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Poker is a game of strategy, psychology, and, of course, skill. One of the fundamental aspects of becoming a successful poker player is understanding hand rankings and knowing which starting hands give you the best chance of winning. This knowledge is particularly crucial in Texas Hold’em, the most popular version of the game, where the goal is to create the best five-card hand from the two hole cards dealt to each player and the five community cards shared by all players.
In this article, we will take an in-depth look at the rankings of poker hands, their respective strengths, and how you can use this knowledge to make better decisions during a game of Texas Hold’em. Additionally, we will review the top starting hands you should play, and answer some frequently asked questions about poker hand rankings to further solidify your understanding of the game.
Poker Hand Rankings: The Order of Hands from Best to Worst
Poker hands are ranked based on the combination of cards you hold, from the strongest (Royal Flush) to the weakest (High Card). Knowing how to rank hands is essential for any poker player, as it helps you evaluate the strength of your hand compared to others.
Here is the official order of poker hands, ranked from the best to the worst:
1. Royal Flush (A♠ K♠ Q♠ J♠ 10♠)
The best possible hand in poker, the Royal Flush consists of the Ace, King, Queen, Jack, and Ten, all of the same suit. It is an extremely rare hand and unbeatable by any other combination.
2. Straight Flush (9♠ 8♠ 7♠ 6♠ 5♠)
A Straight Flush is five consecutive cards of the same suit, but not necessarily in a sequence that makes a Royal Flush. It’s a rare hand, but less so than the Royal Flush.
3. Four-of-a-Kind (J♦ J♣ J♠ J♥ K♦)
Four-of-a-Kind, also known as “quads,” consists of four cards of the same rank, with one additional card known as the kicker. The kicker comes into play to break ties when two players have the same four-of-a-kind hand.
4. Full House (A♥ A♣ A♦ 9♠ 9♣)
A Full House consists of three cards of one rank and two cards of another rank. For example, three Aces and two Nines. It ranks just below Four-of-a-Kind and can win in many situations.
5. Flush (A♠ J♠ 8♠ 4♠ 3♠)
A Flush consists of five cards of the same suit, but not in any particular order. Flushes beat Straights but are beaten by Full Houses.
6. Straight (9♥ 8♠ 7♣ 6♦ 5♣)
A Straight is five consecutive cards of mixed suits. A Straight beats Three-of-a-Kind, but loses to a Flush.
7. Three-of-a-Kind (7♠ 7♦ 7♣ K♦ Q♣)
Also known as “Trips” or “Set,” Three-of-a-Kind consists of three cards of the same rank and two unrelated side cards. It can be a strong hand, but it’s vulnerable to higher hands like Straights and Flushes.
8. Two Pair (9♣ 9♦ 6♣ 6♠ Q♥)
Two Pair is composed of two cards of the same rank, paired with another two cards of the same rank, plus a fifth, unrelated card. The hand is ranked first by the higher pair, then by the lower pair, and finally by the kicker if necessary.
9. One Pair (A♦ A♥ K♠ 9♦ 4♥)
One Pair consists of two cards of the same rank and three unrelated side cards. This hand is often the starting point of many poker hands, and can be a strong hand when paired with high-value kickers.
10. High Card (A♠ J♦ 8♣ 6♠ 2♥)
High Card occurs when you have five unconnected cards of different ranks, with no pairs, straights, or flushes. The highest card in this hand is used to determine the winner in case of a tie. If both players have the same high card, the second-highest card is compared, and so on.
Understanding Tie-breakers and Kickers in Poker
When two players have identical hands, a tie-breaker is necessary to determine the winner. The extra cards that come into play during these situations are called kickers.
For example, if two players have the same pair, the player with the highest kicker (the next highest card) will win. If the kickers are also the same, the second kicker is used, and so on. If all five cards are identical, the players will split the pot equally.
Example:
Player A: K♥ 9♥
Player B: A♠ K♦
On a board of K♠-T♣-T♦-4♠-2♣, both players have a two pair: Kings and Tens. However, Player B wins because their kicker is the Ace, which is higher than Player A’s kicker of Nine.
Best Starting Hands in Texas Hold’em
While hand rankings are crucial, understanding which hands to play before the flop is just as important. In Texas Hold’em, the strength of your starting hand can significantly affect your odds of winning. The top starting hands are typically higher-value pairs and suited cards that offer opportunities for both strong top pairs and flush or straight draws.
Top 20 Starting Hands in No Limit Texas Hold’em
Here’s a list of the top 20 hands in terms of raw equity. This ranking is based on statistical analysis of win percentages in various scenarios.
- Pocket Aces (A♠ A♥) – The best starting hand in Texas Hold’em, with the highest chances of winning against any other hand.
- Pocket Kings (K♠ K♣) – The second-best hand, though vulnerable to an Ace appearing on the board.
- Pocket Queens (Q♠ Q♥) – A strong pair that often dominates lower pairs, but can be dangerous if an Ace or King shows up.
- Pocket Jacks (J♠ J♥) – A solid pair, but also known as a tricky hand to play post-flop.
- Ace-King Suited (A♠ K♠) – A powerful hand that can make top pairs or straights, with flush potential.
- Pocket Tens (T♠ T♥) – A strong pair, but often faces trouble against overcards on the board.
- Ace-King Offsuit (A♠ K♥) – Slightly weaker than the suited version but still a strong starting hand.
- Ace-Queen Suited (A♠ Q♠) – A premium hand with flush and straight potential.
- Pocket Nines (9♠ 9♥) – A solid hand that often becomes a top pair, but requires caution against higher overcards.
- Ace-Jack Suited (A♥ J♥) – A hand that can make top pairs or hit straight and flush draws.
- King-Queen Suited (K♠ Q♠) – A hand with high potential for straights, flushes, and top pairs.
- Ace-Ten Suited (A♥ T♥) – Like King-Queen suited, this hand has excellent potential for making strong top pairs and flushes.
- Ace-Queen Offsuit (A♠ Q♦) – A strong hand, especially on Queen-high flops.
- Pocket Eights (8♣ 8♦) – A decent pair, but the likelihood of facing overcards requires caution.
- King-Jack Suited (K♦ J♦) – Offers opportunities to make top pairs, straights, and flushes.
- King-Ten Suited (K♠ T♠) – A versatile hand with the ability to hit strong pairs, straights, and flushes.
- Queen-Jack Suited (Q♦ J♦) – Another hand with excellent potential for straight and flush draws.
- Ace-Jack Offsuit (A♣ J♠) – A high card-driven hand that is strong but can be tricky on Ace-high boards.
- King-Queen Offsuit (K♥ Q♠) – A strong hand that can easily make top pairs and straights.
- Queen-Ten Suited (Q♠ T♠) – A suited broadway hand with strong straight and flush potential.
Poker Hand Rankings FAQ
How many poker hands are there?
There are 10 possible 5-card poker hands, including the Royal Flush, Straight Flush, Four-of-a-Kind, Full House, Flush, Straight, Three-of-a-Kind, Two Pair, One Pair, and High Card.
What is the best poker hand?
The best hand in poker is a Royal Flush, which consists of the Ace, King, Queen, Jack, and Ten, all in the same suit.
What are the odds of getting a Royal Flush?
The odds of being dealt a Royal Flush in Texas Hold’em are 1 in 649,740, which translates to a chance of less than 0.000002%.
What is a straight flush?
A straight flush consists of five consecutive cards all of the same suit. It is one of the strongest hands in poker, just below a Royal Flush.
What is the difference between a straight and a flush?
A straight is five consecutive cards in any suits, while a flush consists of five cards all in the same suit, but not in any particular order.
Conclusion
Mastering poker hand rankings and starting hands is key to becoming a successful Texas Hold’em player. By knowing the hierarchy of hands and recognizing which hands to play aggressively and which to fold, you’ll significantly improve your ability to outplay your opponents. Combine this knowledge with good strategic thinking and reading of the table, and you’ll be well on your way to becoming a skilled poker player.
