Poker is a card game that combines skill and luck where players attempt to build better hands than their opponents to win.
While the game has many variations, poker hands generally consist of 5 cards, dealt from a standard 52-card poker deck of playing cards.
From these 52 cards, many different hand combinations can be made using various numerical card values (2 through ace) and suits (spades, hearts, diamonds, and clubs.)
This article serves as a useful tool to understand poker hands, their value and what beats what. (Very helpful when you're at the casino.) We will cover in detail what the hands are, their probabilities and tips for betting in a poker game with stakes.
But first, here's a quick summary.
Poker hand rank in descending order, from highest to lowest is:
- Royal Flush
- Straight Flush
- Four-of-a-Kind
- Full House
- Flush
- Straight
- Three-of-a-Kind
- Two Pair
- Pair
- High Card
For a visual guide, we have provided a poker hand ranking cheat sheet.
Poker Hand Rank Chart - Quick Guide
Ever since my grandfather taught me how to play poker when I was 12 years old, I've loved playing the game.
For many years, on New Year's Eve, after we got to the age where going out and partying with a bunch of amateur revelers lost its appeal, we decided to stay home and play poker until midnight or so.
Each year there were people at our house who didn't play much poker. As such, we always got the questions, "What's the highest hand in poker?" and "Does a full house beat a flush?"
If you've ever played cards with newbie poker players, you know what I'm talking about. It can be annoying to veteran card players, but remember, everyone has to learn somewhere. This blog will help you!
What is The Highest Hand in Poker?
Every year, we would have to explain what beats what to rookie card players who were there for the holiday poker game. Are you that rookie? If so, you're in for a lot of good information about poker hands!
This article will examine all the possible hands in poker in order from highest to lowest. Whether you're playing 5-card draw or Texas Hold 'em, they're essentially the same in every poker game.
Are you ready?
Let's get started!
1. Royal Flush - The Highest Hand in Poker
The royal flush is when you have five cards showing an ace, king, queen, jack and a ten with all of the same suit. All spades, all hearts, all diamonds or all clubs with A-K-Q-J-10.
If two people produce a royal flush at the same time (which you'll never see happen), then the pot is split. Alternatively, the player with the spade suit may be declared the winner.
Although suit values are not typically used in poker, sometimes a rule is established at the start of the game where suit values will determine the winner.
Suit values, if established as a rule, from highest to lowest are spades, hearts, diamonds and clubs.
The royal flush is the highest hand in poker and cannot be beat unless you are playing with wild cards. Since virtually every serious game of poker is not played with wild cards, we left out the theoretical five-of-a-kind.
Yes, the five-of-a-kind beats the royal flush, but only when wild cards are being played. Wild cards are a specialty house rule that rarely applies to real card games. There is no way to get a five-of-a-kind without wild cards since there are only four suits to every card value, so we left it out of the running.
Rest assured, the royal flush is the highest poker hand. It beats everything.
The probability of getting a royal flush is 649,739 : 1 (super extremely rare.)
Please note that the probability is based on 5-card stud poker.
Gambling tip: If you produce a royal flush during a poker game, consider maximizing your bet and going "all in." There is a 100% chance you will win at least half the pot, and an extremely high chance you will win the entire pot. Risk it all.
2. Straight Flush
The straight flush is very similar to the royal flush. In fact, the royal flush is a straight flush, only with the highest possible card values.
A straight flush is a sequence of five cards in consecutive order all of the same suit (spades, hearts, diamonds or clubs). For example, all five of your cards have the diamond suit, and you have cards with the values of 8-7-6-5-4.
A straight flush beats every hand in regulation poker except higher straight flushes or the royal flush.
If two people produce a straight flush at the same time, the straight flush with the highest card value wins. Ex. J-10-9-8-7 (hearts) will beat the 6-5-4-3-2 (hearts).
The probability of getting a straight flush is 72,192.33 : 1 (extremely rare.)
Gambling tip: If you produce a straight flush during a poker game, consider maximizing your bet and going "all in." Straight flushes are very rare and can only be beaten by a higher straight flush or royal flush.
3. Four-of-a-Kind
The four-of-a-kind in a poker game is quite simply four cards of the same value, such as four jacks, four queens or four 8s. Any card value qualifies 2 through ace.
If two or more people produce a four-of-a-kind at the same time, the player who has the highest card value wins. For example, four kings (K-K-K-K-8) beats four jacks (J-J-J-J-8).
The four-of-a-kind beats all poker hands except for higher four-of-a-kinds, the straight flush or royal flush.
The probability of getting a four-of-a-kind is 4,164 : 1 (very rare.)
Gambling tip: If you produce a four-of-a-kind during a game of poker, you're in good shape. There is very little chance someone will produce a higher hand. Consider maximizing your bet or going "all in" on this one. It's likely a winner!
4. Full House
A full house in a poker game is when you hold a three-of-a-kind and a pair. Example: A-A-A-8-8. Three aces and two 8's.
The full house can be arranged with any card value and with any suit; spades, diamonds, clubs or hearts.
Since there are many different possible ways to get a full house, it is more common to see two people produce a full house at the same hand, especially in Texas Hold 'em.
If two players produce a full house at the same time, the player with the highest card value in their three-of-a-kind wins. Example: J-J-J-8-8 beats a 7-7-7-K-K. Even though the player has two kings, the other player wins because they have three jacks.
In the case of games like Texas Hold 'em where two players can each have the same three-of-a-kind in their full house, the player with the highest pair wins. Example: K-K-K-J-J beats K-K-K-8-8.
A full house beats every hand in poker except for a higher full house, a four-of-a-kind, or the straight/royal flush.
One common mistake players make when playing poker is to declare that flushes beat a full house. Does a flush beat a full house? No, a flush does not beat a full house. A full house always beats a flush, unless it is a straight flush.
The probability of getting a full house is 693 : 1 (rare.)
Gambling tip: A full house is a great hand, but you have to be careful with your bet in games like Texas Hold 'em. Proceed with caution, read your opponents and bet according to your card value. If you're playing 5-card stud or draw, you have a great hand. Consider betting high to maximize damage against your opponent(s) in stud or draw poker. You have a good chance of winning this hand.
5. Flush
A flush in poker is when you have 5 cards of any value with the same suit. All spades, all hearts, all diamonds, or all clubs.
Examples: K-J-10-8-4 (hearts), A-10-9-7-5 (diamonds).
The etymology of the word flush comes from the Latin 'Fluxus', which means to flow. It is thought that when you have a hand with all of the same card suits your hand is "flooded."
When two or more players each produce a flush, the flush with the highest card value wins. For example, A-10-7-4-2 (diamonds) beats a Q-J-8-6-3 (diamonds) because the first player has the high card, the ace.
Contrary to popular misconception, a flush does not beat a full house. The flush is beaten by a flush with a higher card value, a full house, four-of-a-kind, and the straight/royal flush.
The probability of getting a flush is 507 : 1 (somewhat rare.)
Gambling tip: in Texas Hold 'em, be cautious unless you have the ace-high flush. If there is a flush opportunity on the table, someone else likely has it, too. If you have the ace, bet ferociously. If you don't, bet cautiously or fold if betting becomes aggressive (unless you suspect a bluff). In 5-card stud or draw poker, you have a good hand. Consider betting moderately here. Just remember that the full house does beat a flush.
6. Straight
A straight in a poker game is 5 cards of any consecutive numerical value, such as 6-5-4-3-2.
A straight may contain any variation of suits but must be in numerical order. Examples of straights are 9-8-7-6-5 (various suits) and Q-J-10-9-8 (various suits).
When two or more players have straights, the straight with the highest card value wins. If two players each have the same straight, a tie is called and the pot is split. In some circumstances, a suit order may be used to determine the winner. Suit value from highest to lowest: spades, hearts, diamonds, clubs.
In poker, a straight is beaten by a flush, full house, four-of-a-kind, or a straight/royal flush.
The probability of getting a straight is 253.8 : 1 (somewhat common.)
Gambling tip: avoid aggressive betting in Texas Hold 'em when apparent straights are on the table. If you have the straight and you believe your opponents do not, lure them in with smaller, non-threatening bets to keep the game alive. If the straight is not apparent, feel free to bet moderately here. In 5-card stud or draw poker, bet low or moderately and be cautious, considering the straight is beaten by a flush or full house. However, depending on the number of players, a straight can be a good hand. Straights invite an opportunity to hard bet and bluff if you sense timidness from other players.
7. Three-of-a-Kind
In poker, a three-of-a-kind is simply holding three cards of the same value, such as three queens. Example: Q-Q-Q-7-3
Three-of-a-kinds can be achieved with any card value 2 through ace, and with any suit; spades, hearts, diamonds, clubs.
When two or more players produce three-of-a-kinds during a poker game at the same time, the highest three-of-a-kind wins. Example: A-A-A-K-J beats Q-Q-Q-7-3.
If two or more players have a three-of-a-kind of the same high-card value (possible only in games like Texas Hold'em), then the next highest card value in the hand wins. Example: A-A-A-K-J beats A-A-A-K-4. The player's jack here wins them the hand.
A three-of-a-kind can only beat lower three-of-a-kinds, two pairs, a pair and high card hands.
The probability of getting a three-of-a-kind is 46 : 1 (common.)
Gambling tip: If you have pocket aces (2 aces in your hand) in Texas Hold'em and there's an ace on the table, feel free to bet aggressively, as a three-of-a-kind can be a dangerous hand in Hold'em. In 5-card stud or draw poker, bet cautiously and moderately, as many possible hands here can beat yours.
8. Two Pair
In poker, a two-pair hand is simply having two different sets of pairs, such as two kings and two queens. Example: K-K-Q-Q-3.
A two-pair hand can be achieved with any card value and with any suits: spades, hearts, diamonds, clubs.
If two players each produce two pairs during a poker hand, the highest pair wins. Example: K-K-10-10-3 beats J-J-9-9-5.
Two pairs are beaten by three-of-a-kinds and anything higher. Two pairs beat one pair and high card hands.
The probability of getting two pair is 20 : 1 (common.)
Gambling tip: while two pairs can certainly win you a pot in Texas Hold'em, use caution with how you bet. Keep your eyes on the table and envision what others may have before betting too aggressively here. In 5-card stud or draw poker, consider checking or folding when you have low pairs. Bluffing with two-pair hands can be tricky and often leads to a loss.
9. Pair
In poker, a pair is when you have two cards of the same value, such as two kings. Example: K-K-J-7-6
A pair can be achieved with any card value and with any suit; spades, hearts, diamonds, or clubs.
When two or more players show a pair, the highest pair wins. Example: K-K-J-6-5 beats Q-Q-10-8-5.
If two players each have the same pair, the next highest card in the hand wins the pot. Example: K-K-Q-J-5 beats K-K-10-7-3.
A pair is beaten by almost every hand in poker. A pair can beat a lower pair and high card hands only.
The probability of getting a pair 1.366477 : 1 (very common.)
Gambling tip: unless you're highly skilled at bluffing, betting of any kind is not recommended with a pair.
10. High Card
In poker, the high card is a value system that plays a critical role throughout all poker hands but has very little standalone value.
The high card determines who wins when hands are of the same value. For example, if two players each have a pair of queens, the next highest card in their hand will determine who wins.
EX. Q-Q-J-8-7 beats Q-Q-9-6-3 because the jack is the next highest card in player one's hand.
When two players fail to produce a viable hand (that is, a pair or higher), then the high card will determine who wins the pot.
For example, if four people are playing 5-card draw poker, the person with the highest card wins.
Hand 1: A-K-7-3-2
Hand 2: K-J-5-4-3
Hand 3: Q-10-9-5-2
Hand 4: J-9-7-6-4
Because Hand 1 has the ace, they win the pot, because the ace is the highest card.
The probability of getting the high card is 0.9953015 : 1 (very common.)
Card Values in Poker
The standard poker card value in descending order is ace, king, queen, jack, 10, 9, 8, 7, 6, 5, 4, 3, 2
Face cards--king, queen, jack--have more value than numerical cards 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10
In poker, the ace is not considered a face card. However, the ace is the highest card in poker.
Suit Values in Poker
While suits are generally not considered of value in regulation poker, there are times when games will utilize a suit value system to determine winners when hands are produced with equal value, such as straights.
In America and most other countries, the suit values are, from highest to lowest, spades, hearts, diamonds, and clubs.
The Bottom Line
If you're lucky enough to get a straight flush (or if you're really lucky, a royal flush) during a game of poker, make sure you bet your tail off because you have a winning hand! And always keep a good poker face.
Yes, the royal flush is the highest poker hand and will dominate your opponents if you're ever lucky enough to get one dealt to you.
I've been playing poker for decades, and I have only gotten a straight flush one time, and I have never gotten a royal flush. So yes, a royal flush is extremely rare, but they do happen.
Cherish the moment if you ever get one!
Poker is a lot of fun and a game people have been playing for many years. With our diagrams, information and useful tips, you will learn the proper value of poker hands and how to become a better poker player!
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