When it comes to playing poker, one of the most important things you need to know is the ranking of hands. Knowing which hand beats which is crucial in determining your chances of winning and making smart decisions at the table.
One hand that often gets a lot of attention is 4 of a kind. This hand involves getting four cards of the same rank, such as four Aces or four Kings.
But is 4 of a kind really the best hand in poker Let’s take a closer look.
The Ranking of Hands
Before we dive into whether or not 4 of a kind is the best hand in poker, let’s first review the ranking of hands from highest to lowest:
- Royal Flush
- Straight Flush
- Four of a Kind
- Full House
- Flush
- Straight
- Three of a Kind
- Two Pair
- One Pair
- High Card (or No Pair)
This list shows that there are several hands that can beat 4 of a kind, including Royal Flush and Straight Flush. However, there are also several hands that 4 of a kind beats, such as Full House and Flush.
The Odds of Getting 4 of a Kind
In order to determine whether or not 4 of a kind is truly the best hand in poker, we also need to look at the odds of actually getting this hand. The odds depend on several factors, including how many decks are being used and how many players are at the table.
In general, though, the odds of getting 4 of a kind are relatively low. According to some sources, the odds of getting this hand are around 1 in 4,164. This means that getting 4 of a kind is a rare occurrence, but not impossible.
When is 4 of a Kind the Best Hand
So, when is 4 of a kind the best hand in poker The answer to this question largely depends on what other hands your opponents have and how much they are betting.
If you have 4 of a kind and your opponent has a lower-ranked hand, such as Two Pairs or Three of a Kind, then your hand will almost certainly win. However, if your opponent has a higher-ranked hand such as Straight Flush or Royal Flush, then your 4 of a kind will not be enough to win.
In addition to considering the other hands at the table, it’s also important to pay attention to how much your opponents are betting. If someone is betting aggressively and you suspect they have a better hand than you do, it might be wise to fold even if you have 4 of a kind.
The Bottom Line
So, is 4 of a kind the best hand in poker The answer is..it depends.
While this hand can beat several other hands on the list, it can also be beaten by several others as well.
The key takeaway here is that knowing the ranking of hands and understanding when your hand is strong versus weak relative to other players’ hands is crucial in making good decisions at the poker table.
