Poker Hand Rankings Chart

The best possible hand in poker. A Royal Flush consists of Ace, King, Queen, Jack, and Ten, all of the same suit. It cannot be beaten by any other hand. In Texas Hold'em, you might play your entire career and only see one at showdown — the odds of being dealt one are roughly 1 in 650,000.

Five cards in consecutive order, all of the same suit. If two players both have a straight flush, the one with the higher top card wins. You'll most commonly make these with suited connectors like 7♣6♣ when the board cooperates. A Royal Flush is technically just the highest possible straight flush.

Four cards of the same rank from different suits, plus one side card. Also known as "quads." Higher-ranked quads beat lower-ranked quads, and if two players somehow both flop quads, the fifth card (the kicker) breaks the tie. In Hold'em, quads usually mean you're stacking someone — the challenge is getting paid off.

A combination of three of a kind and a pair. When comparing full houses, the rank of the three-of-a-kind determines the winner — so Q-Q-Q-5-5 beats J-J-J-A-A. Often called a "boat" at the table. Full houses come up more often than you'd expect, especially on paired boards.

Five cards of the same suit, in any order. If two players each have a flush, the one with the highest card wins. If those match, compare the next highest, and so on. In Hold'em, be cautious when three cards of one suit appear on the board — if you don't hold the Ace of that suit, someone else's flush could have you beaten.

Five cards in consecutive order, regardless of suit. The Ace can be used as high (A-K-Q-J-10) or low (5-4-3-2-A), but not both — so K-A-2-3-4 is not a valid straight. Straights are often disguised hands that catch opponents off guard, especially when made with middle cards on the board.

Three cards of the same rank, plus two unrelated side cards. When you make three of a kind using a pocket pair plus one board card, it's called a "set." When you use one hole card and two board cards, it's called "trips." Sets are generally stronger because they're harder for opponents to spot.

Two separate pairs of cards with the same rank, plus one side card. The highest pair determines the winner. If tied, the second pair is compared, then the kicker. Two pair is often cited as the average winning hand in Texas Hold'em — strong enough to win most pots, but vulnerable to straights and flushes.

Two cards of the same rank, plus three unrelated side cards. Higher pairs beat lower pairs. If tied, the side cards (kickers) are compared one by one. You'll make at least a pair on the flop around a third of the time when starting with two unpaired cards — it's the most common made hand in poker.

When no other hand is made, the highest card in your hand plays. If two players have the same high card, the next highest card is compared, and so on. Despite being the weakest ranking, high-card hands win more pots than you'd think — most hands in Hold'em are won by betting, not by showdown.