In Texas Hold’em, you are always trying to make the best five-card hand possible using any combination of your two hole cards and the five community cards. If a hand goes to showdown, the player with the highest-ranking hand wins the pot.
Understanding these rankings is the first step toward playing winning poker. This guide lists every hand from the absolute best (Royal Flush) down to the most basic (High Card). If you want to see these hands in action without any risk, you can practice on EasyPokerPlay, where the software automatically identifies your hand strength as the cards are dealt.
The Poker Hand Rankings
There are ten categories of hands. Within each category, the rank of the cards determines who wins. For example, a pair of Aces beats a pair of Kings.
2. Straight Flush
Five cards in numerical order, all of the same suit. If two players have a straight flush, the one with the highest card at the top wins.
3. Four of a Kind (Quads)
Four cards of the same rank. If two players have four of a kind, the higher rank wins (e.g., four Jacks beat four Tens).
4. Full House (Boat)
Three cards of one rank combined with two cards of another rank. When comparing full houses, the "three of a kind" rank is compared first.
5. Flush
Any five cards of the same suit, not in sequence. If two players have a flush, the player with the highest card wins.
6. Straight
Five cards in numerical sequence, but of different suits. An Ace can be used as the highest card (A-K-Q-J-T) or the lowest card (5-4-3-2-A).
7. Three of a Kind
Three cards of the same rank. If two players have the same three of a kind, the "kickers" (the other two cards) determine the winner.
8. Two Pair
Two cards of one rank and two cards of another rank. If both players have two pair, the higher top pair wins.
9. One Pair
Two cards of the same rank. This is a very common hand.
10. High Card
When you have none of the above, your hand is valued by its highest card.
Tie-Breakers: The "Kicker"
In poker, a hand is always made of exactly five cards. If two players have the same ranking hand (like the same pair), the "kicker" is the highest card in the rest of the hand that breaks the tie.
Player B: A-A-Q-T-9
Both have a pair of Aces, but Player A wins because their King kicker is higher than Player B's Queen.
Hand Ranking Cheat Sheet
| Rank | Hand Name | Description |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Royal Flush | A-K-Q-J-T of same suit |
| 2 | Straight Flush | 5 consecutive cards of same suit |
| 3 | Four of a Kind | 4 cards of same rank |
| 4 | Full House | 3 of a kind + 1 pair |
| 5 | Flush | 5 cards of same suit |
| 6 | Straight | 5 consecutive cards |
| 7 | Three of a Kind | 3 cards of same rank |
| 8 | Two Pair | 2 separate pairs |
| 9 | One Pair | 2 cards of same rank |
| 10 | High Card | Your highest card |
Final Coaching Tip
Beginners often overvalue "Two Pair" and "One Pair." While these are winning hands in many small pots, they can be dangerous in large pots where straights and flushes are possible.
To get a feel for how these hands stack up against real opponents, we recommend playing a few sessions against the bots on our platform, EasyPokerPlay. It’s the fastest way to learn when your "Top Pair" is likely good and when it’s time to fold to a potential Flush.