Poker hand rankings
In total five cards make up a poker hand and different combinations have different values. Here we lay out the traditional rankings, starting with the highest (Royal Flush) down to the lowest (High Card).
Royal Flush
Five cards of the same suit all in a row with an ace as the highest card
Straight Flush
Five cards of the same suit all in a row
Four of a Kind (also known as "Poker" or "Quads")
Four cards of the same value
Full House
Three of a kind and a pair
Flush
Five cards of the same suit, with any values
Straight
Five cards in a row, in any suits
Three of a Kind (also known as "Set")
Three cards of the same value
Two Pairs
Two pairs of cards
One Pair
One pair of cards
High Card
If players have none of the above combinations then the player with the highest card wins. If two hands have the same highest card, then the next highest is used.
Please note: If more than one player has the same card combination in their hand then the last criterion for deciding who wins the pot is the "kicker", i.e. the extra card. The ranking goes from highest (ace) to lowest (deuce).
Whoever has the highest kicker wins the pot. If there is still no winner then the pot is split equally to each player (split pot).
An exception to this is in Hi/Lo games where the pot is split between the players with the highest and the lowest hands. You can find out more about the different types of poker under "Poker games".