Poker is a game of strategy, skill, and luck, and one of the most crucial aspects of playing poker successfully is understanding the different 10 poker hands. The ranking of these hands determines who wins the game, and knowing the value of each hand is essential to making the right decisions at the table.
In this article, we will go over the 10 poker hands you need to know, from the lowest to the highest, to help you improve your poker game.
The 10 Poker Hands Ranked from Lowest to Highest
1. High Card 10 Poker Hands
The High Card hand is the weakest hand in poker, but it’s important to understand because it often determines the winner in a tie. When no player has any matching cards, the highest card in their hand wins. If players have the same highest card, the next highest card is used to break the tie, and so on.
- Example: Ace of hearts, 10 of clubs, 7 of diamonds, 4 of spades, and 3 of hearts.
- In this case, the Ace is the highest card, making this a high card hand.
2. One Pair 10 Poker Hands
A One Pair hand occurs when you have two cards of the same rank. This is a common hand, and if more than one player has a pair, the player with the highest pair wins. If both players have the same pair, the next highest card (the kicker) determines the winner.
- Example: King of diamonds and King of spades.
- If both players have a pair of Kings, the player with the highest kicker card wins.
3. Two Pair 10 Poker Hands
A Two Pair hand consists of two pairs of matching cards. This hand is stronger than a single pair but weaker than three of a kind. The player with the highest pair wins, and if both players have the same pair, the second pair is used to break the tie.
- Example: Queen of hearts, Queen of spades, 9 of clubs, and 9 of diamonds.
- In this case, the player has two pairs, Queens and Nines.
4. Three of a Kind 10 Poker Hands
When you have three of a kind, it means you have three cards of the same rank. This hand is stronger than two pair and can often lead to big wins. If multiple players have three of a kind, the player with the highest set wins.
- Example: 8 of diamonds, 8 of hearts, and 8 of clubs.
- Three eights make this a three-of-a-kind hand.
5. Straight
A Straight is a hand where you have five consecutive cards of any suit. This hand beats three of a kind but is weaker than a flush. In the case of a tie between two straight hands, the one with the highest top card wins.
- Example: 4 of spades, 5 of diamonds, 6 of hearts, 7 of clubs, and 8 of spades.
- This is a straight, with the highest card being the 8.
6. Flush
A Flush occurs when all five cards are of the same suit, but they are not in sequence. This hand can beat a straight but loses to a full house. In the event of a tie, the player with the highest card in the flush wins.
- Example: Ace of hearts, Jack of hearts, 10 of hearts, 7 of hearts, and 3 of hearts.
- This is a flush, with the Ace being the highest card.
7. Full House
A Full House is a combination of three of a kind and a pair. It is a very strong hand and ranks above a flush. If two players have a full house, the player with the highest three-of-a-kind wins.
- Example: 9 of spades, 9 of diamonds, 9 of hearts, 5 of clubs, and 5 of spades.
- This hand contains three 9s and a pair of 5s.
8. Four of a Kind
Four of a Kind (also known as quads) consists of four cards of the same rank. It is a very powerful hand that beats a full house. In the case of a tie, the highest four of a kind wins.
- Example: 7 of hearts, 7 of spades, 7 of diamonds, and 7 of clubs.
- This is four of a kind with sevens.
9. Straight Flush
A Straight Flush is a hand where you have five consecutive cards all of the same suit. This hand is extremely rare and powerful. The highest straight flush is a royal flush (described next), which is unbeatable.
- Example: 4 of diamonds, 5 of diamonds, 6 of diamonds, 7 of diamonds, and 8 of diamonds.
- This is a straight flush, with the highest card being the 8.
10. Royal Flush
The Royal Flush is the highest and rarest hand in poker. It consists of the Ace, King, Queen, Jack, and 10, all of the same suit. A royal flush is unbeatable, and if two players somehow both have one (which is virtually impossible), the tie would be broken by the suit.
- Example: Ace of spades, King of spades, Queen of spades, Jack of spades, and 10 of spades.
- This is a royal flush, the highest hand in poker.
Conclusion: Mastering Poker Hands for Success
Understanding the 10 poker hands is essential for any player who wants to succeed in poker. From the humble High Card to the unbeatable Royal Flush, each hand has its place and importance in the game. Knowing the value of these hands will help you make better decisions at the table, whether you’re playing Texas Hold’em, Omaha, or any other variation of poker.
By mastering the rankings of poker hands, you’ll be able to play with confidence and make the best decisions possible during your games. Keep practicing, and soon you’ll be ready to take on players of all skill levels and become a true poker master! 🃏💪
