Quick Chart: What Beats What
This is the standard “highest to lowest” list. A higher-ranked hand always beats a lower-ranked hand.
| Rank | Hand | Beats | Quick Definition |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Five of a Kind | Everything | Four cards of the same rank + Wild Card |
| 2 | Royal Flush | Everything (in non-wild card game) | A-K-Q-J-10, same suit |
| 3 | Straight Flush | Four of a Kind and below | Five consecutive, same suit |
| 4 | Four of a Kind | Full House and below | Four cards of the same rank |
| 5 | Full House | Flush and below | Three of a kind + a pair |
| 6 | Flush | Straight and below | Five cards, same suit (not consecutive) |
| 7 | Straight | Three of a Kind and below | Five consecutive (any suits) |
| 8 | Three of a Kind | Two Pair and below | Three cards of the same rank |
| 9 | Two Pair | One Pair and below | Two different pairs |
| 10 | One Pair | High Card | Two cards of the same rank |
| 11 | High Card | — | No pair, best five-card high |
Full Poker Hand Rankings With Examples
Below are each hand type with a clear example and what to look for. (Suits don’t matter unless it’s a flush / straight flush.)
1) Royal Flush
Royal Flush Best possible hand
Definition: A-K-Q-J-10 all in the same suit.
Example: A♥ K♥ Q♥ J♥ 10♥
2) Straight Flush
Straight Flush Consecutive + same suit
Definition: Five consecutive cards of the same suit.
Example: 9♣ 8♣ 7♣ 6♣ 5♣
3) Four of a Kind (Quads)
Four of a Kind 4 same rank
Definition: Four cards of the same rank + one kicker.
Example: A♦ A♣ A♥ A♠ + 7♣
4) Full House
Full House Trips + pair
Definition: Three of a kind + a pair.
Example: K♠ K♦ K♣ + 9♥ 9♣
Spoken as: “Kings full of nines.”
5) Flush
Flush 5 same suit
Definition: Any five cards of the same suit (not in sequence).
Example: A♠ J♠ 9♠ 6♠ 3♠
6) Straight
Straight 5 consecutive
Definition: Five consecutive ranks (suits don’t matter).
Example: 8♦ 7♣ 6♠ 5♦ 4♥
Special case: The ace can be low in A-2-3-4-5 (“wheel”).
7) Three of a Kind (Trips / Set)
Three of a Kind 3 same rank
Definition: Three cards of the same rank + two kickers.
Example: 7♥ 7♠ 7♦ + K♣ + 2♣
8) Two Pair
Two Pair 2 pairs + kicker
Definition: Two different pairs + one kicker.
Example: J♣ J♦ + 4♠ 4♦ + A♥
9) One Pair
One Pair 1 pair
Definition: One pair + three kickers.
Example: Q♠ Q♦ + A♣ + 9♥ + 3♦
10) High Card
High Card No pair
Definition: No made hand (no pair, no straight, no flush). Best 5-card high wins.
Example: A♦ J♣ 9♥ 6♠ 2♦ (“Ace-high”)
How Ties Are Broken (Kickers & Rules)
When two players have the same hand type, the winner is decided by comparing the highest relevant cards. This is where kickers and “top card” comparisons matter.
Kickers (Pair / Two Pair / Trips)
If two players share the same pair (or two pair), compare the highest remaining cards in order.
Example:
Player A: Q-Q with A-9-3 kickers
Player B: Q-Q with A-8-5 kickers
Winner: Player A (9 kicker beats 8)
Straights & Straight Flushes
Straights are ranked by their highest card. Suits do not break ties in standard poker.
Example:
A-2-3-4-5 is the lowest straight (“wheel”).
10-J-Q-K-A is the highest straight.
Flushes
Compare the highest card in the flush, then the next highest, and so on.
Example:
A-high flush beats K-high flush.
Full Houses
Compare the three of a kind first, then the pair.
Example:
K-K-K-9-9 beats Q-Q-Q-A-A.
Common Poker Hand Ranking Mistakes
- Thinking a straight beats a flush (it doesn’t).
- Misreading the “wheel” straight (A-2-3-4-5). The ace counts as low here.
- Assuming suits break ties (in standard poker, suits do not rank above each other).
- Not using exactly five cards (your final hand is always 5 cards even if you can see 7).
- Confusing two pair vs full house on paired boards (Hold’em/Omaha).
Notes for Different Poker Games
These rankings apply to most mainstream poker variants, but always confirm the exact rules of the game you’re playing:
- Texas Hold’em: Make the best 5-card hand using any combination of 2 hole + 5 community cards.
- Omaha: Must use exactly 2 hole cards and exactly 3 community cards.
- Seven Card Stud: Make the best 5-card hand from your 7 cards (no community board).
- Five Card Draw: Your final hand is simply the best 5 cards you hold at showdown.
- Lowball / Hi-Lo games: Rankings may change (especially for “low” hands). This page covers standard “high hand” poker.
Poker Hand Rankings FAQ
What is the highest hand in poker?
A royal flush is the highest possible hand: A-K-Q-J-10 all in the same suit.
Does a flush beat a straight?
Yes. A flush ranks higher than a straight in standard poker hand rankings.
Do suits matter in poker hand rankings?
Not for ranking hands or breaking ties in standard poker. Suits matter only to determine whether you have a flush. If two players have the same hand, the pot is split (suits do not act as a tie-breaker).
What is a kicker in poker?
A kicker is a side card used to break ties when players have the same made hand (like the same pair). The highest kicker wins, then the next highest, and so on.
Can an ace be low in a straight?
Yes. An ace can be used as the lowest card in the straight A-2-3-4-5 (often called the “wheel”). In that case, the ace is counted as “1” for straight purposes.
How do ties work in poker?
If two players make the exact same five-card hand, the pot is split equally between them. Otherwise, the winner is determined by comparing the highest relevant cards and kickers.
