One of the first things you need to learn in poker is the hand rankings. There are only ten possible hand categories, and they never change. Unlike your friends’ moods at the table, these are stable.
Once you’ve memorized this list, you’ll know instantly if you’re holding something strong, something sketchy, or something that belongs in the muck.
The Poker Hand Rankings (Highest to Lowest)
- Royal Flush
A♦ K♦ Q♦ J♦ 10♦
The absolute best hand in poker. Five cards in a row, all the same suit, starting at 10 and ending at Ace. - Straight Flush
9♠ 8♠ 7♠ 6♠ 5♠
Five cards in a row, all the same suit. Same as a Royal Flush, just not as high. - Four of a Kind (Quads)
7♣ 7♦ 7♠ 7♥ K♠
Four cards of the same rank. The fifth card (the “kicker”) matters if there’s a tie. - Full House
Q♣ Q♦ Q♠ 6♣ 6♠
Three of one rank and two of another. - Flush
A♣ 9♣ 6♣ 3♣ 2♣
Five cards of the same suit, not in order. - Straight
10♣ 9♦ 8♠ 7♥ 6♣
Five cards in a row, any suits. - Three of a Kind
8♠ 8♦ 8♥ K♣ 2♦
Three cards of the same rank, plus two unrelated cards. - Two Pair
J♦ J♠ 4♣ 4♦ Q♥
Two pairs of different ranks, plus one extra kicker. - One Pair
K♠ K♥ 10♦ 6♠ 2♣
One pair. Classic. Shows up often. - High Card
A♣ 10♦ 9♠ 6♣ 3♦
No matching ranks. Just vibes. Sometimes it wins.
Quick Tips for Beginners
- Flush beats a straight. Always. Memorize that.
- If the best hand is on the board and no one can beat it with their hole cards, the pot is split.
- Kickers matter. That random card might win or lose you the pot.
Print this list, tattoo it, chant it before sleep—whatever works. The faster you can recognize these hands, the faster you’ll stop calling all-in bets with a pair of 4s like it’s a power move.
Next Up: The Table Setup