Poker Hand Rankings: The Complete Guide to All Poker Hands from Best to Worst

Understanding poker hand rankings is the foundation of becoming a winning poker player. Whether you're a complete beginner or looking to refine your hand evaluation skills, this comprehensive guide covers everything from basic hand rankings to advanced concepts like kickers, board texture, and relative hand strength. Master these fundamentals, and you'll be well on your way to making better decisions at the poker table.

Poker Hand Rankings: Complete List from Best to Worst

In standard poker (Texas Hold'em, Omaha, and most variants), hands are ranked in the following order. The best possible hand is a Royal Flush, and the worst is a high card. Here's the complete ranking:

1. Royal Flush - The Unbeatable Hand

Definition: A, K, Q, J, 10, all of the same suit

Example: A♠ K♠ Q♠ J♠ 10♠

Probability: 0.000154% (1 in 649,740 hands)

The Royal Flush is the strongest possible hand in poker and cannot be beaten. It's the dream hand every player hopes to see at least once in their poker career. When you have a Royal Flush, your only concern is how to extract maximum value from your opponents.

2. Straight Flush - Five Sequential Cards of the Same Suit

Definition: Five consecutive cards of the same suit (not A-K-Q-J-10)

Example: 9♥ 8♥ 7♥ 6♥ 5♥

Probability: 0.00139% (1 in 72,193 hands)

A Straight Flush is extremely rare and almost always the winning hand. The higher the cards in your straight flush, the better. A straight flush to the King (K-Q-J-10-9) beats a straight flush to the 9 (9-8-7-6-5).

Special case: The wheel straight flush (5-4-3-2-A of the same suit) is the lowest possible straight flush, but it's still an incredibly strong hand.

3. Four of a Kind (Quads) - Four Cards of the Same Rank

Definition: Four cards of the same rank, plus any fifth card (kicker)

Example: 8♠ 8♥ 8♦ 8♣ K♠

Probability: 0.024% (1 in 4,165 hands)

Four of a Kind is an extremely powerful hand. The rank of the four cards determines the winner if multiple players have quads. Four Aces beats Four Kings, Four Kings beats Four Queens, and so on.

Kicker importance: If two players have the same four of a kind (only possible when quads are on the board), the fifth card (kicker) determines the winner.

4. Full House (Boat) - Three of a Kind + One Pair

Definition: Three cards of one rank and two cards of another rank

Example: K♠ K♥ K♦ 9♣ 9♠ (Kings full of Nines)

Probability: 0.1441% (1 in 694 hands)

A Full House is a very strong hand that wins most pots. When comparing Full Houses, the rank of the three-of-a-kind determines the winner, not the pair.

Examples of Full House hierarchy:

• Aces full of Kings (A-A-A-K-K) beats Kings full of Aces (K-K-K-A-A)
• Queens full of Deuces (Q-Q-Q-2-2) beats Jacks full of Aces (J-J-J-A-A)
• The three-of-a-kind always matters most

5. Flush - Five Cards of the Same Suit

Definition: Five cards of the same suit, not in sequence

Example: A♦ J♦ 9♦ 5♦ 3♦

Probability: 0.1965% (1 in 509 hands)

A Flush is a strong hand, especially when you have the nut flush (Ace-high). When multiple players have flushes, the player with the highest card wins. If the highest cards are equal, compare the second-highest, and so on.

Nut flush advantage: Having the Ace of the flush suit means you have the best possible flush. This is crucial information for value betting and avoiding coolers.

6. Straight - Five Sequential Cards of Mixed Suits

Definition: Five consecutive cards of different suits

Example: 10♥ 9♠ 8♦ 7♣ 6♥

Probability: 0.3925% (1 in 255 hands)

A Straight is a medium-strength hand that can win big pots or lose big pots depending on the situation. The highest card in the straight determines its rank.

The wheel (A-2-3-4-5): The Ace can be used as either the high card in a straight (A-K-Q-J-10) or as the low card in a "wheel" straight (5-4-3-2-A). The wheel is the lowest possible straight.

Important: Straights do not "wrap around." K-A-2-3-4 is NOT a straight.

7. Three of a Kind (Trips or Set) - Three Cards of the Same Rank

Definition: Three cards of the same rank, plus two unrelated cards

Example: J♠ J♥ J♦ 8♣ 4♠

Probability: 2.1128% (1 in 47 hands)

Terminology difference:

• Set: When you have a pocket pair and hit one on the board (e.g., you have 9-9, board has 9-K-3)
• Trips: When you have one card matching a pair on the board (e.g., you have A-9, board has 9-9-3)

Sets are much more disguised than trips and typically win bigger pots because opponents can't see the pair in your hand.

8. Two Pair - Two Cards of One Rank + Two Cards of Another Rank

Definition: Two pairs of cards with the same rank, plus one unrelated card (kicker)

Example: Q♥ Q♠ 7♦ 7♣ A♥

Probability: 4.7539% (1 in 21 hands)

Two Pair is a medium-strength hand. When comparing two-pair hands, the highest pair determines the winner. If those are equal, the second pair is compared. If both pairs are equal, the kicker decides.

Example: Queens and Sevens beats Jacks and Tens, even though Tens are higher than Sevens.

9. One Pair - Two Cards of the Same Rank

Definition: Two cards of the same rank, plus three unrelated cards

Example: 10♠ 10♥ A♦ 8♣ 3♠

Probability: 42.2569% (1 in 2.37 hands)

One Pair is the most common made hand in poker. The rank of the pair matters most, followed by the kickers. You'll frequently play for small pots with one pair and need to be cautious about over-committing chips.

Overpair vs. underpair:

• Overpair: Your pocket pair is higher than any card on the board (you have K-K, board is 10-8-3)
• Underpair: Your pocket pair is lower than a card on the board (you have 9-9, board is K-8-3)

10. High Card - No Made Hand

Definition: Five unrelated cards with no pairs, straights, or flushes

Example: A♥ K♠ J♦ 9♣ 4♠ (Ace-high)

Probability: 50.1177% (about 1 in 2 hands)

High Card is the weakest hand category. When no player has made a hand (extremely rare), the highest card wins. If the highest cards are equal, compare the second-highest, and so on.

In practice, high card rarely wins at showdown in multi-way pots, but Ace-high can be a winner in heads-up situations, especially on missed draw boards.

Understanding Kickers: The Fifth Card That Matters

A kicker is a card that doesn't contribute to the main ranking of your hand but is used to break ties. Understanding kickers is crucial for hand evaluation.

When Kickers Matter

One Pair situations:

Kicker quality importance:

• Ace kicker is premium - play aggressively
• King or Queen kicker is good - proceed with caution
• Jack or lower kicker is weak - often fold to aggression

Counterfeited Kickers

Sometimes the board "counterfeits" your kicker, making it irrelevant:

Reading the Board: How to Identify Your Best Five Cards

In Texas Hold'em, you make the best five-card hand using any combination of your two hole cards and the five community cards. Let's practice reading boards:

Example 1: Identifying Your Hand

Example 2: Playing the Board

Example 3: Flush with Ace Kicker

Relative Hand Strength: Context Matters

A hand's absolute strength (where it ranks) is less important than its relative strength (how it compares to opponent ranges in specific situations). This concept is fundamental to GTO poker strategy.

Board Texture and Hand Strength

Dry boards (few draws, disconnected cards):

• Top pair is very strong
• Overpairs are premium
• Bluffs have less credibility
• Example: K♥ 7♦ 2♣ rainbow

Wet boards (many possible draws and made hands):

• Top pair is vulnerable
• You need two pair or better for comfort
• Bluffs are more credible
• Example: J♥ 10♥ 9♠

Multi-Way vs Heads-Up Pots

Heads-up (1v1):

• Top pair top kicker is often good enough to get all-in
• Ace-high can win at showdown
• Bluffing is more effective

Multi-way (3+ players):

• Someone usually has a strong hand
• You typically need two pair or better
• Bluffing is less effective
• Drawing hands have better implied odds

Hand Strength by Street

Pre-Flop Hand Strength

Pre-flop, hand strength is determined by potential to make strong hands post-flop. Here's a general ranking:

Premium Hands (Top 5%):

• AA, KK, QQ, JJ, AKs (suited Ace-King)
• These hands are profitable from any position
• Should almost always raise or 3-bet

Strong Hands (Top 15%):

• TT, 99, AKo, AQs, AJs, KQs
• Profitable from most positions
• Raise from all but early position

Playable Hands (Top 25%):

• 88, 77, AQo, AJo, KQo, suited connectors like JTs, T9s
• Position-dependent profitability
• Raise from late position, fold or call from early position

For detailed pre-flop strategy by position, see our poker position strategy guide.

Flop Hand Strength

On the flop, categorize your hand:

Monsters (top of your range):

• Sets, straights, flushes, two pair
• Bet for value, build the pot
• Consider slow-playing on dry boards

Strong made hands:

• Top pair top kicker, overpairs
• Bet for value and protection
• Can call down versus aggression

Medium-strength hands:

• Top pair weak kicker, middle pair, weak two pair
• Bet for thin value or pot control
• Difficult to play profitably

Draws:

• Flush draws, straight draws, combo draws
• Semi-bluff or call for the right price
• See our pot odds guide for draw math

Weak hands / Air:

• Nothing made, no draws
• Bluff occasionally or give up
• Don't over-bluff in multi-way pots

Advanced Hand Evaluation Concepts

Blockers and Hand Removal

The cards in your hand affect what hands your opponents can have. This is called card removal or blockers:

Learn more about advanced blocker concepts in our blockers and unblockers guide.

Nut Advantage and Range Advantage

Nut advantage: When your range contains more of the strongest possible hands than your opponent's range.

Range advantage: When your overall range is stronger than your opponent's range.

Understanding ranges is crucial for modern poker. See our guide on understanding ranges in poker.

Hand Equity vs Showdown Value

Equity: Your hand's mathematical chance of winning at showdown

Showdown value: Whether your hand is strong enough to win without improving

Common Hand Ranking Mistakes

1. Overvaluing Top Pair on Wet Boards

Many players get married to top pair even when the board is extremely coordinated with flush and straight possibilities. On wet boards, top pair is often just a bluff-catcher.

2. Undervaluing Sets

Sets are much stronger than many players realize, especially on dry boards. They're disguised, can improve to full houses, and beat most hands people call with.

3. Not Recognizing Counterfeited Hands

When the board pairs or completes obvious draws, your hand value can change dramatically. A hand that was strong on the turn might be worthless on the river.

4. Ignoring Suit Coordination

When three cards of the same suit appear on the board, any flush beats your straight. When four cards of a suit appear, anyone with a single card of that suit has you beat.

5. Confusing Straights Around the Ace

Remember: K-A-2-3-4 is NOT a straight. The Ace can only be high (A-K-Q-J-10) or low (5-4-3-2-A), not both in the same hand.

Hand Rankings in Different Poker Variants

Texas Hold'em

Standard hand rankings apply. Most common variant both live and online.

Omaha and Omaha Hi-Lo

Hand rankings are identical, but you must use exactly two cards from your hand and three from the board. This creates many more possible combinations.

Important Omaha rule: You CANNOT use three or four cards from your hand, even if it makes a better hand.

Short Deck (6+ Hold'em)

Uses a deck with all cards 2-5 removed. Hand rankings are slightly different:

• Flush beats Full House (flushes are rarer with fewer cards)
• Three of a Kind beats a Straight
• A-6-7-8-9 is a straight (Ace can be low)
• All other rankings remain the same

Probability and Hand Rankings: The Math

Understanding the probability of making different hands helps with decision-making:

Probability of Being Dealt Pre-Flop Hands

Probability of Making Hands by the River

For detailed odds calculations, check out our pot odds and poker math guide.

Using Hand Rankings in Game Theory Optimal (GTO) Play

Modern poker strategy uses hand rankings as a foundation but focuses more on ranges and frequencies. GTO strategy involves:

Polarized vs Merged Ranges

Polarized range: Contains very strong hands and bluffs, with few medium-strength hands

Merged (condensed) range: Contains many medium-strength hands

Understanding which range you and your opponent have affects how you value your specific hand.

Learn more in our guide on polarized vs merged ranges.

Hand Categories in GTO Play

Rather than thinking "I have two pair," think:

• "Is this in the top X% of my range?"
• "How does this compare to opponent's likely holdings?"
• "What frequency should I bet/call/fold with this hand category?"

Use poker solvers to study how hand strength translates to optimal actions across different board textures.

Practice: Test Your Hand Reading Skills

Quiz 1: Identify the Winner

Quiz 2: What's the Nut Hand?

Quiz 3: Calculate Your Hand

Hand Rankings Cheat Sheet for Quick Reference

1. Royal Flush: A-K-Q-J-10, same suit (unbeatable)
2. Straight Flush: Five sequential cards, same suit
3. Four of a Kind: Four cards of same rank
4. Full House: Three of a kind + pair
5. Flush: Five cards of same suit
6. Straight: Five sequential cards, mixed suits
7. Three of a Kind: Three cards of same rank
8. Two Pair: Two pairs of different ranks
9. One Pair: Two cards of same rank
10. High Card: No made hand

Conclusion: Mastering Hand Rankings is Just the Beginning

Understanding poker hand rankings is essential, but it's only the foundation. The best poker players know that:

• Context matters more than absolute hand strength: A flush on a paired board might be worthless
• Position affects hand value: Learn positional strategy
• Opponent ranges define hand strength: Study range construction
• Math informs decisions: Master pot odds
• Hand combinations affect ranges: Learn combo counting

Your Learning Path

1. Memorize hand rankings until they're automatic
2. Practice reading boards and identifying the nuts
3. Study how board texture affects hand strength
4. Learn pre-flop hand selection by position
5. Understand kickers and tiebreakers
6. Progress to range-based thinking
7. Study GTO fundamentals with solvers
8. Apply exploitative adjustments based on opponents

Master these fundamentals, and you'll have the foundation to become a winning poker player. Hand rankings are just the beginning - combine them with solid GTO strategy, tell reading, and proper bankroll management to crush the games.

Ready to take your poker knowledge to the next level? Use GTO Gecko to study optimal strategies, practice hand evaluation, and develop the skills that separate recreational players from professionals. Understanding hand rankings is your first step toward poker mastery.