Poker at a Glance: Quick Facts
Before diving deep, here’s a quick overview of the standard poker hand ranking system used in most popular games. This table provides the essential facts for any player in 2025.
| Concept | Details |
|---|---|
| Standard Poker Hand Rankings | A system that determines the strength of a five-card poker hand. |
| Number of Hand Categories | 10 (from Royal Flush down to High Card) |
| Highest Possible Hand | Royal Flush |
| Lowest Possible Hand | High Card |
| Basis of Rank | Statistical Rarity (The harder a hand is to make, the higher it ranks) |
| Most Common Game | Texas Hold’em (uses standard high-hand rankings) |
| Player vs. Player “House Edge” | The house takes a rake (a small percentage of the pot), typically 2.5% to 5%. This is not a traditional house edge against the player. |
The Ultimate Poker Hand Rankings Chart (Printable)
This is the most crucial part of any poker player’s toolkit. This clear, easy-to-read chart shows every poker hand in order from best to worst. We designed it to be perfect for printing or saving to your phone for a quick reference during your next game.
| Rank | Hand Name | Example | Description |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Royal Flush | A♠ K♠ Q♠ J♠ 10♠ | An Ace-high straight where all cards are the same suit. This is the best possible hand in poker. |
| 2 | Straight Flush | 9♥ 8♥ 7♥ 6♥ 5♥ | Any five cards in sequence that are all the same suit. |
| 3 | Four of a Kind | 7♠ 7♥ 7♦ 7♣ K♠ | Four cards of the same rank, plus one other card (the “kicker”). |
| 4 | Full House | J♦ J♠ J♣ 8♥ 8♣ | Three cards of one rank and two cards of another rank. Often called a “full boat”. |
| 5 | Flush | A♦ K♦ 9♦ 6♦ 2♦ | Any five cards of the same suit, but not in sequence. |
| 6 | Straight | 7♠ 6♥ 5♦ 4♣ 3♥ | Five cards in sequence, but of different suits. |
| 7 | Three of a Kind | Q♠ Q♥ Q♣ 4♠ 9♥ | Three cards of the same rank, plus two other unrelated cards. Also known as “trips” or a “set”. |
| 8 | Two Pair | K♠ K♥ 5♦ 5♣ J♣ | Two cards of one rank, two cards of another rank, and one kicker. |
| 9 | One Pair | A♥ A♣ 7♠ 4♦ 2♣ | Two cards of the same rank, plus three other unrelated cards. |
| 10 | High Card | K♠ J♥ 9♦ 5♣ 2♥ | No pair or better. The hand is valued by its single highest-ranking card. |
Poker Hand Rankings Explained: From Best to Worst
Understanding the name is one thing, but knowing the nuances of each hand is what separates beginners from experienced players. Here’s a detailed breakdown of each ranking.
1. Royal Flush
The undisputed king of all poker hands. A Royal Flush is an Ace-high Straight Flush (A, K, Q, J, 10) with all cards being the same suit. It is mathematically the rarest hand you can make and is completely unbeatable.
2. Straight Flush
A Straight Flush consists of five cards in numerical sequence, all of the same suit. For example, 8-7-6-5-4 all of spades. If two players have a Straight Flush, the one with the higher-ranking top card wins.
3. Four of a Kind (Quads)
This hand contains four cards of the same rank, such as four Kings. The fifth card is called the “kicker.” In a tie, the player with the higher Four of a Kind wins. If players share the same “quads” (possible on a community card board), the highest kicker wins.
4. Full House (A Full Boat)
A Full House is made of three cards of one rank and two cards of another. For example, three Queens and two 4s. When comparing Full Houses, the rank of the three-card set is most important. For example, Q-Q-Q-4-4 beats J-J-J-A-A.
5. Flush
A Flush is any five cards of the same suit, but not in a sequence. For example, A-J-8-5-2 all of clubs. When two players have a Flush, the winner is determined by the player with the highest single card within their flush.
6. Straight
A Straight is five cards in sequential order, but not of the same suit. For example, 9-8-7-6-5. The Ace is unique as it can be used for the highest straight (A-K-Q-J-10) or the lowest straight (A-2-3-4-5). A straight cannot “wrap around” (e.g., K-A-2-3-4 is not a straight).
7. Three of a Kind (Trips or a Set)
This hand contains three cards of the same rank, such as three 9s, with two other cards that do not create a Full House. A “set” is when you have a pair in your hand that matches one community card, while “trips” is when two community cards match one of your hole cards.
8. Two Pair
Two Pair consists of two cards of one rank, two cards of another different rank, and one kicker. For example, two Aces and two 7s. Ties are broken first by the higher pair, then the lower pair, and finally by the kicker.
9. One Pair
A very common hand, One Pair is simply two cards of the same rank, with three other unrelated cards. For example, two 10s. The kickers are extremely important in breaking ties between players who have the same pair.
10. High Card
If no player can make any of the hands above, the winner is the person with the highest single card. If the highest cards are tied, the next-highest card is compared, and so on, down the five cards in the hand.
Understanding the Odds: Poker Hand Probability
The poker hand rankings aren’t arbitrary; they are based on cold, hard math. A hand ranks higher because it is statistically more difficult to achieve. This table shows the probability of being dealt each hand from a standard 52-card deck.
| Hand | Combinations | Probability (%) | Odds Against |
|---|---|---|---|
| Royal Flush | 4 | 0.000154% | 649,739 : 1 |
| Straight Flush | 36 | 0.00139% | 72,192 : 1 |
| Four of a Kind | 624 | 0.0240% | 4,164 : 1 |
| Full House | 3,744 | 0.1441% | 693 : 1 |
| Flush | 5,108 | 0.1965% | 508 : 1 |
| Straight | 10,200 | 0.3925% | 254 : 1 |
| Three of a Kind | 54,912 | 2.1128% | 46 : 1 |
| Two Pair | 123,552 | 4.7539% | 20 : 1 |
| One Pair | 1,098,240 | 42.2569% | 1.36 : 1 |
| High Card | 1,302,540 | 50.1177% | 1 : 1 |
Note: Data sourced from standard poker probability calculations.
How Hand Rankings Work in Different Poker Games
While the standard rankings are universal, how you form your hand can change. Here’s how they apply to the most popular games.
Texas Hold’em Hand Rankings
This is the most common use case. In Texas Hold’em, each player receives two private “hole cards.” Five “community cards” are dealt face-up on the board. Each player’s goal is to make the best possible five-card hand using any combination of their two hole cards and the five community cards. The standard rankings above are used without modification.
Low Hand Rankings (for Lowball Games)
Some games, like Razz or 2-7 Triple Draw, use “lowball” rankings where the goal is to make the worst possible hand. The most common system is Ace-to-Five Low. In this format, the best possible hand is A-2-3-4-5 (the “wheel”). Straights and flushes do not count against you, and Aces are always low. The hand is read from the highest card down, so A-2-3-4-6 (a “Six-low”) would lose to A-2-3-4-5.
Hand Rankings with Wild Cards
When a wild card (like a Joker) is introduced, it can be used to represent any card needed to complete a hand. This introduces one new, top-tier hand: Five of a Kind. This hand, such as four Aces and a Joker, beats a Royal Flush.
Strategies & Tips to Remember the Rankings
Memorizing the order can be tough for new players. Here are a few actionable tips to help the rankings stick in your mind.
- Start with Pairs: First, learn the hands based on matching ranks. It’s a natural progression: No Pair (High Card), One Pair, Two Pair, Three of a Kind, Four of a Kind. This covers half the list.
- Remember the “Suit” Hands: Next, focus on hands that require suits. There are only two: the Flush and the Straight Flush. A key rule to burn into your memory is that a Flush always beats a Straight.
- Use a Mnemonic: Create a memorable phrase. A classic one is: Straight Flushes Four-Full-Flushing-Straight Three-Two-One. Find a phrase that works for you!
- Practice Makes Perfect: The best way to learn is by doing. Play free online poker games or use a practice app. Seeing the hands play out in real-time will solidify your knowledge faster than anything else.
- Print Our Cheat Sheet: Don’t be afraid to use a reference. Keep the printable chart from this guide handy during your games. Soon you won’t need it at all.
Common Mistakes When Reading Poker Hands
Every new player makes mistakes. Being aware of these common pitfalls will help you avoid costly errors at the table.
- Forgetting Kickers: This is the most common error. If you have A-J and your opponent has A-K, and the board has an Ace, your opponent wins because their King “kicker” is higher than your Jack.
- Ignoring the Best Five Cards: In Texas Hold’em, the best five-card hand wins, period. Sometimes the best possible hand is the five community cards on the board, in which case everyone still in the hand splits the pot. Don’t overvalue your hole cards if they don’t improve your hand beyond what’s on the board.
- Confusing Straights and Flushes: Many beginners think a straight is better than a flush. Remember: five cards of the same suit (Flush) beats five cards in a row (Straight).
- Misreading a Full House: When comparing two Full Houses, the three-of-a-kind part is what matters. A hand of 5-5-5-2-2 is better than 4-4-4-A-A.
Best Online Poker Sites for Beginners
When you’re ready to practice, choosing the right platform is key. Look for sites that offer features friendly to new players, such as free-to-play tables, low-stakes games, and helpful tutorials. Below is a comparison of what to look for in 2025.
| Poker Site | Welcome Bonus | Key Features for Beginners | Action |
|---|---|---|---|
| Reputable Poker Site A | Matched Deposit + Free Tickets | Excellent mobile app, large player pool, free-to-play tables. | Play Now |
| Trusted Poker Site B | No-Deposit Bonus + First Deposit Bonus | Beginner-only tables, simple interface, low-stakes cash games. | Play Now |
| Popular Poker Site C | Weekly Freerolls for New Players | Strong focus on tournaments, helpful strategy guides. | Play Now |
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
What are the 10 poker hand rankings in order?
The 10 standard poker hand rankings, from best to worst, are:
- Royal Flush
- Straight Flush
- Four of a Kind
- Full House
- Flush
- Straight
- Three of a Kind
- Two Pair
- One Pair
- High Card
Does a straight beat a flush?
No, a flush always beats a straight. The reason is simple probability: there are more ways to make a straight (10,200) than there are to make a flush (5,108), making the flush the rarer and therefore higher-ranking hand.
Is 3 of a kind better than 2 pair?
Yes, three of a kind is a better hand than two pair. Again, this comes down to statistics. You are more likely to make two pair than you are to make three of a kind.
What is a “kicker” in poker?
A “kicker” is an unpaired card in a hand that is used to break ties between hands of the same rank. For example, if Player 1 has A-K and Player 2 has A-Q, and the board is A-8-5-2-7, both players have a pair of Aces. However, Player 1 wins because their King kicker is higher than Player 2’s Queen kicker.
How many poker hand rankings are there?
There are 10 standard hand ranking categories used in most variants of poker like Texas Hold’em and Omaha. Some games with wild cards may add an 11th category (Five of a Kind).
Conclusion
Mastering poker hand rankings is the single most important first step on your journey to becoming a skilled and confident poker player. It’s the language of the game, and without fluency, you can’t build strategies or make winning decisions. Use this guide, download the printable chart, and practice what you’ve learned. The more you play, the more these rankings will become second nature. Good luck at the tables!
Responsible Gambling Reminder: Please remember that poker should be played for fun and entertainment. Never bet more than you can afford to lose. Set limits for yourself, and if you ever feel that your gambling is becoming a problem, please seek help from a professional organization.
