Winning Directory: Poker Hand Rankings

From: The Modern Grinder

For new players what combination of cards beats what can be confusing. Besides what is a flush or a straight anyway? For this reason I created this post so you'll you know what to do when you finally hit that full boat.

The following is the relative value of poker hands from best to worst.

Royal Flush - An ace high straight flush, the best hand in poker and very, very rare. You may never see this hand in a lifetime of poker and it will win 99.9% of the time.

Straight Flush - Consecutive cards of the same suit. The example hand below could only be beat by a higher straight flush. Chance of being dealt 0.03% of the time and wins 92% of the time

Four of a Kind - Four Card of the same rank. A very strong hand indeed now is the the time to go all-in. Chance of being dealt 0.17% of the time and wins 86% of the time

Full House - Three of a kind and a pair make a full house otherwise know and a a full boat. When two opponents both have full houses the one with the highest ranking three of a kind wins. Chance of being dealt 2.6% of the time and wins 53% of the time

Flush - Five cards of the the same suit. When two opponents both have flushes the one with the highest ranking high card wins. For example an ace high flush would beat the king high flush bellow. Chance of being dealt 3.03% of the time and wins 47% of the time

Straight - A hand in which your cards are in consecutive order but not of the same suit. Chance of being dealt 4.62% of the time and wins 33% of the time

Three of a Kind - Three cards of the same rank. Chance of being dealt 4.83% of the time and wins 34% of the time

Two Pair - Two sets of pairs. Chance of being dealt 23.5% of the time and wins 9% of the time

Pair - Two card of the same rank. Beware in community card games such as Texas Hold'em that a pair on the board could mean someone has made a full house. Proceed with caution. Chance of being dealt 44% of the time and wins 2% of the time

High Card - Is the highest rank card in your hand, in this case you have the highest possible high card but would lose to anyone holding a pair or better. Chance of being dealt 17.41% of the time and wins 0.01% of the time