Poker Hand Ranking

The easiest way to understand who wins is to lay out your complete five-card hand and compare it with your opponent’s hand. If anyone has a higher card, that person wins (obviously you both share the cards on the board).In poker, suits don’t count. This misconception is from other games where suits do matter.A four-flush is when you use four cards of the same suit on the board and one from your hand to complete a flush. Royal flush consists of five cards of the same suit, in sequence from 10 through to Ace. Remember that all suits are equal in poker. This example shows a Jack high straight flush. If two or more players hold a straight flush then it is the highest that wins. For example, a Queen high straight flush beats a Jack high straight flush. In our example you can see three 10’s and a pair of 7’s. The value of the three matching cards determines the strength of a full house. So three Jack’s with a pair of 7’s would beat our example hand. If players share the same three cards, which is possible when using community cards, the strength of the pair is then taken into account. For example, a pair of Aces, and a pair of 6’s would beat our example hand, as would a pair of Kings and a pair of 7’s. If two or more players share the same two pair, then the value of the fifth card counts. So, a pair of Kings, a pair of 6’s, with a 4, would beat our example hand.A paired hand contains two cards of matching rank, plus three additional cards. For example a pair of 10’s beats our example hand. If players share the same pair then the best hand is determined by the value of the highest additional card. If this is the same then it goes to the second card, and if necessary the third. In this example we have a hand which is Queen high. If players share the same highest card, then it goes to the value of the 2nd, 3rd, 4th, and even 5th card if necessary. It’s vital that you know which hand beats which. Of course, how good a poker hand is, is very dependent on which type of poker game you are playing and other factors such as the number of other players you are playing against. Flush, the rank is decided by the second highest card. In the unlikely event of the first two cards in two Flushes being the same, the rank is decided by the third card, then the fourth, then the fifth. We can distinguish between community cards - which are 'shared' cards facing up in the middle of the table and are available for all players to use, as well as pocket cards - which are the 2 hidden cards each player is dealt individually. But much fewer say something about colors, straights and full houses, and I found many contradicting answers. I will take three examples; I think it's better to start with examples before getting to the general answer if one exists. If multiple players have the highest set of 4 (which is not achievable with a standard poker deck, but is with a double deck or community cards), the one with the highest kicker (highest card not in the set of 4) is the winner. If multiple players share the highest 3-set (which isn't possible without community cards like in hold 'em, or a double deck) then the player with the highest 2-set is the winner. This hand is similar to 'high card' resolution, where each card is effectively a kicker. Note that a flush requires the same suit, not just color. While the colors used on the suit are red and black, two each, there's nothing to that connection. A club is no more similar to a spade than it is to a heart - only suit matters. The colors are red and black for historical purposes and so the same deck can be played for other games where that might matter.

• Low end straight poker

If two straights are present in the same hand, the pot will be awarded to the player with the higher ranked straight. All poker games using traditional high hands recognize the wheel as a straight, except "Deuce to Seven" (aka "Kansas City") lowball.

• Poker can straight start with ace

So three Jack’s with a pair of 7’s would beat our example hand. If players share the same three cards, which is possible when using community cards, the strength of the pair is then taken into account.

• Poker hands lowest to highest

The best time to try and read other players, is when you aren't emotionally invested in a hand, you can make more prudent observations this way. Watch your opponents bet, how much they bet and in what position are they betting.

• Poker hands highest to lowest

In casino and on-line play that use a dedicated dealer, a dealer button (or just the "button") is a white disk that is rotated clockwise among the players.

• Straight in texas holdem poker

This example shows a Jack high straight flush. If two or more players hold a straight flush then it is the highest that wins. For example, a Queen high straight flush beats a Jack high straight flush.