What Beats What In Poker?

I know many of us seasoned poker pros, would laugh at such a question, but there are many newbies who are just starting to get into poker who may not be sure.  There are also some folks who haven't played in a while and may be a little bit rusty can could use a refresher course.

So here is what beats what in poker, going from the worst hand to the best hand:

1) High Card -  This essentially means you have nothing in your hand.  No pairs, no straights, no flushes.  Absolutely nothing.  When this happens you only have a high card.  So for instance, if you had this in your hand:

3♠-6♥-8♣-10♣-A♥

You would have an Ace High.

2) One Pair - This is just essentially when you have 2 cards that match number or face cards. For example if you had the hand:

5♠-6♥-3♠-3♦-K♥

You would have a pair of 3s.  Obviously, the higher the pair, the better the hand.

3) Two Pair - This time instead of having 2 cards that match one time, you have two different sets that match.  For example:

K♠-J♥-J♠-8♥-8♠ 

In this case, you would have 2 pairs: Jacks & Eights

4) Three of a Kind - This just means when three of the same number or face card.  For example:

7♠-9♠-4♥-4♠-4♦

In this instance, you would three of a kind in 4s

5) Straight - Essentially when you have numbers and/or face cards moving in succession, but not the same suit. For example,

7♠-8♠-9♥-10♠-J♠

Notice how each number is followed by the next.

6) Flush - All 5 cards are in the same suit.  It doesn't matter what order they are in. For example:

4♥-Q♥-8♥-J♥-A♥

So, in this case, you would have a flush with all hearts.

7)  Full House - Essentially, it's three of a kind followed by pair. For example:

5♥-5♠-5♦-J♥-J♠

In this case, full house, 5s over Jacks.  If someone else in the game has a full house, whoever has the higher three of a kind wins the hand.

8) Four of A Kind -  Whenever you have four of the same numbers in a hand.  For example:

9♥-9♠-9♦-9♣-J♥

So, in this case, you would have Four 9s.

9) Straight Flush -  This is when you have five cards in consecutive order, with the same suit. For example:

6♣-7♣-8♣-9♣-10♣

For this example, you have the numbers 6-10 in order as well as them having the same suit, clubs.

10) Royal Flush - This is when the five cards are consecutive from the 10 to the Ace, and they are the same suit. For example:

10♦-J♦-Q♦-K♦-A♦

This is the granddaddy of them all.  The hand is unbeatable. 

You can learn more about poker, especially online poker, by reading Online Poker Advantage.

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