In poker, correctly understanding how strong each hand ranking is plays a key role in improving your equity. Poker includes many different hands, and each one has a defined rank (strength) and probability of occurring.
In this article, we’ll cover the standard poker hand rankings in Texas Hold’em in an easy-to-read table, including the order of strength and the approximate odds of making each hand. If you’re new to poker, start by learning which hands are rare and how valuable they are.
Poker Hand Rankings and Odds (Quick List)
The list below shows hand strength from strongest at the top to weakest at the bottom. The odds are approximate and refer to the final hand you make in Texas Hold’em (as a guideline for building the best 5-card hand from 7 cards).
Name | Strength and Key Features | (Approx.) | |
|---|---|---|---|
1 | The strongest possible hand: A, K, Q, J, 10 all in the same suit (♠/♥/♦/♣). | Under about 0.0032% | |
2 |
| Five consecutive cards in the same suit (example: 7, 8, 9, 10, J). | About 0.0279% |
3 | Four of a Kind | Four cards of the same rank (example: K, K, K, K, plus one other card). | About 0.168% |
4 | plus a pair | About 2.60% | |
5 | Flush | Any five cards of the same suit (example: ♠2, ♠7, ♠9, ♠J, ♠K). | About 3.03% |
6 | Straight | Five consecutive ranks (example: 4, 5, 6, 7, 8) with any suits. | About 4.62% |
7 | Three of a Kind | Three cards of the same rank (example: 9, 9, 9, plus two other cards). | About 4.83% |
8 | Two Pair | Two different pairs | About 23.5% |
9 | Two cards of the same rank | About 43.8% | |
10 | High Card | No made hand. Your highest card determines strength (example: Ace-high). | About 17.4% |
Note: The odds above are reference values to help you visualize how often your final 5-card hand ends up as each ranking.
(Example: You can make a full house about 2.6% of the time.)
Explanation of Each Poker Hand
3-1. Royal Flush
- Hand: A, K, Q, J, 10 all in the same suit (♠, ♥, ♦, ♣).
- Example: Ace-high straight flush in hearts
- Key feature: The strongest hand in poker, and extremely rare. Two players making a royal flush in the same hand is almost unheard of.
- Tip: In Texas Hold’em, some casinos or tournaments offer special bonuses for hitting a royal flush.
3-2. Straight Flush
- Hand: Five consecutive cards in the same suit (example: 5, 6, 7, 8, 9 all spades).
- Example: Ten-high straight flush in hearts
- Key feature: A straight flush that is not a royal flush. You can also think of a royal flush as the highest possible straight flush.
- Tip: If you make a straight flush, you can still lose to a higher straight flush, so always compare the top card.
3-3. Four of a Kind
- Hand: Four cards of the same rank (example: K, K, K, K, 8).
- Example: Four kings
- Key feature: It does not happen often, but you can make it by flopping a set (three of a kind) and then catching the fourth card on the turn or river.
- Tip: If someone holds the remaining card of that rank, you cannot make quads, so table dynamics can affect how realistic it is.
3-4. Full House
- Hand: Three of a kind plus a pair (example: Q, Q, Q, 7, 7).
- Example: Queens full of sevens
- Key feature: A very strong made hand. can improve into a full house, and trips can also improve into a full house.
• Tip: When full houses collide, the hand with the higher three of a kind wins.
3-5. Flush
- Hand: Any five cards of the same suit (example: ♣2, ♣6, ♣8, ♣J, ♣K).
- Example: Queen-high flush in diamonds
- Key feature: The ranks do not need to be consecutive. If both players have a flush, the highest card decides the winner.
- Tip: Flushes can be strong when you are the only player chasing them, but multiple players can make a flush, leading to kicker battles.
3-6. Straight
- Hand: Five consecutive ranks (example: 3, 4, 5, 6, 7) in any suits.
- Example: Queen-high straight
- Key feature: An Ace can play high (10, J, Q, K, A) or low (A, 2, 3, 4, 5).
- Tip: You cannot have gaps (example: 4, 5, 7, 8, 9 is not a straight). If all five cards share a suit, it becomes a straight flush.
3-7. Three of a Kind
- Hand: Three cards of the same rank (example: 9, 9, 9, K, 2).
- Example: Three queens
- Key feature: Players often distinguish between a set (you hold a pocket pair and hit a third card on the board) and trips (the board is paired and your hole card matches it).
- Tip: In three of a kind vs. three of a kind, the higher trips wins.
3-8. Two Pair
- Hand: Two different pairs (example: Q, Q, 3, 3, plus one kicker).
- Example: Queens and threes
- Key feature: A common mid-strength hand in Texas Hold’em.
- Tip: When two pair vs. two pair happens, compare the higher pair first, then the lower pair, then the kicker.
3-9. One Pair
- Hand: Two cards of the same rank (example: A, A, plus three other cards).
- Example: Pair of aces
- Key feature: The most common made hand in poker. Small pocket pairs often remain just one pair by the river.
- Tip: The higher pair wins. If the pairs match, kickers decide.
3-10. High Card
- Hand: No made hand (example: A, K, 8, 5, 2).
- Example: Queen-high
- Key feature: The weakest hand, but you will still see many pots decided by high card when neither player connects with the board.
- Tip: In high-card vs. high-card, compare the highest card first, then the next highest, and so on.
Tips for Memorizing Poker Hand Rankings
1. Stronger hands are harder to make
Top hands like a royal flush or straight flush are naturally difficult to complete.
2. Memorize from strongest to weakest
Learning in order, from royal flush down to high card, makes the rankings easier to organize in your head.
3. Odds show how rare a hand is
Low-probability hands like four of a kind are less likely to be beaten. On the other hand, one pair happens frequently, so a single pair often loses to stronger made hands.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Q1. Can two players make a royal flush in the same hand?
It is extremely rare, but it is possible in theory. In real play, you will almost never see it.
Q2. Does A2345 count as a straight?
Yes. It is a straight where the Ace plays low, often called the wheel.
However, it is the lowest possible straight, so it loses to any higher straight.
Q3. How do you decide a winner when both players have a flush?
Compare the highest card in each flush. If those tie, compare the next highest card, and continue until one player has a higher card.
Summary
Poker hands vary widely in how often they appear, and the rarer the hand, the stronger it is. In Texas Hold’em, you build your final hand by choosing the best five cards from your two hole cards plus the five community cards. Because everyone shares the board, multiple players can unexpectedly make strong hands, leading to close showdowns.
- Hand ranking order
Royal Flush → Straight Flush → Four of a Kind → … → High Card
- Differences in odds
- Royal flushes and straight flushes are extremely rare
- One pair and high card happen all the time
To enjoy poker and improve, you must first understand hand strength. Once you know the rankings, move on to reading the board texture and estimating what hands your opponents can have (range reading). Use this guide to master poker hand rankings.
As a beginner, it’s fine to keep the table nearby while you play. With repetition, you will memorize it naturally. After you learn the hand rankings, start studying poker strategy and decision-making to keep improving your game.
