Know Your Hands
Memorizing poker hand rankings is the first step to becoming a winning player. Whether you play Texas Hold’em, Omaha, or any other variant, these rankings are universal. Here’s a simple guide to memorize them in under 5 minutes.
The 10 Poker Hand Rankings
1. Royal Flush — The Unbeatable Hand
A-K-Q-J-10 all of the same suit. The rarest and strongest hand in poker. You’ll see this hand roughly once every 30,000 hands.
2. Straight Flush
Five consecutive cards of the same suit (e.g., 5-6-7-8-9 of hearts). The second-strongest hand. Aces can be high or low (A-2-3-4-5 is the lowest straight flush).
3. Four of a Kind (Quads)
Four cards of the same rank (e.g., four Kings). If two players have quads, the higher rank wins. Very rare but not unbeatable.
4. Full House
Three of a kind plus a pair (e.g., K-K-K-7-7). Described as “Kings full of Sevens.” If two players have full houses, the higher three-of-a-kind wins.
5. Flush
Five cards of the same suit, not in sequence (e.g., A-J-8-4-2 of spades). If two players have flushes, the highest card wins.
6. Straight
Five consecutive cards of any suit (e.g., 4-5-6-7-8). Aces can be high (10-J-Q-K-A) or low (A-2-3-4-5), but not wrapping (Q-K-A-2-3 is not a straight).
7. Three of a Kind
Three cards of the same rank (e.g., J-J-J-5-2). Called “trips” if made with one hole card and two community cards, or a “set” if made with two hole cards and one community card.
8. Two Pair
Two different pairs (e.g., A-A-5-5-3). If two players have two pair, the higher pair wins. If those are equal, the second pair decides.
9. One Pair
Two cards of the same rank (e.g., Q-Q-8-5-2). The most common winning hand in low-stakes games. Higher pair wins ties.
10. High Card
No hand made — the highest single card wins. Ace is the highest card. This is the weakest possible hand.
Quick Memory Trick
Use this mnemonic to remember the order from strongest to weakest:
Royal Straight Flush Full Flush Straight Three Two One High
“Roy Straight Flush, Full Flush Straight, Three Two One High”
Tie-Breaking Rules
When two players have the same hand rank:
- The highest card in the hand decides
- If still tied, the next highest card (the “kicker”) decides
- If all cards match, the pot is split
Practice Makes Perfect
The fastest way to memorize hand rankings is to play. Sign up at a free-play poker room and practice identifying hands. Within a few hours, you’ll know them all by heart!