Knowing which hand beats which is the very first thing in poker: without it you can't decide anything. Here's the complete hierarchy, from strongest to weakest.
From best to worst
- •Straight flush — five cards in a row, all the same suit (e.g. 8-9-10-J-Q of spades). The best.
- •Four of a kind — four cards of the same value (A-A-A-A).
- •Full house — three of a kind + a pair (J-J-J-4-4).
- •Flush — five cards of the same suit, in no order.
- •Straight — five values in a row, mixed suits (5-6-7-8-9).
- •Three of a kind — three cards of the same value (Q-Q-Q).
- •Two pair — two pairs (K-K-7-7).
- •Pair — two cards of the same value (8-8).
- •High card — you make nothing; your highest card counts. The weakest.
A♥
K♥
Q♥
J♥
T♥
💡 The most common beginner mistake: confusing a straight (consecutive numbers) with a flush (same suit). A flush beats a straight.
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