How many Poker Hands are there? There are only 10 distinct poker hand ranks, but if you randomly deal 5 cards from a deck of 52 cards there are exactly 2,598,960 possible card combinations. Poker Hand Odds for 5-Card-Poker. The poker hand ranking charts are based on the probability for each distinct hand rank.

A No-Nonsense Guide to Poker Hands

In poker, players construct hands of five cards according to predetermined rules, which vary according to the precise variant of poker being played. These hands are compared using a standard ranking system, and the player with the highest-ranking hand wins that particular deal. Although used primarily in poker, these hand rankings are also used in other card games, and with poker dice. This poker hand is made up of four cards of the same value and a random fifth card to complete the set. In case there’s a tie, the fifth kicker card is used to determine a winner. If the fifth card on the table is higher than the highest kicker card any active player is holding, however, the pot is split evenly among all tied players. Next in the poker hands list is a straight, consisting of a run of five cards of consecutive values, such as 4-5-6-7-8. Aces count as high or low, so you can make a 10-J-Q-K-A straight, the highest, or an A-2-3-4-5 straight, which is the lowest and sometimes called a “wheel”.

A Quick Note

We won’t bore you with a long intro today. After all, this is a no-nonsense guide, so why don’t we get right to it:

Please note the following card references:

(h) Hearts (d) Diamonds (c) Clubs (s) Spades

1. Royal Flush

At the top of the pile is a set of five suited consecutive cards with an ace as its highest card. No other hand can beat it, and if two or more active players have it, the pot is split evenly among them. Example: As Ks Qs Js 10s

2. Straight Flush

It’s practically the same as a royal flush but it uses a king or lower as its highest card.

If two or more active players have it, the player with the highest high card wins. The pot gets split evenly between players with the same highest cards. Example: Qc Jc 10c 9c 8c

3. Four of a Kind

This poker hand is made up of four cards of the same value and a random fifth card to complete the set.

In case there’s a tie, the fifth kicker card is used to determine a winner. If the fifth card on the table is higher than the highest kicker card any active player is holding, however, the pot is split evenly among all tied players. Example: 2d 2h 2s 2c Kh

4. Full House

This hand consists of a set of three cards of the same value (also known as a trip) and another set of two cards of the same value (also known as a pair).

If there’s a tie, the trips are compared. If the trips are of the same value, then the pairs are compared. If they’re still tied, then the pot is split evenly among all tied players. Example: 7h 7s 7c 3d 3h

5. Flush

This hand is made up of any five suited cards.

To break ties, the highest high card of each player gets compared. If they’re the same, then the second highest card is checked. The process continues until either one player comes out on top or the pot gets split evenly among players holding flushes of the exact same value. Example: Qd 10d 7d 4d 2d

6. Straight

Five non-suited consecutive cards make up this hand.

Ties, in this case, are broken just like you would with flushes. Example: Jd 10c 9s 8h 7d

7. Three of a Kind

This hand is simply a trip plus two random cards.

In the event of a tie, the trip with the highest value wins. A fourth or fifth kicker card is used to determine a winner in case the trips are of the same value. Example: 5d 5h 5c Kd 9s

8. Two Pair

As the name implies, this hand is just a pair of pairs plus a random fifth card to complete the set.

The high pair is compared in case of a tie. If they’re of the same value, then the low pair is checked. If they’re still tied, then the fifth kicker card is used to determine a winner. Example: Kd Kh 7d 7s 3c

9. Pair

As you may have guessed, this hand only has one pair instead of two so it comes with three other random cards to complete the set.

Ties are broken by first comparing the pair and then moving on to the next three kicker cards in case the pairs are of the same value. Example: 9s 9c 6d 4s 2h

10. High Card

This hand is just five random cards.

Poker High Hands List

Ties are broken in pretty much the same way as with flushes and straights. Example: 9h 6c 5s 3d 2d

Knowing This Poker Hand List is Only the Beginning

Poker High Hands List

These poker hand rankings are fixed for most standard five-card poker games like Texas Holdem. Interestingly, though, having a strong poker hand (except for a royal flush) doesn’t necessarily guarantee that you’ll win. Professional players employ a host of strategies throughout the different stages of the game to outsmart and even force their opponents to fold prematurely. They also have the ability to gauge whether or not their starting hands could later on translate to winning poker hands based on how their opponents are acting and what cards are being revealed on the table.

Of course, all of these things come with experience. Professional players have achieved pro status by playing hundreds of games and doing hours of research, always trying to learn new things, improve their skills and just develop an overall better understanding of the game.

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