Poker Hand Rankings

Many a home game argument has come about over which hand beats which, and overall poker hand rankings in general. It’s remarkable how many people are willing to risk their money in a game without even really knowing the official poker rules. That’s why the home game is so lucrative for some, I guess. If you’re going to buy a nice set of clay poker chips, you’d better at least know the rank of poker hands. Here’s a quick study.

Poker Hands Rankings

#1 - Royal Flush - A♠ K♠ Q♠ J♠ 10♠ or any other single suit
#2 - Straight Flush - K♠ Q♠ J♠ 10♠ 9♠ - Any suited straight, all one suit
#3 - Four of a Kind - A♠ A♣ A♥ A♦ K♠ - Kicker determines ties
#4 - Full House - A♠ A♣ A♥ K♦ K♠ - 3 of a kind calls winner (Aces full of Kings)
#5 - Flush - A♠ J♠ 8♠ 7♠ 3♠ - Highest card determines winner
#6 - Straight - K♠ Q♦ J♣ 10♥ 9♠ - Highest card determines winner
#7 - Three of a Kind - A♠ A♣ A♥ K♦ Q♠ - Highest kicker breaks ties
#8 - Two Pair - A♠ A♣ K♥ K♦ Q♠ - Highest single pair determines winner
#9 - Pair - A♠ A♣ J♥ K♦ Q♠ - Highest kicker breaks ties
#10 - High Card - A♠ 8♣ J♥ K♦ Q♠ - Next highest card breaks ties

Other Considerations: No suit ranks higher than any other suit in traditional poker. In community games, it is common for two hands to get the same hand, even big hands. In that event, determine the winner by the rules above. In the event that two players in a community game have the exact same hand, kickers and all, split the pot.