Poker is one of the most popular card games in the world, and knowing the best hands is key to mastering it. Whether you’re playing Texas Hold’em, Omaha, or Five Card Draw, understanding how hands rank can make or break your strategy at the table.
1. Royal Flush – The Ultimate Hand
Cards: A♠ K♠ Q♠ J♠ 10♠
Description: The Royal Flush is the unbeatable hand in poker. It consists of the Ace, King, Queen, Jack, and Ten all in the same suit.
Example: A♥ K♥ Q♥ J♥ 10♥
Rarity: About 1 in 649,740 hands!
Tip: If you hit a Royal Flush, you’re guaranteed to win (unless it’s a split pot in community games).
Strategy Tip for Royal Flush:
A Royal Flush is a dream hand, and it’s rare, so don’t expect to get it often. In most cases, your focus should be on building strong hands like Straight Flush or Full House, while hoping for a Royal Flush as a bonus.
2. Straight Flush
Cards: Any five consecutive cards of the same suit.
Example: 9♣ 8♣ 7♣ 6♣ 5♣
Beats: Four of a Kind
Loses To: Royal Flush
A Straight Flush shows skill and luck—it’s a powerful hand that can dominate the table.
Strategy Tip for Straight Flush:
When you have a straight flush, especially a high one, play aggressively. Protect your hand by betting hard. If you have a low one, you might want to proceed more cautiously and watch for other players’ actions.
3. Four of a Kind (Quads)
Cards: Four cards of the same rank + one side card (kicker).
Example: 8♦ 8♠ 8♣ 8♥ K♠
Strategy Tip: Always consider your kicker—it decides ties!
Strategy Tip for Four of a Kind:
With Four of a Kind, you have a dominant hand. However, your kicker can make a difference in case you’re in a tie situation. Play this hand confidently, but keep an eye on the board for any possible Straight Flushes.
4. Full House
Cards: Three cards of one rank + a pair of another rank.
Example: K♦ K♠ K♣ 10♠ 10♥
Beats: Flush, straight
Loses To: Four of a Kind, Straight Flush
Full House often dominates mid-to-high strength hands. Play it strong but smart!
Strategy Tip for Full House:
A Full House is a great hand, but don’t get overconfident. If the board shows high cards or potential Straight or Flush hands, proceed carefully. Bet big to protect it, but watch for signs of trouble.
5. Flush
Cards: Any five cards of the same suit (not consecutive).
Example: A♣ J♣ 8♣ 5♣ 2♣
Beats: Straight, three of a Kind
Loses To: Full House
Strategy Tip for Flush:
A Flush is quite strong, but be aware of other possible hands. If the board has potential Straight combinations, be cautious. Play aggressively with higher cards in the flush but consider folding if a Full House is a threat.
6. Straight
Cards: Five consecutive cards, not necessarily same suit.
Example: 9♦ 8♣ 7♠ 6♣ 5♥
Beats: Three of a Kind
Loses To: Flush
Straights show consistency and are fairly common in aggressive play.
Strategy Tip for Straight:
Straights can win big pots, but high straights are more valuable. If you have a low straight, avoid heavy betting unless you’re sure others have weaker hands. With a high straight, you can increase your bets to take advantage of the situation.
7. Three of a Kind (Trips or Set)
Cards: Three cards of the same rank.
Example: 7♣ 7♦ 7♠ K♣ Q♥
Strategy Tip: Hidden sets (when you have a pocket pair) can trap opponents beautifully.
Strategy Tip for Three of a Kind:
Three of a Kind is a solid hand, especially if you hit it on the flop. You have the potential to build into a Full House or Four of a Kind. If you’re slow-playing a set (especially pocket pairs), be cautious not to scare off opponents by betting too high too soon.
8. Two Pair
Cards: Two cards of one rank + two cards of another rank.
Example: 10♠ 10♣ 4♦ 4♣ Q♥
Beats: One Pair
Loses To: Three of a Kind
Strategy Tip for Two Pair:
If you have Two Pair, focus on the strength of your high pair. Consider bluffing to build a pot if you have high pairs, but be mindful of potential hands like Full House.
9. One Pair
Cards: Two cards of the same rank.
Example: A♠ A♥ 9♣ 7♠ 3♦
Common but useful—especially if it’s a high pair like Aces or Kings.
Strategy Tip for One Pair:
While One Pair is one of the most common hands, it’s often not enough to win the pot unless you’re playing in a tight game. If your pair is high (like Aces or Kings), it’s worth a strong bet. However, if the board is showing potential Straight or Flush combinations, proceed cautiously.
10. High Card
If no other combination is made, the highest single card decides the winner.
Example: A♠ 9♥ 8♦ 4♣ 2♠ → High Card: Ace
Strategy Tip for High Card:
When you’re relying on a High Card, your goal is to either bluff or hope for your opponents to fold. But if the game goes to a showdown, you’ll need to rely on having the highest single card.
Poker Hand Rankings Summary
| Rank | Hand Type | Example | Beats |
| 1 | Royal Flush | A♠ K♠ Q♠ J♠ 10♠ | All hands |
| 2 | Straight Flush | 9♥ 8♥ 7♥ 6♥ 5♥ | Four of a Kind |
| 3 | Four of a Kind | 8♣ 8♠ 8♦ 8♥ | Full House |
| 4 | Full House | K♣ K♠ K♥ 10♠ 10♦ | Flush |
| 5 | Flush | A♣ J♣ 8♣ 5♣ 2♣ | Straight |
| 6 | Straight | 9♦ 8♣ 7♠ 6♣ 5♥ | Three of a Kind |
| 7 | Three of a Kind | 7♦ 7♣ 7♠ | Two Pair |
| 8 | Two Pair | 10♠ 10♥ 4♣ 4♦ | One Pair |
| 9 | One Pair | A♠ A♥ | High Card |
| 10 | High Card | A♠ | None |
Final Thoughts
Learning the best poker hands is the foundation of becoming a better player.
Practice identifying hands quickly, watch how they develop on the flop, turn, and river, and always play strategically based on your position and opponent behavior.
Remember: Poker isn’t just about luck—it’s about reading, strategy, and timing.
