In poker, the winner is determined by the strength of their hand during the showdown. All players need to learn and remember the hierarchy of the different combinations.
In poker, specifically in Texas Hold’em, there are a total of 10 possible poker combinations. They are formed from 2 personal cards that the players have in their hands and 5 community cards that are laid out face up on the table. In other words, to make a 5-card combination, players can use 7 cards – two personal and 5 community cards in any combination.
Below is a comprehensive ranking of poker combinations from strongest to weakest. Additionally, detailed examples are included to assist in understanding common situations and questions that may arise when comparing poker hands.
Strongest to Weakest Poker Hand Rankings
| Rank | Hand Name | Example | Probability | Combinations |
| 1 | Royal Flush | A K Q J 10 | 0.000154% | 4 |
| 2 | Straight Flush | J 10 9 8 7 | 0.0015% | 36 |
| 3 | Four of a Kind | 8 8 8 8 K | 0.0256% | 624 |
| 4 | Full House | A A A Q Q | 0.17% | 3,744 |
| 5 | Flush | A J 8 5 4 | 0.3675 | 5,108 |
| 6 | Straight | J 10 9 8 7 | 0.76% | 10,200 |
| 7 | Three of a Kind | 9 9 9 J Q | 2.87% | 54,912 |
| 8 | Two Pair | 10 10 5 5 A | 7.62% | 123,552 |
| 9 | Pair | K K J 8 10 | 49.3% | 1,098,240 |
| 10 | High Card | A K 4 8 J | 100% | 1,302,540 |
Royal Flush
The Royal Flush is considered the rarest and strongest hand in poker. It is essentially a suited high straight, consisting of only 4 possible combinations. Two royal flushes can’t occur in one hand, making the player who collects this combination the guaranteed winner.
Straight Flush
Five cards in a row of the same suit, based on seniority. But not from Ace to 10 (otherwise, it will be Royal Flush). The player with the highest last card wins.
Four of a Kind (Quads)
Four cards of the same ranking value, for example: 10
10
10
10
. If two players have the same four-of-a-kind, the one with the higher kicker (fifth card) wins.
Full House
A Full House is a poker hand that consists of three cards of the same value and a pair of any two cards. In other words, it is a combination of a three and a pair. If both players have Full Houses, the one with the highest combination of threes wins. However, if two players have the same three-of-a-kind, the one with the highest pair wins.
Flush
Five cards of the same suit. If both players have a Flush, consisting of five cards of the same suit in any sequence, the player with the highest card in the combination wins. If the highest Flush card is the same for both players, then the next highest card is compared.
Straight
A straight in poker refers to a sequence of five cards in consecutive order, regardless of suit. For example, 5
, 6
, 7
, 8
, 9
. If two players both have a straight, the player with the highest card at the end of the sequence wins.
Three of a Kind (Set, Trips)
In poker, a Three of a Kind refers to having three cards of the same value, such as 2
2
2
. It is a strong hand, and players are often confident when holding it.
When a player with a pocket pair gets another card of the same value on the post-flop, it is considered a set. However, if the player has only one of the three cards in their hand, it is called trips. Although both are technically the same poker combination, a set is considered more protected and difficult for opponents to figure out.
A set and a pair together form a stronger poker combination called a full house. When comparing two sets, the winner is determined by the seniority of the cards. If players have collected two sets of cards of the same denomination, the winner will be determined by the kicker.
Two Pair
Two pair is the combination of two cards of the same rank and another two cards of the same rank. When two players have two pairs, their hands are compared, and the player with the highest pair wins. If the players have the same two pairs, then the player with the higher fifth card, known as the “kicker,” wins.
Pair
Two cards of the same rank. The highest pair will be a pair of A
A
, and the lowest pair will be 2
2
. If both players have a pair, the player with the higher (stronger) pair wins.
High Card
In poker, the highest card is the weakest hand you can have. It is simply the highest card on the table or in your hand. The ranking goes from lowest to highest starting with Two 2
and going up to an Ace A
. Therefore, the highest card in poker without a combination will always be an Ace.
Remember that despite having a weak hand, it is still possible to win at the showdown with it. This can happen if none of the players have a better hand. In this scenario, the hand with the higher cards wins, which is how it got its name. The comparison of cards is done sequentially from the highest. If both players have the same highest cards, then the second highest card is compared, and so on. Notably, the King or Ace often have a chance to win with the highest card.
The rule in poker known as the highest card, or kicker, can determine the winner for combinations using less than 5 cards.
What wins: Full House or Four of a Kind?
Four of a Kind always beats a Full House in any form of poker. Four of a kind is the third most powerful combination, ranking only below the Straight Flush and Royal Flush.
Which hand is better: a Flush or a Full House?
In Texas Hold’em, as in almost all other types of poker, a Full House is higher than a Flush. The only exception is short deck poker (6+ Hold’em), where the probability of a Flush is lower than the probability of a Full House. Accordingly, in short deck poker, a Flush is higher than a Full House.
Which hand is better: Three of a Kind or a Straight?
In most poker variations, a Straight is considered better than Three of a Kind. However, in short deck poker (6+ variations), Three of a Kind is higher than Straight. Notably, in Triton variation, a Straight is higher than Three of a Kind, just like in classic Hold’em. It’s crucial to verify the specific rules of short deck poker being played in your poker room before joining a game.
Save this page to your bookmarks to always remember poker hand rankings. Good luck at the gaming table!
