Poker

Poker Hand Ranking

In poker, players construct hands of five cards according to predetermined rules, which vary according to which variant of poker is being played. These hands are compared using a hand ranking system that is standard across all variants of poker; the player with the highest-ranking hand winning that particular deal in most variants of poker. In some variants the lowest-ranking hand can win or tie.

Straight flush
A straight flush is a hand that contains five cards in sequence, all of the same suit. Two such hands are compared by their card that is ranked highest. Because suits have no relative value, two otherwise identical straight flushes tie. Aces can play low in straights and straight flushes. An ace-high straight flush is known as a royal flush, and is the highest ranking standard poker hand.

Four of a kind
Four of a kind, also known as quads, is a poker hand which contains four cards of one rank, and an unmatched card of another rank. Quads with higher ranking cards defeat lower ranking ones. In community-card games (such as Texas Hold 'em) or games with wildcards it is possible for two or more players to obtain the same quad; in this instance, the unmatched card acts as a kicker. If two hands have the same kicker, they tie and the pot is split.

Full house
A full house, also known as a full boat, is a hand which contains three matching cards of one rank, and two matching cards of another rank. Between two full houses, the one with the higher ranking three cards wins. If two hands have the same three cards (possible in wild card and community card games), the hand with the higher pair wins. Full houses are described as "Three full of Pair" or occasionally "Three over Pair".

Flush
A flush is a poker hand which contains five cards of the same suit, not in rank sequence. Two flushes are compared as if they were high card hands; the highest ranking card of each is compared to determine the winner. If both hands have the same highest card, then the second-highest ranking card is compared, and so on until a difference is found. If the two flushes contain the same five ranks of cards, they are tied and split the pot, that is, suits are not used to rank them.

Straight
A straight is a poker hand which contains five cards of sequential rank but in more than one suit. Two straights are ranked by comparing the highest card of each. Two straights with the same high card are of equal value, suits are not used to separate them. The ace may be played as a high card or a low card in a five-high straight, which is colloquially known as a wheel. The ace may not "wrap around", or play both high and low in the same hand.

Three of a kind
Three of a kind, also called trips or a set, is a poker hand which contains three cards of the same rank, plus two unmatched cards. In Texas hold 'em and other flop games, three of a kind is called a "set" only when it is composed of a pocket pair and one card of matching rank on the board (as opposed to two matching cards on the board and a third in the player's hand). Higher-valued three of a kind defeat lower-valued three of a kind. If two hands contain three of a kind of the same value, which is possible in games with wild cards or community cards, the kickers are compared to break the tie.

Two pair
A poker hand which contains two cards of the same rank, plus two cards of another rank (that match each other but not the first pair), plus one unmatched card, is called two pair. To rank two hands both containing two pair, the higher ranking pair of each is first compared, and the higher pair wins. If both hands have the same top pair, then the second pair of each is compared. Finally, if both hands have the same two pairs, the kicker determines the winner.

One pair
One pair is a poker hand which contains two cards of the same rank, plus three other unmatched cards. Higher ranking pairs defeat lower ranking pairs; if two hands have the same pair, the non-paired cards (the kickers) are compared in descending order to determine the winner.

High card
A high-card or no-pair hand is a poker hand in which no two cards have the same rank, the five cards are not in sequence, and the five cards are not all the same suit. Nevertheless, they sometimes win a pot if the other players fold or even at a showdown. Two high-card hands are ranked by comparing the highest ranking card. If those are equal, then the next highest ranking card from each hand is compared, and so on until a difference is found.


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