Poker hand ranking from highest to lowest
- Royal flush: Ace, King, Queen, Jack, and Ten all in the same suit.
- In the event of a tie: the pot is split.
- Example: 10♠ J♠ Q♠ K♠ A♠
- Straight flush: Five cards in sequential order all in the same suit. Note: the Ace can be used at the top or bottom of the sequence. An Ace-high straight flush (ace is used at the top of the sequence) is called a royal flush (see above).
- In the event of a tie: the hand with the highest card at the top of the sequence wins, e.g. a Queen-high straight flush beats a Five-high straight flush.
- Example: 8♥ 9♥ 10♥ J♥ Q♥ beats A♣ 2♣ 3♣ 4♣ 5♣
- Four of a kind: Four cards of the same rank.
- In the event of a tie: The hand with the highest four of a kind wins, e.g. four aces beats four kings. If players have the same four of a kind, the hand with the highest fifth card (the “side card” or “kicker”) wins.
- Example: A♠ A♥ A♣ A♦ 2♣ beats K♠ K♥ K♣ K♦ 8♥
- Full house: Three cards of one rank and two cards of another rank.
- In the event of a tie: The hand with the highest three of a kind wins, e.g. three aces and two jacks beats three kings and two queens. If the same three of a kind is present, the hand with the highest pair wins, e.g. three aces and two queens beats three aces and two jacks.
- Example: A♠ A♥ A♣ J♥ J♠ beats K♥ K♣ K♦ Q♦ Q♥
- Flush: Five cards all of the same suit that does not comprise a straight flush.
- In the event of a tie: The hand with the highest card wins, e.g. an ace-high flush beats a king-high flush. If need be, the hand with the second-highest, third-highest, fourth-highest, and fifth-highest can be used to break the tie. If all five cards have the same rank, the pot is split. Suit does not matter.
- Example: A♠ J♠ 8♠ 4♠ 2♠ beats K♥ Q♥ 7♥ 6♥ 2♥
- Straight: Five cards in sequential order. Note: the Ace can be used at the top or bottom of the sequence (just like in the case of a straight flush).
- In the event of a tie: the hand with the highest card at the top of the sequence wins, e.g. an Ace-high straight beats a Five-high straight.
- Example: 10♠ J♥ Q♠ K♦ A♠ beats A♣ 2♦ 3♠ 4♥ 5♣
- Three of a kind: Also known as “trips” or a “set,” a three of a kind is three cards of the same rank.
- In the event of a tie: The hand with the highest three of a kind wins, e.g. three kings beats three jacks. If the same three of a kind is present, the hand with the highest fourth-card wins. If need be, the hand with the highest fifth card can be used to break the tie. If all five cards are of the same rank, the pot is split.
- Example: K♠ K♥ K♠ 8♦ 3♠ beats J♣ J♦ J♠ 4♥ 2♣
- Two pair: One pair of cards with the same rank, and a different matching rank pair.
- In the event of a tie: The hand with the highest pair wins. If the same two pairs are present, the hand with the highest fifth card (the “side card” or “kicker”) wins. If all five cards are of the same rank, the pot is split.
- Example: A♠ A♥ 4♠ 4♦ 3♠ beats J♣ J♦ 8♠ 8♥ 7♣
- Pair: Two cards of the same rank.
- In the event of a tie: The hand with the highest pair wins, e.g. two aces beats two eights. If need be, the third-highest card, the fourth-highest card, and the fifth-highest card can be used to break the tie. If all five cards are of the same rank, the pot is split.
- Example: A♠ A♥ 7♠ 4♦ 3♠ beats 8♣ 8♦ 7♣ 6♥ 5♣
- High card: Any hand not listed above.
- In the event of a tie: The hand with the highest card wins, e.g. ace-high beats jack-high. If need be, the third-highest card, the fourth-highest card, and the fifth-highest card can be used to break the tie. If all five cards are of the same rank, the pot is split.
- Example: A♠ 9♥ 7♠ 5♦ 3♠ beats J♣ 9♦ 8♠ 4♥ 2♣
