Texas Holdem Hand Rankings
If there is one thing that is consistent
throughout all the different variants of Poker it is the ranking of the
hands (the beset combination of five cards you can make at the end of the
hand). The value of a hand of poker is given a ranking according to the
probability of that particular combination of cards being dealt. A hand
of a higher rank will always beat a hand of lower rank. Starting with the
lowest through to the highest the ranking order is as follows:
High Card: A hand consisting of
five unrelated cards. Such a hand is often called a "___ high" where ___
stands for the highest card. Example: 2♣ 6♠ 7?♥ 9♥ Q♠. This would be called
Queen High.
One Pair: A hand containing a pair
of the same valued card. Example: K♠ K♦ 10♣ 7♣ 3♥.
Two Pair: A pair of cards of the
same value with another pair of the same value. Example: 9♣ 9♥ J♦ 7♠ 7♥.
Three of a Kind: A hand including
three cards of the same value. Example: 2♠ 2♣ 2♥ Q♠ 8♣.
Straight: Where the values of all
five cards in the hand run in sequence regardless of suit. Example: 8♦
7♠ 6♠ 5♥ 4♦.
Flush: Where all five cards in the
hand are of the same suit regardless of value. Example: A♦ J♦ 5♦ 3♦ 2♦.
Full House: A hand with three cards
of one value and two cards of another value. Example: K♠ K♥ K♦ 7♥ 7♦.
Four of a Kind: A hand including
four cards of the same value. Example: A♠ A♣ A♥ A♦ 6♠.
Straight Flush: Where the values
of all five cards run in sequence and are all of the same suit. Example:
J♥ 10♥ 9♥ 8♥ 7♥.
Royal Flush: A Royal Flush isn't
a really an individual ranking. Rather it is the best possible Straight
Flush, an ace through to a ten of the same suit. Example: A♠ K♠ Q♠ J♠ 10♠.
In poker variants where wild cards
are used (a card to which the player can assign whatever value he likes)
a Five of a Kind is possible and is the highest ranking hand in games where
it is possible.
In situations where two players have
the same ranking hand, if they both have a pair for instance, then it is
the value of the ranking cards decides who wins. For example if both players
have a pair then the highest pair wins. If each player has a pair of the
same value, if they both have a pair of fours, then the hand with the highest
non-ranking card wins. For example a 4♠ 4♦ A♣ 3♦ 2♦ beats a 4♣ 4♥ K♣ Q♠
J♦ The non-ranking cards are often called 'kickers'. If both players have
the same hand in value then the pot is split between the players. The suit
of the cards makes no difference to its value. The cards' suits are not
at all relevant except in determining a flush or straight flush.
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Article Source:
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