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Poker Hand Rankings Chart: Strength and Odds Explained for BeginnersRules

Poker Hand Rankings Chart: Strength and Odds Explained for Beginners

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).RankHand NameStrength and Key FeaturesOdds (Approx.)1Royal FlushThe strongest possible hand: A, K, Q, J, 10 all in the same suit (♠/♥/♦/♣).Under about 0.0032% (about 1 in 31,000)2Straight FlushFive consecutive cards in the same suit (example: 7, 8, 9, 10, J).This excludes a royal flush.About 0.0279% (about 1 in 3,590)3Four of a KindFour cards of the same rank (example: K, K, K, K, plus one other card).About 0.168% (about 1 in 594)4Full HouseThree of a kind plus a pair(example: Q, Q, Q, 7, 7).About 2.60% (about 1 in 38)5FlushAny five cards of the same suit (example: ♠2, ♠7, ♠9, ♠J, ♠K).The ranks do not need to be consecutive.About 3.03% (about 1 in 33)6StraightFive consecutive ranks (example: 4, 5, 6, 7, 8) with any suits.You can use an Ace as high or low (A2345).About 4.62% (about 1 in 21.6)7Three of a KindThree cards of the same rank (example: 9, 9, 9, plus two other cards).This is a mid-strength hand that is not two pair or a full house.About 4.83% (about 1 in 20.7)8Two PairTwo different pairs(example: K, K, 3, 3, plus one other card).About 23.5% (about 1 in 4.26)9One PairTwo cards of the same rank(example: A, A, plus three other cards).About 43.8% (about 1 in 2.28)10High CardNo 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 Hand3-1. Royal FlushHand: A, K, Q, J, 10 all in the same suit (♠, ♥, ♦, ♣).Example: Ace-high straight flush in heartsKey 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 FlushHand: Five consecutive cards in the same suit (example: 5, 6, 7, 8, 9 all spades).Example: Ten-high straight flush in heartsKey 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 KindHand: Four cards of the same rank (example: K, K, K, K, 8).Example: Four kingsKey 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 HouseHand: Three of a kind plus a pair (example: Q, Q, Q, 7, 7).Example: Queens full of sevensKey feature: A very strong made hand. Two pair 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. FlushHand: Any five cards of the same suit (example: ♣2, ♣6, ♣8, ♣J, ♣K).Example: Queen-high flush in diamondsKey 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. StraightHand: Five consecutive ranks (example: 3, 4, 5, 6, 7) in any suits.Example: Queen-high straightKey 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 KindHand: Three cards of the same rank (example: 9, 9, 9, K, 2).Example: Three queensKey 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 PairHand: Two different pairs (example: Q, Q, 3, 3, plus one kicker).Example: Queens and threesKey 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 PairHand: Two cards of the same rank (example: A, A, plus three other cards).Example: Pair of acesKey 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 CardHand: No made hand (example: A, K, 8, 5, 2).Example: Queen-highKey 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 Rankings1. Stronger hands are harder to makeTop hands like a royal flush or straight flush are naturally difficult to complete.2. Memorize from strongest to weakestLearning 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 isLow-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.SummaryPoker 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 orderRoyal Flush → Straight Flush → Four of a Kind → … → High CardDifferences in oddsRoyal flushes and straight flushes are extremely rareOne pair and high card happen all the timeTo 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.

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Poker Variants Explained: More Than Texas Holdem, Complete Guide to Poker RulesRules

Poker Variants Explained: More Than Texas Holdem, Complete Guide to Poker Rules

When most people hear “poker,” they think of Texas Hold’em, the game featured in major tournaments worldwide, or Five Card Draw, a familiar classic in Japan. These are certainly flagship poker formats, but poker actually includes a wide range of variations beyond them.Depending on whether the game uses community cards, allows you to draw and replace cards, or evaluates hand strength using different standards, the gameplay and strategy can change dramatically. Some variants are so unique that you even compete using only four cards.In this article, we’ll introduce the major poker rules in a structured way and explain what makes each format interesting. Whether you’re a beginner or an experienced player, you’ll find new perspectives and ideas for your next challenge.Core Elements Shared by Most Poker GamesThere are many poker variants, but most share a few key elements. Let’s start by covering the fundamentals that sit at the heart of almost every poker game.BettingThe real excitement of poker comes from betting.• Value betting: betting with a strong hand to get more chips from your opponents• Bluff betting: betting with a weak hand to make opponents fold and win the potAcross multiple betting rounds, your goal is to grow your chip stack.Hand StrengthHand rankings are the foundation of poker.• The Hi standard: a Royal Flush is the strongest hand, and High Card is the weakest• The Lo standard: hands made with low cards, such as A2345, become the strongestDifferent games use different standards, so always confirm the rules before you play.Game FlowThe details vary widely, including how many cards you’re dealt, whether there are community cards, how many betting rounds there are, and whether you can draw new cards. Still, the core flow is similar: after several rounds of betting, the player with the best final hand wins the pot.Main Categories of Poker VariantsPoker can be broadly grouped into three main categories.1. Flop poker: you build hands using community cards2. Draw poker: you can exchange cards from your hand3. Stud poker: some cards are dealt face upFrom here, we’ll introduce representative games in each category.1. Flop PokerIn flop poker, you choose five cards from your hole cards and the community cards to make your best hand. Along with Texas Hold’em, we’ll also cover Omaha.1.1 − Texas Hold’emThis is the most popular poker game in the world. Each player receives two hole cards, and five community cards are dealt on the board. You make your hand by choosing the best five cards out of the seven available. The most common format is No-Limit Hold’em, where there is no cap on bet sizes. The rules are simple because you only have two hole cards, yet the strategy runs incredibly deep.Key pointsEach player gets 2 hole cards5 community cards on the table (choose 5 from 7 total to make a hand)No-Limit is the standard format, offering simple rules with deep strategy1.2 − OmahaIn Omaha, each player receives four hole cards, and five community cards are dealt. You must use exactly two cards from your hand and exactly three from the board. Because players start with more cards, strong hands like flushes and full houses occur more often, and hand strength can swing more dramatically than in Texas Hold’em. A popular format is Pot-Limit Omaha (PLO), where you can bet up to the size of the pot.Key pointsEach player gets 4 hole cards5 community cards on the tableYou must use exactly 2 from your hand and 3 from the boardBig hands happen more often, and the extra hole cards create more dramatic turnarounds2. Draw PokerDraw poker lets you exchange cards during the hand. A defining feature is that you can’t see any of your opponents’ cards at all. Unlike other poker variants, you gain information not only from bet sizing but also from how many cards an opponent draws. Some players even choose not to draw despite having a weak hand to represent strength. Here we’ll introduce the well-known Five Card Draw, plus 2-7 (Deuce-to-Seven) Triple Draw and Badugi.2.1 − Five Card DrawThis is one of the best-known poker rules in Japan, and many people have played it with family or friends. Each player is dealt five cards and tries to make the strongest hand by drawing replacements. The number of draw rounds depends on the house rules, but three draws is common. Hand rankings follow the same Hi standard as Texas Hold’em.Key pointsEach player gets 5 cardsYou draw and replace cards over several rounds to make the strongest hand2.2 − 2-7 Triple DrawThis game flips the usual Texas Hold’em hand rankings on their head, using a lowball system (and “A2345” does not count as a straight). The best possible hand is 23457 with no flush, which is why it’s called Deuce-to-Seven. As the name suggests, you can draw up to three times. It’s a popular draw game because strong hands are relatively achievable and the strategy is rich.Key pointsUp to 3 drawsThe best hand is 23457 (not a straight, not a flush)2.3 − BadugiBadugi stands out as one of the most unique poker variants. In this game, hand strength is evaluated using four cards. A “Badugi” is a hand with four cards where no ranks or suits repeat. A is the strongest and K is the weakest. The best possible hand is A234 with all four suits different. One key feature is that drawing often doesn’t reduce your hand’s value as sharply as in other draw games.Key pointsA “Badugi” is four cards with all different ranks and suitsA is strongest, K is weakestA234 is the best possible hand3. Stud PokerStud poker features partially exposed hands, with some cards dealt face up. The most common format is Seven Card Stud, where each player receives seven cards over the course of the hand. Here, we’ll look at two rulesets that use different hand-evaluation standards.3.1 − Seven Card Stud HiEach player receives seven cards, and four of them are dealt face up for everyone to see. Hands are evaluated using the same Hi standard as Texas Hold’em. Because each player receives their own unique set of seven cards (rather than sharing community cards), hand strength can shift more dramatically as the hand develops compared to Hold’em.Key points7 cards per player total, with 4 exposedUses the same Hi hand rankings as Texas Hold’em3.2 − RazzThe dealing structure is the same as Seven Card Stud Hi, but hand strength is judged using the Lo standard. The best possible hand is A2345.Key pointsSame dealing as Seven Card StudUses Lo hand rankings (A2345 is best)4. Poker Variants That Combine Multiple RulesYou can also create new poker formats by combining elements from different games. For example, you can add draw mechanics to flop poker, or evaluate hands using multiple standards. You can customize the rules to match your preferences, and trying a new hybrid game can feel refreshingly different. Let’s look at a couple of well-known examples.4.1 − Omaha Hi-LoThe dealing is the same as Omaha: each player gets four hole cards, and five community cards are dealt. You still must use exactly two from your hand and three from the board. The difference is how you determine winners. Standard Omaha uses only the Hi standard, but Omaha Hi-Lo also uses the Lo standard. The pot is split between the best Hi hand and the best Lo hand (however, a qualifying Lo hand requires five different cards of 8 or lower). Because A can be powerful in both Hi and Lo, its value becomes even higher than in many other games.Key pointsSame structure as Omaha: 4 hole cards plus 5 community cardsWinners are determined for both Hi and Lo, and the pot is splitLo requires special conditions, such as five different cards 8 or lower4.2 − BadeucyBadeucy combines 2-7 Triple Draw and Badugi into a single draw poker game. Each player is dealt five cards and can draw during the hand. The pot is split between the best 2-7 hand and the best Badugi hand (in this game, 2 is also the strongest card for Badugi).Key pointsA hybrid of 2-7 Triple Draw and Badugi5 cards are dealt, you draw, and the pot is split between the best 2-7 and best Badugi handsConclusionHow was it? We’ve covered a wide range of poker variants by category, from games where you can draw new cards to formats where part of your hand is exposed. Many of these include elements you won’t find in Texas Hold’em. Some even combine multiple poker rules into one. You might enjoy inventing your own home-game variant, too. If you’re starting to feel a little bored with your usual poker routine, try learning a new format and see how it changes the way you think about the game.

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