Poker Hand Rankings: What Beats What

The 10 Poker Hand Rankings

From best to worst, here are all possible poker hands:

1. Royal Flush

A-K-Q-J-10 of the same suit

The unbeatable hand. Probability: 1 in 649,740

2. Straight Flush

Five consecutive cards of the same suit

Example: 8♠-7♠-6♠-5♠-4♠

Probability: 1 in 72,193

3. Four of a Kind (Quads)

Four cards of the same rank

Example: K♠-K♥-K♦-K♣-7♠

Probability: 1 in 4,165

4. Full House (Boat)

Three of a kind plus a pair

Example: Q♠-Q♥-Q♦-8♠-8♣

Probability: 1 in 694

5. Flush

Five cards of the same suit (not consecutive)

Example: A♥-J♥-8♥-4♥-2♥

Probability: 1 in 508

6. Straight

Five consecutive cards (not all same suit)

Example: 10♠-9♥-8♦-7♣-6♠

Probability: 1 in 254

7. Three of a Kind (Trips/Set)

Three cards of the same rank

Example: 7♠-7♥-7♦-K♠-3♣

Probability: 1 in 47

8. Two Pair

Two different pairs

Example: J♠-J♥-4♦-4♣-A♠

Probability: 1 in 21

9. One Pair

Two cards of the same rank

Example: A♠-A♥-K♦-7♣-2♠

Probability: 1 in 2.4

10. High Card

No made hand — highest card plays

Example: A♠-J♥-8♦-4♣-2♠ (Ace-high)

Probability: 1 in 2

Kicker Rules

When players have the same hand type, kickers determine the winner:

Example:

• Player A: A♠-A♥-K♦-7♣-2♠ (Pair of Aces, King kicker)
• Player B: A♦-A♣-Q♠-J♥-8♦ (Pair of Aces, Queen kicker)

Player A wins because King beats Queen as the kicker.

Common Confusions

Flush vs. Straight

A flush beats a straight. Memory trick: “F” comes before “S” in hand rankings (the opposite of the alphabet).

Two Pair vs. Three of a Kind

Three of a kind beats two pair. Three 7s beat Aces and Kings.

Full House vs. Flush

A full house beats a flush. The boat sinks the fish (flush).

Quick Reference Table