If you are a fan of poker games, you might be aware of what poker hands are. But, if you are unfamiliar with them, continue reading this article on poker hand rankings to find out more and discover what beats what in poker.
A poker game is a popular casino card game playable with a standard deck of 52 cards. The game is played around a table, where each player is dealt five cards, and then the players bet on the strength of their hands.
The aim of poker is to win the pot, which is the sum of all the bets made by the players during the hand. There are several variations of poker, but one of the most popular card games and widely played include Texas Hold 'em, Omaha, Seven Card Stud, Chinese Poker, 5-Card Draw, and many more.
Royal Flush
A Royal Flush is the strongest poker hand and is made up of an Ace, King, Queen, Jack, and 10 of the same suit. It is the rarest hand and can only be beaten by another Royal Flush.
What Does a Royal Flush Beat?
A Royal Flush beats every other hand in poker, including a Straight Flush, Four of a Kind, Full House, Flush, Straight, Three of a Kind, Two Pair, One Pair, and High Card.
Straight Flush
A Straight Flush is the second strongest hand in poker and comprises five consecutive cards of the same suit. For example, a hand of 7, 8, 9, 10, and Jack of Hearts would be a Straight Flush.
What Does a Straight Flush Beat?
A Straight Flush beats every hand in poker except for a Royal Flush. It beats hands such as Four of a Kind, Full House, Flush, Straight, Three of a Kind, Two Pair, One Pair, and High Card.
Four of a Kind
Four of a Kind is the third strongest hand in poker and consists of four cards of the same rank, such as four Aces.
What Does Four of a Kind Beat?
Four of a Kind beats hands such as a Full House, Flush, Straight, Three of a Kind, Two Pair, One Pair, and High Card. However, it loses to a Royal Flush and a Straight Flush.
Full House
Full House is made up of three cards of the same rank, such as three Aces, and two cards of another rank, such as two Kings.
Does a Full House Beat a Straight?
A Full House beats a Straight and any other hand that is lower in strength, such as a Flush, Three of a Kind, Two Pair, One Pair, and High Card.
Flush
A Flush is made up of five cards of the same suit, such as five Diamonds. It does not matter if the cards are in consecutive order.
Does a Flush Beat a Full House?
No, a Flush does not beat a Full House. Instead, it beats any hand lower than it in strength, such as a Straight, Three of a Kind, Two Pair, One Pair, and High Card.
Straight
A Straight is made up of five consecutive cards of any suit, such as a 5, 6, 7, 8, and 9 of different suits.
What Does a Straight Beat?
Straight beats any hand lower in strength than it, such as a Three of a Kind, Two Pair, One Pair, and High Card. It loses to hands that are higher in strength, such as a Flush, Straight Flush, Four of a Kind, Full House, and Royal Flush.
Three of a Kind
Three of a Kind is made up of three cards of the same rank, such as three Queens. It is a strong hand, but not as strong as a Four of a Kind or a Full House.
What Does Three of a Kind Beat?
Three of a Kind beats hands such as Two Pair, One Pair, and High Card. However, it loses to hands that are higher in strength, such as a Flush, Straight, Straight Flush, Four of a Kind, Full House, and a Royal Flush.
Two Pair
Two Pair is made up of two cards of one rank and two cards of another rank, such as two Aces and two Kings.
What Does Two Pair Beat?
Two Pair beats hands such as One Pair and High Card. However, it loses to hands that are higher in strength, such as a Flush, Straight, Three of a Kind, Straight Flush, Four of a Kind, Full House, and a Royal Flush.
One Pair
One Pair is made up of two cards of the same rank, such as two Kings. It is the weakest hand that still qualifies as a pair.
What Does One Pair Beat?
One Pair beats only the High Card. It loses to hands that are higher in strength, such as a Flush, Straight, Three of a Kind, Two Pair, Straight Flush, Four of a Kind, Full House, and Royal Flush.
High Card
The High Card is the lowest hand and is made up of five cards that do not form any of the other hand types. For example, an Ace, King, 8, 5, and 3 of different suits would be a high card.
What Does a High Card Beat?
A High Card beats no other hand in poker, as it is the lowest hand possible. It loses to every other hand, including One Pair, Two Pair, Three of a Kind, Straight, Flush, Full House, Four of a Kind, Straight Flush, and Royal Flush. It can only beat another High Card hand as long as your highest card is higher than your opponent's highest.
One way to not forget the strength of different poker hands is to remember a few mnemonics, for example, "Royal Flush, Straight flush, Four, Boat, Flush, Straight, Three, Two, One, High".
The Bottom Line
It's worth noting that no poker hand ranking is guaranteed to be pulled or won every time, even if it is the strongest hand.
Additionally, a poker game involves a lot of strategy and skill while also being a casino game of chance. So, knowing what beats what in poker is just one element of playing.