Poker Hand Rankings

Poker Hand Rankings FAQ

• Does a straight beat a flush?

  No. This is one of the most common misconceptions in poker. In Texas Holdem a flush (five cards of the same suit) always beats a straight (five cards in a numeric sequence). A straight-flush, which is five cards of the same suit in consecutive order, beats both hands.

• What poker hand is better - two pair or three of a kind?

  Three-of-a-kind always beats two-pair. The only “made” poker hand that two-pair beats is one pair.

• Does “All Reds” or “All Blacks” beat a straight?

  “All Reds” or “All Blacks” doesn’t beat/mean anything in poker. To make a flush in poker you have to have five cards of the same SUIT. That means five spades, hearts, clubs or diamonds. Having all one color is not a poker hand.

• Does it matter if I have higher flush cards?

  It does. In No-Limit Hold’em if you have a flush with an ace as the highest card and your opponent has a flush with a king as the high card, you win. 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).

• Which suit in poker is ranked the highest?

  In virtually all poker games, suits don’t count. Spades aren’t better than hearts, clubs aren’t higher than diamonds, etc. If you have the same poker hand as your opponent but in different suits you simply split the pot. This misconception is from other games where suits do matter.

• Are Poker Hand Rankings different for other poker games?

  Actually, yes. For the main poker variations - Texas Hold'em, Pot-Limit Omaha, Seven-Card Stud, 5-Card Draw - hand rankings are the same. But for split games - Omaha Hi-Lo, Stud Hi-Lo - half of the pot is awarded to the lowest hand. For lowball games like 2-7 Triple Draw and Razz only the lowest hand will win the pot. Straights and flushes don't count in Razz while in 2-7 they actually count against you.

• How are hands ranked in 3-Card Poker?

  3-Card Poker is a casino table game and, while it does have the name 'poker' in its title, it isn't exactly the same game. The poker hand rankings used are the same as in standard poker variations with a major exception - straights and flushes are reversed. That means in 3-Card Poker a straight BEATS a flush.

• What do I beat if I have 3 Pairs?

  Absolutely nothing. You just use your two highest pairs. There is no such thing as “3-pair” in poker.

• Is there a difference between Trips and a Set? Which is better?

  Trips and a set are the same hand: Three-of-a-kind. The difference is how you acquire three-of-a-kind. A set is made when your pocket pair hits one card on the board. Trips are made when you utilize two cards on the board and one in your hand to make three-of-a-kind. Because they are much easier to conceal when betting, sets are generally considered the better hand.

• What if there’s a straight on the board?

  You chop the pot. That’s provided that no player has a better hand (flush or higher) or someone has a higher straight using the cards in their hand.

• What is a Four-Flush in poker?

  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. It’s worth noting this is one of the key differences between No-Limit Hold’em and Pot-Limit Omaha. In PLO you have to use two of your cards so you can’t have a four-flush.

• What if I have the same pair as my opponent?

  If both players have the same pair, the highest non-matched cards (the "kicker') are compared to determine the winner. If both players have the same high card, the next highest cards are compared. If both players have the exact same pair AND the exact same kicker cards, the pot is split.

• Can you make a Straight with 4-3-2-A-K?

  No. While the ace can make both the lowest straight (A-2-3-4-5) and the highest straight (A-K-Q-J-10) it can’t wrap around.

• Does my 3-3-3-A-A Full House beat my opponent’s 8-8-8-K-K?

  Nope. When it comes to full houses the highest of the three-of-a-kinds determines the winner. In the example above the full house with three 8s tops the full house with three 3s.

• Who wins with Four-of-a-Kind on the board?

  The player with the highest kicker. For instance if the board is 8-8-8-8-5, you have A-K and your opponent has K-Q, you win. (Your best five-card hand is 8-8-8-8-A, his is 8-8-8-8-K). If the board was 8-8-8-8-A you’d split the pot as the best five-card hand for both of you is 8-8-8-8-A.

• What’s the difference Between Four-of-a-Kind and “Quads”?

  Nothing. They’re exactly the same hand.