Explanation of Poker Hands

Please note that the ace can be used as both the highest card in a straight or as the lowest card in a straight. This will be discussed further when talking about hand rankings.

In the following descriptions of hands, you'll see me using some short cuts. If you see "K" it means "king of clubs" and "4" would be the "four of diamonds". This is something you will see frequently used in poker articles, and therefore it's good to understand and get used to. You'll also find that your poker hands are directly linked to calculating Poker Odds which is a huge part of winning poker strategy.

ROYAL FLUSH

The very best hand in poker is called a "Royal Flush". The hand consists of the following: A K Q J 10. All five cards of the same suit in consecutive order from the ace to the ten. Suit doesn't matter... a royal flush in spades is no better than a royal flush of clubs.

STRAIGHT FLUSH

A "straight flush" consists of five consecutive cards, all of the same suit. An example of this would be:
5 4 3 2 A. In this case, the "ace" is be the smallest card in the straight... just the opposite as the royal flush where it is the highest card of the straight. Another example of a straight flush would be: J 10 9 8 7.

FOUR OF A KIND

This hand is exactly what it says, four cards all off the same rank: K K K K 7. If you happen to be playing a game where you can share the same four of a kind as your opponent, the fifth card will decide which hand is the winner. For example, 6 6 6 6 K will beat 6 6 6 6 3 ... as the fifth card or "kicker" will play, and the king beats the three.

FULL HOUSE

A "full house" is 3 cards of the same rank along with 2 different cards of the same rank: k k k 7 7. The three same cards make up the big end of the hand and determine which full house is bigger. 8 8 8 4 4 will beat
6 6 6 k k, even though the second hand has a larger pair in it with the kings. Remember, the bigger three cards are what determines the winner of the hand.

FLUSH

A "flush" is just five cards all of the same suit, regardless of rank: A J 7 4 2 is an ace high flush, just as
9 8 5 3 2 would be an nine high flush. The ace is always used as the highest card in a flush.

STRAIGHT

When you hold five cards of different suits, but in consecutive order, you have a "straight": 10 9 8 7 6. This is a ten high straight. With straights, the ace can be used both as the high card or low card: A k q j 10. Here you have an ace high straight, also known as "broadway". An example of the ace being used as the low card is:
5 4 3 2 A. This is a five high straight, and the lowest of all possible straights.

THREE OF A KIND

Just as four of a kind was four cards of the same rank, "three of a kind" is 3 cards of the same rank:
Q Q Q 7 4 is three queens, and would beat J J J A K even though the second hand contains two larger cards (the ace and king). Remember, it's the three of a kind which determines the hand rank.

TWO PAIR

Two pair is when you have two cards of the same rank along with two different cards of the same rank, for example: J J 9 9 4. Your two pair are of course jacks and nines. If your opponent held: J J 7 7 K ...then his two pair would be jacks and sevens, and you would win the hand as your two pair are larger. When you share the same two pair, your fifth card in the hand... also know as the "kicker"... will determine the winner. For example:
K K 9 9 A would beat K K 9 9 7 because your fifth card (the ace) is larger than your opponents fifth card (the 7)... and the king beats the seven.

ONE PAIR

Any two cards of the same rank: K K 5 3 2. This is a pair of kings and would beat 9 9 A K 10. Once again, a kicker can come into play and determine the winner if you and your opponent share the same pair. If you both have kings, the person with the next highest card would win the hand.

HIGH CARD

A single high card is the lowest hand in poker, with the ace high being the best of the worst hand: A Q 9 6 2 would beat A J 9 6 2 as your second card would come in to play and the queen beats the jack.

To learn more about poker hands check out our Poker Hand Terms Page.

As well as our Poker Card Terms Page.