If you’re looking to play poker, one of the most important things to know is what poker hand beats what. In this article, we’ll take a look at the different types of poker hands and how they rank in terms of strength.
First off, let’s start with the lowest ranking hand: the high card. This is when you have no pairs and your hand is simply made up of high-ranking cards. If two players have a high card hand, the winner is determined by who has the highest card.
Next up we have a pair. This is when you have two cards of the same rank in your hand.
If two players have a pair, the player with the highest-ranking pair wins. If both players have the same pair, then it comes down to who has the highest ranking kicker (the next highest card in their hand).
Moving up in rank we have two pairs. This is when you have two sets of pairs in your hand. If two players have two pairs, then it comes down to who has the highest ranking pair or if both players have identical pairs then it comes down to who has the higher ranking kicker.
After that, we have three-of-a-kind or trips as it’s commonly referred to as. This is when you have three cards that are all of the same rank in your hand. If two players both have three-of-a-kind, then again it comes down to who has the higher ranking set or kicker.
The next type of hand that beats these above mentioned hands is a straight – five consecutive cards that are not all of the same suit (e.g., 4-5-6-7-8). In case there are more than one straight on table then one with higher top card wins and in case there are straights with same top card then pot gets divided equally among them.
A flush beats a straight and is made up of any five cards that are all of the same suit (e., five clubs). If multiple players have a flush then the winner is determined by who has the highest-ranking card in their flush.
Next up, we have a full house which is when you have three-of-a-kind along with a pair in your hand. If two players both have a full house, then it comes down to who has the higher ranking set or pair.
Four-of-a-kind or quads are when you have all four cards of the same rank in your hand. If two players both have four-of-a-kind, then again it comes down to who has the higher ranking set.
A straight flush beats all of the above hands and is when you have any five cards that are all of the same suit and in consecutive order (e., 9-10-J-Q-K of spades). If multiple players have a straight flush, then again it comes down to who has the highest-ranking card in their straight flush.
Lastly, we have the royal flush – which is unbeatable! This is when you have a 10, jack, queen, king and ace all of the same suit. If two players both have a royal flush (which is highly unlikely), then they would split the pot as it’s impossible for one player to beat another with this hand.
In conclusion, understanding what poker hand beats what is essential knowledge for anyone wanting to play poker. While luck does play a big role in poker, knowing what hands are stronger than others can give you an edge at the table. Remember to always pay attention to your opponents’ hands and play smart!
