Poker Hand Rankings
When two or more players reach the end of a hand, they reveal their cards to determine the winner. This is called a showdown. Each player makes the strongest five-card hand available from their hole cards and the community cards, then compares its ranking. First compare the hand category, such as a Flush or a Straight. If both players have the same category, this lesson will show you how to break the tie.
The ranking ladder runs from strongest to weakest. A hand category always beats every category below it.
By the end, you will be able to
- recognize all ten displayed hand categories
- put them in strongest-to-weakest order
- resolve simple ties and split pots
STRONGEST → WEAKEST
The poker hand ranking ladder
Scan from top to bottom. Select any category to study its five-card example at full size.
Focused example · 01
Royal Flush
A, K, Q, J and 10 in the same suit. It is the highest possible Straight Flush.
Focused example · 02
Straight Flush
Five cards in sequence, all in the same suit.
Focused example · 03
Four of a Kind
Four cards of the same rank, plus one other card.
Focused example · 04
Full House
Three cards of one rank and two cards of another rank.
Focused example · 05
Flush
Five cards of the same suit that are not all in sequence.
Focused example · 06
Straight
Five cards in sequence. The suits do not need to match.
Focused example · 07
Three of a Kind
Three cards of the same rank, plus two other cards.
Focused example · 08
Two Pair
Two cards of one rank, two cards of another rank, and one other card.
Focused example · 09
One Pair
Two cards of the same rank, plus three other cards.
Focused example · 10
High Card
No category above is made, so the highest relevant cards decide the hand.
WHEN CATEGORIES MATCH
How ties are broken
If both players have the same type of hand, compare the cards that make that hand. If those are also equal, the remaining cards may decide the winner.
Different categories
The stronger category wins before individual card ranks are compared.
Same category
Compare the cards that form the category first. If those match, compare the relevant remaining cards in order.
Kicker breaks the tie
A kicker is a side card used to break a tie when players otherwise hold the same category and rank.
Suits have equal rank
Spades are not stronger than hearts, diamonds or clubs in Texas Hold’em.
Identical best five split the pot
If two players have the exact same best five-card hand, the pot is divided.
CHECK YOUR UNDERSTANDING
Knowledge check
Use the ladder and tie rules. Each question tests one idea from this lesson.
This is a 4-question test. Start when you are ready.
Hand rankings in one view
- Compare the five-card hand category first.
- The ranking ladder runs from Royal Flush down to High Card.
- Within the same category, compare the category cards and then relevant kickers.
- A kicker is a side card that can break a tie.
- Suits do not outrank one another.
- Identical best five-card hands split the pot.
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