Poker hand rankings and ties
Updated · Free Poker USA
Pairs, stronger combinations and ties.
About 4 minutes · One knowledge checkCompare the combination first.
A pair beats a hand with no pair, even if that other hand has an ace. Three of a kind beats two pair.
A flush beats a straight. Start with the type of hand, then compare card ranks if the types match.
Then compare the ranks.
A pair of kings beats a pair of queens. If both players have the same pair, compare their highest remaining card, then the next if needed.
These extra cards are called kickers. Only cards in the best five count.
Exactly equal hands share the pot.
If the best five-card hands have identical ranks, the players tie. Suits never break that tie.
A shared pot is called a split pot. The app handles the chip split, including any leftover odd chip.
Keep the ranking ladder handy.
The list below runs from strongest to weakest. You do not need to memorize all ten before playing. Open it whenever you need a reminder.
Open the illustrated hand-ranking ladder
1. Royal flush
Ten to ace, all in the same suit.
2. Straight flush
Five consecutive cards of one suit.
3. Four of a kind
Four matching ranks, plus a kicker.
4. Full house
Three matching ranks and a pair.
5. Flush
Five of one suit, not in sequence.
6. Straight
Five consecutive ranks, mixed suits.
7. Three of a kind
Three matching ranks, plus two kickers.
8. Two pair
Two separate pairs, plus a kicker.
9. One pair
Two matching ranks, plus three kickers.
10. High card
No made combination. Highest cards count.
Rules reference: PokerStars Learn: Texas Hold’em rules. Examples here use play chips only.
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