Poker Hands in Order: What Wins and What Doesn’t

Poker is a captivating game of skill, strategy, and a bit of luck, where the strength of your hand largely determines your success. Whether you're a novice or a seasoned player, understanding poker hand rankings is essential to mastering the game. This guide will walk you through the hierarchy of poker hands from highest to lowest, ensuring you know what beats what when the cards are dealt.

Royal Flush

The Royal Flush is the pinnacle of poker hands. It comprises the Ace, King, Queen, Jack, and Ten, all of the same suit. A Royal Flush is unbeatable, and the odds of hitting this hand are incredibly low, making it a rare and exciting event in any poker game.

Straight Flush

Second only to the Royal Flush is the Straight Flush. This hand consists of five consecutive cards all in the same suit. For instance, a hand of 5-6-7-8-9 of hearts is a Straight Flush. This hand beats any other hand except a Royal Flush.

Four of a Kind

Four of a Kind means you have four cards of the same rank, such as four Aces or four 7s. The fifth card, known as the kicker, can be any card. This hand is potent and only loses to a Straight Flush or higher.

Full House

A Full House contains three cards of one rank and two cards of another rank, such as three Kings and two 4s. It beats a Flush and all hands below it.

Flush

A Flush is five cards of the same suit, not in sequence. If two players have a Flush, the hand with the highest card wins. This hand is strong but can be beaten by a Full House or higher.

Straight

A Straight consists of five consecutive cards of different suits. If two players have a Straight, the one with the highest card wins. The Straight is a versatile hand but loses to a Flush or higher.

Three of a Kind

This hand includes three cards of the same rank, such as three 8s. The remaining two cards are irrelevant to the ranking unless they are used as a kicker against another Three of a Kind hand.

Two Pair

Two Pair consists of two different pairs, like two 10s and two 3s. The fifth card is a kicker. It beats One Pair and a High Card.

One Pair

This hand contains two cards of the same rank with three other cards that do not match. While common, One Pair is often a losing hand against stronger combinations.

High Card

When no player has any of the above hands, the winner is determined by the highest card. If both players have the same highest card, the next highest card is considered, and so on.

Understanding these hands and their rankings is crucial when playing at Premium Casino, Grand Poker Casino, or any other renowned platform. Each casino offers unique bonuses and promotions, such as the 100% up to $250 at Grand Poker Casino, which can enhance your gaming experience and increase your chances of winning.

For more poker strategies and casino reviews, check out Bovada Casino or Europa Casino. Happy gaming!