Poker is a popular card game that has been around for centuries. It is a game of skill, strategy, and luck that can be played by people of all ages.
One of the most important aspects of playing poker is knowing what poker hands are and how to identify them. In this article, we will be discussing what poker hands are and how they are ranked.
Firstly, it is important to understand that there are different variants of poker games such as Texas Hold’em, Omaha, Seven Card Stud and many others. The ranking of hands may differ slightly from variant to variant but the basic principles remain the same.
In any poker game, a player’s hand consists of five cards. The strength of a player’s hand is determined by its rank. The highest ranked hand wins the pot (the total amount bet in a single game).
Let us now look at the different types of poker hands:
1) High Card – This is the lowest-ranked hand in poker. It consists of five cards with no pairs or combinations. In case no player has any combination listed below, then high card comes into play.
2) One Pair – This hand consists of two cards with the same rank and three other cards which do not match that rank.
3) Two Pair – This hand consists of two sets of pairs with one odd card.
4) Three-of-a-kind – This hand comprises three cards with the same rank along with two other unmatched cards.
5) Straight – This hand has five cards in sequence irrespective of their suit.
6) Flush – This hand consists of any five cards having the same suit but not necessarily in sequence.
7) Full House – This hand is a combination of three-of-a-kind and one pair where three cards have the same rank while two other matching cards have another rank.
8) Four-of-a-kind – As per its name suggests this hand comprises four matching ranked cards alongside one unmatched card.
9) Straight Flush – This hand is a combination of straight and flush, in which all the five cards are in sequence and have the same suit.
10) Royal Flush – This is the highest-ranked hand in poker. It consists of Ace, King, Queen, Jack and 10 of the same suit.
It is important to note that if two or more players have the same hand ranking, then the player with the highest cards wins. In case of a tie where two players have identical hands, then the pot is split equally amongst them.
To summarize, knowing about poker hands is essential for any player who wants to take their game to the next level. By understanding how each hand ranks and what it consists of, players can make better decisions when playing poker. With practice and experience, one can learn to identify different types of poker hands quickly.
