[List of Poker Hands] Explaining the strength of poker hands! Remember the important points!

Strength of Numbers

List of Hand Strengths

Pig/High Card

A hand that hasn’t formed any specific combination.

One Pair

A hand where 2 out of 5 cards are the same number, and the remaining 3 cards are of different numbers.

Between one pair hands, the one with the higher number is stronger.

Both A and B have one pair of Aces, but since poker uses 5 cards, the remaining 3 cards act as kickers. In this case, the ♠3 and ♦2 are the same for both A and B, so the decision comes down to the last card, which for A is ♣Q and for B is ♦8. Since Q is higher, A wins.

Key Point

In a clash of one pair hands, the pair with the higher number wins. If the pairs are the same, the strength of the remaining cards determines the winner.

Two Pair

A hand with two one pairs.

In this case, both A and B have the same two pairs, but A has a pair of 8s and 2s, and B has a pair of Ts and 4s. The person with the higher number pair wins, so B wins.

Here, both A and B have a pair of Qs, but the remaining pair for A is 3s, and for B is 6s, so B wins.

Both A and B have two pairs of Ks and 3s, but the remaining card for A is ♠2, and for B is ♠A, so B wins.

Key Point

In a two pair showdown, the hand with the higher pair wins. If the higher pairs are the same, then the lower pairs are compared, and if they are also the same, the winner is determined by the strength of the last card.

Three of a Kind/Trips

A hand where 3 out of 5 cards are of the same number.

Both A and B have three 4s. Since ♠2 is the same for both, the last card decides the winner: A has ♣3 and B has ❤J, so B wins.

Key Point

In a three of a kind showdown, the winner is determined by the strength of those cards. If the three of a kind is the same, then the remaining two cards decide the winner.

Straight

A hand where all 5 cards form a sequence. A can connect with “A2345” and “TJQKA”. However, it does not connect with “JQKA2”, so be careful.

The strongest card in this case is ❤Q for A and ❤5 for B, so A wins.

Key Point

In a straight showdown, the hand with the highest card in the sequence wins. However, in the case of “A2345”, 5 is the highest card, meaning this straight is **the weakest straight**.

Flush

A hand where all 5 cards are of the same suit.

A has a King-high flush, while B has an Ace-high flush, so B wins.

Key Point

In the case of a flush versus a flush, the outcome is determined by the strongest card included.

Full House

A hand with three cards of the same number and the remaining two cards also of the same number.

A has a full house of 3s, B has a full house of 5s, so B wins.

Both A and B have a full house of 6s, but the remaining pair for A is 7s, and for B is 4s, so A wins.

Key Point

In a full house showdown, the strength of the three cards decides the winner. If those are the same, then the remaining pair decides the winner.

Four of a Kind/Quads

A hand where 4 out of 5 cards are the same.

Straight Flush

A hand where both a straight and a flush coexist.

A has a ❤9 straight flush, B has a ❤5 straight flush, so A wins. In a straight flush showdown, like a straight, the hand with the highest card wins.

Royal Straight Flush

The strongest hand among straight flushes. A straight flush of “TJQKA” is called a “Royal Straight Flush” and is the strongest hand in poker. Sometimes it is explained as a separate hand.

Summary

How was it?

If you find it hard to remember all the hands, keep in mind:

• The number A is the strongest
• Three of a Kind is stronger than Two Pair
• Flush is stronger than Straight
• Full House is stronger than Flush

With these points in mind, you should be able to play without much trouble.