Poker Hand Rankings: First Among Poker Knowledge

Know Poker Hand Rankings: It’s Required

If you are new to the game of poker, just remember that poker hand rankings are not too complex. They are consistent through almost every variety of the game. This makes it much easier for the beginner to start playing with some confidence, and it lets the experienced player concentrate on the finer points of strategy, bluffing and betting.

Here is a basic list that should guide you through just about any game. If you have doubts, take a printed list along with you for quick reference to poker hand ranking. *Tip: In poker, suit doesn't matter. There is no "trump" suit. Pots are split between hands in case of a tie.

The best poker hand is the Royal Flush. A player who has five cards from 10 to Ace, of the same suit, has this premier hand.

Next in the pecking order of poker hand rankings is the Straight Flush. This poker hand contains any five cards of the same suit in consecutive order – 3, 4, 5, 6, 7 for example.

Four of a Kind occupies spot number three in the list of poker hands. If a player has any four cards of the same rank, he has this great hand.

While the above three hands occur rarely, players will see a Full House a few more times during their poker playing days. This hand is composed of any three cards of the same rank, such as three Aces, along with any two cards of the same rank, such as two 10s. Sometimes a player will say he has a "full boat" or use another slang term, such as "Aces full" or "Aces full of 10s."

In the world of poker hand rankings, a player has a Flush when he has any five cards of the same suit. These five cards don't have to be in any number order. If two players have a flush, the player with the highest card has the best poker hand. An Ace-high flush is the best hand of this type.

When a player sees five cards with consecutive numbers, of any suit, he has a Straight. For just about every poker game, an Ace can be used as the lowest card – A, 2, 3, 4 5 – or has the high card – 10, J, Q, K, A.

Some poker hands are just what the name says. Three of a Kind is any three cards of the same rank – three Jacks or three 7s, for example.

*Tip: Players declare and show their best five cards in most poker games. If two players have equal hands, including any wild cards, the bigger fifth card decides who wins the pot. This card is known as the "kicker" in poker hand rankings.

Two Pair is another poker hand that is just what the name implies. When a player has any two cards of the same rank, with another two cards of the same rank, he or she has two pair. For example – two Kings and two 8s. If two players have this hand, the highest pair determines the winner.

In many poker games, One Pair is a fine hand, even though it is down the list of hand rank in poker. If the player has any two cards of the same rank, he or she has one pair.

At the lower end of poker hand rankings, the High Card can sometimes determine a pot winner. If a player has an Ace and the opponent has a Queen, the Ace wins.

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"Be prepared to fold more hands than you play – This may be one of the most difficult habits to get into, but winning poker players throw more hands into the muck than they play. The best players only play 2 or 3 hands out of 10 that are dealt."

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