:
In this other example, you form a flush using both of your hole cards (J♠️, 10♠️) and three community cards (A♠️, 2♠️, Q♠️)
Note, this is not a flush: 7♠️, 8♣️, J♠️, A♣️, 2♠️ ! Even though clubs and spades are both "black" suits, in poker, they are considered different suits. The same applies to diamonds and hearts.
7. Full House
A full house is a combination made up of three of a kind and a pair.
If two players have a full house, the player with the higher three of a kind wins. If both have the same three of a kind, the higher pair determines the winner.
Example : J♠️, J♦️, J♣️, 5♣️, 5♦️ (full house, Jacks over 5s).
8. Four of a Kind
A four of a kind consists of four cards of the same rank.
If two players have a four of a kind, the player with the higher-ranked set wins.
Example : 9♠️, 9♥️, 9♦️, 9♣️, 2♠️ (four of a kind, 9s).
Another example:
In this other example, the four of a kind (quads) is already formed by the community cards, meaning all players (including you) have the same four of a kind. Your two hole cards are therefore irrelevant because the Ace, which is also a community card, is the best card to accompany the quads.
9. Straight Flush
A straight flush is a sequence of five consecutive cards that are all of the same suit.
This is an extremely rare hand. If multiple players have a straight flush, the highest one wins.
Example : 10♣️, 9♣️, 8♣️, 7♣️, 6♣️ (straight flush in clubs).
10. Royal Flush
The best possible hand in poker. It consists of the Ace, King, Queen, Jack, and 10 of the same suit (note that this is a special case of a straight flush, the best possible straight flush). This hand is unbeatable.
Example : A♥️, K♥️, Q♥️, J♥️, 10♥️ (royal flush in hearts).
The probabilities associated with each hand
Each poker hand has a specific probability of appearing, with the rarest being the royal flush and the most common being a pair.
Here are the probabilities of obtaining each poker hand if you go all the way to the river (i.e., with seven cards in play: your two hole cards and the five community cards):
Surprisingly, the probability of "having nothing" (high card) is lower than the probability of having a pair. Thus, in poker, especially in Texas Hold'em, it is common to form at least one combination.
However, it is important to note that these probabilities reflect the chances of obtaining each hand if the game goes all the way to the river, meaning when all 5 community cards (flop, turn, and river) are revealed. In practice, this scenario doesn't always occur, as players often fold before all the cards are shown.
Frequently Asked Questions About Poker Hands
To conclude, here is a summary of the main questions that beginner poker players often ask about the different hands in poker.
What is the best hand in poker?
As explained earlier, the best hand in poker is the royal straight flush. It consists of five consecutive cards of the same suit, from 10 to Ace. For example: 10♠️, J♠️, Q♠️, K♠️ and A♠️.
What is the probability of getting a royal flush?
The probability of receiving a royal flush is extremely low. In Texas Hold'em, it is about 0,0032% (if going to the river), which is roughly 1 in 31 250. In practice, most poker players will only see a few of these in their lifetime, and some may never see one at all.
What happens if I have the same hand as my opponent?
If you and your opponent have the same hand, it's called a split pot. This means the pot is divided equally between the two of you.
This situation is rare, though, as your combinations must be exactly identical. In most cases, a difference in the kicker (the highest side card) is enough to determine a winner.
For example:
If you have the following three of a kind: 4♣️, 4♥️, 4♦️, K♥️, Q♣️ and your opponent has: 4♣️, 4♥️, 4♠️, 2♣️, Q♣️ you win because your kicker (K♥️) is higher than your opponent's (Q♣️).
In practice, it is rare for two players to split the pot. Usually, the winner can be determined by the kicker (the highest side card).
Is there a hierarchy between suits?
No, there is no hierarchy between suits (clubs, diamonds, hearts, spades) in poker.
Does a flush beat a straight?
Yes, a flush beats a straight. A flush is slightly rarer and therefore ranks higher than a straight in the poker hand hierarchy.
The rest of the article is reserved for members of Poker Sciences. Good news, registration is 100% free.
Poker Hand Summary Chart
Here is the summary chart of the different poker hands. The royal flush is the strongest hand (at the top of the chart), and high card is the weakest.
You can also access this chart in PDF format by clicking on the following link: PDF chart.
Explanation of Different Poker Hands
How are hands formed?
In poker, particularly in variants like Texas Hold'em (the most commonly played variant), each player is dealt two hole cards (private cards), which only they can see. Then, five community cards (shared by all players) are placed in the center of the table throughout the betting rounds. The goal is to form the best five-card hand using a combination of your hole cards and the community cards. You can use:
Example of a hand formation
Let's take an example to make this clearer. Imagine you have the following hole cards: A♦️, 4♥️
The community cards on the table are: K♥, Q♦️, 10♠️, J♦️, 8♣️
In this case, you form a suite (straight) by using the Ace from your hand and four of the community cards (K-Q-J-10). Your hand is a straight Ace-King-Queen-Jack-10. Your 4 of hearts is irrelevant, as the Ace is enough to complete the combination.
Detailed Explanation of the Different Poker Hands
Here is a detailed explanation of the different poker hands, ranked from the weakest to the strongest.
1. High Card
When you haven't formed any of the combinations below, the highest card determines the strength of your hand.
If multiple players are in this situation, the highest card wins. If necessary, the next highest cards are compared to break the tie.
2. One Pair
When your hand includes two cards of the same rank.
If two players have a pair, the higher pair wins. If the pairs are the same, the remaining high card (called the kicker) is used to break the tie.
3. Two Pair
This hand consists of two pairs of cards with the same rank.
If two players have two pairs, the player with the highest pair wins. If the pairs are equal, the second pair is compared, and then the kicker if necessary.
Another example:
4. Three of a Kind
This combination consists of three cards of the same rank.
If multiple players have a three of a kind, the highest-ranked set wins.
5. Straight
A straight is made up of five consecutive cards.
A straight is composed of five consecutive cards.The Ace can be used either as a high card (above the King) or as a low card (before the 2). If multiple players have a straight, the highest one wins.
6. Flush
A flush consists of five cards of the same suit (spades, hearts, diamonds, or clubs), but not in sequence.
If multiple players have a flush, the player with the highest card in their flush wins.
Another example:
Note, this is not a flush: 7♠️, 8♣️, J♠️, A♣️, 2♠️ ! Even though clubs and spades are both "black" suits, in poker, they are considered different suits. The same applies to diamonds and hearts.
7. Full House
A full house is a combination made up of three of a kind and a pair.
If two players have a full house, the player with the higher three of a kind wins. If both have the same three of a kind, the higher pair determines the winner.
8. Four of a Kind
A four of a kind consists of four cards of the same rank.
If two players have a four of a kind, the player with the higher-ranked set wins.
Another example:
9. Straight Flush
A straight flush is a sequence of five consecutive cards that are all of the same suit.
This is an extremely rare hand. If multiple players have a straight flush, the highest one wins.
10. Royal Flush
The best possible hand in poker. It consists of the Ace, King, Queen, Jack, and 10 of the same suit (note that this is a special case of a straight flush, the best possible straight flush). This hand is unbeatable.
The probabilities associated with each hand
Each poker hand has a specific probability of appearing, with the rarest being the royal flush and the most common being a pair.
Here are the probabilities of obtaining each poker hand if you go all the way to the river (i.e., with seven cards in play: your two hole cards and the five community cards):
Surprisingly, the probability of "having nothing" (high card) is lower than the probability of having a pair. Thus, in poker, especially in Texas Hold'em, it is common to form at least one combination.
However, it is important to note that these probabilities reflect the chances of obtaining each hand if the game goes all the way to the river, meaning when all 5 community cards (flop, turn, and river) are revealed. In practice, this scenario doesn't always occur, as players often fold before all the cards are shown.
Frequently Asked Questions About Poker Hands
To conclude, here is a summary of the main questions that beginner poker players often ask about the different hands in poker.
What is the best hand in poker?
As explained earlier, the best hand in poker is the royal straight flush. It consists of five consecutive cards of the same suit, from 10 to Ace. For example: 10♠️, J♠️, Q♠️, K♠️ and A♠️.
What is the probability of getting a royal flush?
The probability of receiving a royal flush is extremely low. In Texas Hold'em, it is about 0,0032% (if going to the river), which is roughly 1 in 31 250. In practice, most poker players will only see a few of these in their lifetime, and some may never see one at all.
What happens if I have the same hand as my opponent?
If you and your opponent have the same hand, it's called a split pot. This means the pot is divided equally between the two of you.
This situation is rare, though, as your combinations must be exactly identical. In most cases, a difference in the kicker (the highest side card) is enough to determine a winner.
For example:
If you have the following three of a kind: 4♣️, 4♥️, 4♦️, K♥️, Q♣️ and your opponent has: 4♣️, 4♥️, 4♠️, 2♣️, Q♣️ you win because your kicker (K♥️) is higher than your opponent's (Q♣️).
Is there a hierarchy between suits?
No, there is no hierarchy between suits (clubs, diamonds, hearts, spades) in poker.
Does a flush beat a straight?
Yes, a flush beats a straight. A flush is slightly rarer and therefore ranks higher than a straight in the poker hand hierarchy.
Good news, registration is 100% free.
We have sent you an activation email.
(remember to check spam)