Poker Hand Rankings Chart: All Poker Hands Ranked and Explained

Poker Hand Rankings Chart

The value of any hand is directly tied to its mathematical probability. The harder a hand is to make, the higher its rank of poker hands. Below is the complete poker ranking table, showing all poker hands by rank from strongest (1) to weakest (10). You can use this poker hands chart as a printable reference whenever you need to quickly verify poker ranking hands at the table.

All Poker Hands Explained

To truly understand poker hand values, you need to know exactly how each combination is constructed, what it can defeat, and how ties are resolved when multiple players hold the same type of hand. Here is a detailed, mathematical breakdown of the best poker hands, starting from the top.

1. Royal Flush

A royal flush is the rarest, most famous, and most coveted hand in the game. It consists specifically of an Ace, King, Queen, Jack, and Ten, all sharing the exact same suit. It is the absolute highest possible hand and cannot be beaten by any other combination under standard high-hand rules. Because all suits are considered mathematically equal in poker, a Royal Flush of Spades is exactly equal to a Royal Flush of Hearts. If two players miraculously make a Royal Flush in different suits (which is only possible in games without community cards), the pot is split evenly.

2. Straight Flush

A straight flush consists of five cards in consecutive numerical order that all share the same suit. For example, a 9-8-7-6-5 of hearts is a straight flush. It beats every other hand in the game except a higher straight flush or a royal flush. When two players both hold a straight flush, the player with the highest card at the top of their sequence wins. For instance, a Jack-high straight flush (J-10-9-8-7) defeats a Nine-high straight flush (9-8-7-6-5).

3. Four of a Kind (Quads)

A four of a kind poker hand, commonly called “quads” by players, occurs when you hold all four cards of the exact same rank, such as four eights. If two players both have four of a kind, the player with the higher-ranked quads wins. Four Jacks will always beat four Eights. In community card games where the four of a kind is dealt entirely on the board, the winner is determined by whoever holds the highest fifth card, known as the kicker.

4. Full House (Boat)

A full house hand, often referred to as a “boat” in poker slang, consists of three cards of one rank and two cards of another rank. For example, three Kings and two Fours make a full house. When comparing two full houses, the player with the higher three-of-a-kind component wins the pot. A full house of Kings full of Fours (K-K-K-4-4) beats a full house of Queens full of Aces (Q-Q-Q-A-A), regardless of how high the pair component is.

5. Flush

A flush is made up of any five cards of the same suit, regardless of their numerical order. If multiple players hold a flush, the winner is the player holding the highest single card within their flush. If the highest cards are identical, you compare the second-highest cards, and so on. An Ace-high flush (A-J-8-5-2 of Diamonds) beats a King-high flush (K-Q-10-9-7 of Spades).

6. Straight

A straight contains five cards of sequential rank, but they consist of mixed suits. An example is 7-6-5-4-3 of different suits. The Ace is a unique card because it can be used as the highest card (A-K-Q-J-10, known as a “Broadway” straight) or the lowest card (5-4-3-2-A, known as a “Wheel”). However, an Ace cannot wrap around the sequence. A hand like Q-K-A-2-3 is not a valid straight.

This flexibility is especially important when learning how to play Omaha, where hand combinations are built differently using four hole cards.

7. Three of a Kind (Trips or Set)

This hand contains three cards of the exact same rank alongside two unmatched side cards. Three Jacks is a strong hand that defeats two pair, one pair, and high card hands. If two players hold three of a kind, the player with the higher set of three wins. If they hold the exact same three of a kind (which happens when the trips are on the community board), the winner is determined by the highest kicker.

Understanding how these comparisons work is also key when learning how to play 7-Card Stud, where exposed cards influence decision-making throughout the hand.

8. Two Pair

As the name suggests, this hand consists of two distinct pairs, plus one unmatched fifth card. If two players hold two pair, the player with the highest top pair wins. If the top pairs match exactly, the second pair determines the winner. If both pairs are identical, the fifth unmatched card (the kicker) decides who takes the pot. For example, Aces and Eights with a King kicker beats Aces and Eights with a Queen kicker.

9. One Pair

One pair consists of two cards of the same rank and three unmatched side cards. It is the most common winning hand in many formats. A pair of Aces is the highest possible pair, while a pair of Twos is the lowest. If players hold the same pair, the highest kicker wins.

10. High Card

A high card poker hand means you have completely failed to make any pair, straight, or flush. Your hand is simply judged by the highest single card you hold. An Ace-high hand beats a King-high hand. If the highest cards match, you move down to the second card, then the third, until a winner is found.

Top 10 Poker Hands

Explore the 10 best poker hands, ordered from highest to lowest. This quick video breaks down each combination and shows real examples so you recognize winning hands instantly.

What Beats What in Poker?

Even after memorizing the poker hands ranked list, players often encounter confusing situations at the table. In the heat of the moment, it is easy to misjudge hand strength. Here are the detailed answers to the most common tiebreaker and hand comparison questions we receive from players.

Understanding Kickers and Tiebreakers

In poker, the winner is always decided by the best five-card hand. If two players have the same hand rank, the next step is to compare the relevant cards within those five cards.

A kicker is an unpaired side card that helps break a tie when two players have the same hand rank, such as the same pair or the same three of a kind. If every card in both players’ best five-card hands is identical, the pot is split.

• Important rule: Kickers only matter when they are part of the best five-card hand. If the board already gives both players the same best five-card combination, neither player wins on kicker and the pot is split.

How Do Kickers Work in Poker?

If two players both hold one pair, poker first compares the pair itself. If the pair is the same, it compares the highest kicker, then the next kicker, and then the next one if needed.

Example:

Both players have a pair of aces. Because the pair is identical, the highest side card decides the winner. Player A wins because the king beats the queen.

Common Tiebreaker Situations

When Kickers Do Not Matter

Not every tied hand uses a kicker. Some hands are decided by their full five-card value without any separate kicker rule.

Do Hand Rankings Change Between Games?

The standard high-hand rankings detailed on this page apply universally to the vast majority of poker variants played in casinos and online today. Whether you are learning how to play Texas Hold’em, figuring out the complex four-card mechanics of Omaha, or mastering the classic streets of 7-Card Stud, the hierarchy of hands remains exactly the same. A flush will always beat a straight, and a full house will always beat a flush. Even specific Texas Hold’em hands use this identical mathematical chart.

The only exceptions occur when playing specialized “Lowball” games (like Razz or 2-7 Triple Draw) or split-pot games (like Omaha Hi-Lo). In these specific formats, players actively try to make the lowest possible hand according to a different set of rules. However, for standard high poker, the poker hand rankings chart provided here is the only reference you will ever need.

If you feel confident that you have memorized these poker hands, you are ready to hit the tables and test your skills. Browse our curated list of legal US online poker sites to find a secure, regulated platform where you can put your new knowledge into practice.

Video Guide to Poker Hand Rankings

Learn poker hand rankings quickly with this short video. See how each hand works, what beats what, and how to spot winning combinations at the table.