🃏 Poker hand rankings: what beats what
Poker has ten hands, from strongest to weakest: royal flush, straight flush, four of a kind, full house, flush, straight, three of a kind, two pair, pair and high card. The table below orders them all, followed by examples, how ties break, and common mistakes, so a moment of doubt never costs you the pot.
Ranking table, strongest to weakest
| # | Hand | What it is |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Royal Flush Royal Flush | A K Q J 10 of one suit. The strongest hand, and very rare. |
| 2 | Straight Flush Straight Flush | Five cards in a row, all one suit, e.g. 9 8 7 6 5 of hearts. |
| 3 | Four of a Kind Four of a Kind | Four cards of the same value, e.g. four queens. |
| 4 | Full House Full House | Three of a kind plus a pair, e.g. three 7s and two kings. |
| 5 | Flush Flush | Five cards of one suit, not in sequence. |
| 6 | Straight Straight | Five cards in a row, mixed suits. |
| 7 | Three of a Kind Three of a Kind | Three cards of the same value. |
| 8 | Two Pair Two Pair | Two different pairs, e.g. aces and eights. |
| 9 | Pair Pair | Two cards of the same value. |
| 10 | High Card High Card | No combination, the highest card decides. |
Two comparisons that trip up beginners
Two questions come up at every table, and the answers are worth memorizing:
- A flush beats a straight. Five cards of one suit are harder to make than five in a row, so the flush ranks higher.
- A full house beats a flush. Many beginners think the opposite. Order from the top: four of a kind, full house, flush, straight.
How ties break, and what a kicker is
When two players hold the same hand, the highest card inside it decides, and if that ties too, the next card. That side card is called a kicker. Example: you both have a pair of aces, but your next card is a king and your opponent’s is a nine, the king wins. In Hold’em you build the hand from the best five of seven cards, and if all five are identical the pot is split.
Common mistakes to avoid
- Thinking one suit outranks another. There is no hierarchy between suits, only between hands.
- Forgetting the ace can also be low: A 2 3 4 5 is a valid straight.
- Assuming a straight must contain an ace. Any five cards in a row count.
Frequently asked
What is the strongest hand in poker?
The royal flush: ace, king, queen, jack and ten of the same suit. No hand beats it.
What wins, a flush or a straight?
A flush beats a straight, because gathering five cards of one suit is harder.
What is stronger, a full house or a flush?
A full house beats a flush. Order from the top: four of a kind, full house, flush, straight.
What is a kicker?
The side card that decides when two players hold the same basic hand. A pair of aces with a king kicker beats a pair of aces with a nine kicker.
Can the ace be a low card in a straight?
Yes. A 2 3 4 5 is a valid straight with the ace low, and 10 J Q K A is one with it high.
This guide teaches the rules only. Adds Up is not a gambling product and moves no real money.