Hand reference
Choose the right five cards, then compare.
These are standard high-poker rankings, strongest first. Compare the hand category, then the relevant card ranks. A tie requires all five cards in the best hand to have equal value.
- Card ranks
- A > K > Q > J > 10 > 9 > 8 > 7 > 6 > 5 > 4 > 3 > 2. Ace is low in an A-2-3-4-5 straight.
- Four suits
- ♠ Spades, ♥ Hearts, ♦ Diamonds, ♣ Clubs. Suits do not break standard high-poker showdown ties.
- What is a kicker?
- An unpaired card that completes the final five-card hand alongside a pair, two pair, trips or quads, and may break a tie. It must actually be part of the best five cards.
- Check the game first
- Hold’em may use zero, one or two hole cards; Omaha must use exactly two. Short deck and lowball have separate rules.
ROYAL FLUSH
Royal Flush
A, K, Q, J and 10 of one suit. This is the highest straight flush and the strongest hand under standard high-hand rules.
Within this category, compare in this order
- All five cards must share a suit and have exactly the ranks 10, J, Q, K and A.
- No five-card combination ranks higher under standard high-hand rules.
- When hands tie
- Royal flushes of different suits have equal strength; spades do not beat hearts. If equally strong hands can legally occur in the same deal and are eligible for the same pot, that pot is split.
- Common misreading
- A, K, Q, J and 10 in mixed suits form only an ace-high straight. A royal flush is a special case of a straight flush, not a separate dealing method.
Show the comparison：Royal Flush
Separate five-card comparisons, not a single shared deal.
Both hands are ace-high straight flushes. Suits do not rank hands in a standard high-hand showdown, so these hands are equal.
STRAIGHT FLUSH
Straight Flush
Five consecutive ranks, all of the same suit. Both the sequence and the suit must match.
Within this category, compare in this order
- Compare the highest rank in the straight. The higher top card wins.
- A, 2, 3, 4 and 5 of one suit form a five-high straight flush; the ace plays low.
- Matching top cards mean equal hands. Do not compare suits.
- When hands tie
- A straight flush has no additional kicker. Matching top ranks also mean matching ranks across all five cards.
- Common misreading
- K, A, 2, 3 and 4 cannot wrap around. In a standard straight, an ace can be high in an ace-high straight or low in a five-high straight.
Show the comparison：Straight Flush
Separate five-card comparisons, not a single shared deal.
A has a nine-high straight flush; B has an eight-high straight flush. Compare the top cards: 9 beats 8, so A wins.
Gold borders identify the cards that decide this comparison.
FOUR OF A KIND
Four of a Kind
Four cards of the same rank plus one card of another rank. The fifth card is the kicker and is part of the final five-card hand.
Within this category, compare in this order
- Compare the rank of the four matching cards first. Four queens beat four jacks.
- If the four of a kind is the same, compare the single kicker.
- When hands tie
- In Hold'em, all four matching cards may be on the board. Each player then uses the highest available kicker. The result is a tie only if the kickers also match.
- Common misreading
- A stronger kicker cannot compensate for weaker quads. Four jacks with an ace still lose to four queens with a three.
Show the comparison：Four of a Kind
Separate five-card comparisons, not a single shared deal.
Compare the quads first: queens beat jacks. B's ace kicker cannot overturn that comparison, so A wins.
Gold borders identify the cards that decide this comparison.
FULL HOUSE
Full house
Three cards of one rank and two cards of another: three of a kind plus a pair. All five cards form the full house.
Within this category, compare in this order
- Compare the rank of the three matching cards first. Higher wins.
- Only if the three of a kind matches do you compare the pair.
- If both parts match, the hands are equal. There is no sixth-card kicker.
- When hands tie
- For example, if both players make 8, 8, 8, K, K, the hands have equal strength even if they use different hole cards.
- Common misreading
- The three of a kind takes priority. 88822 beats 777AA; the ace is not compared first. With two sets of three among seven cards, use the higher three of a kind and two cards from the other set as the pair.
Show the comparison：Full house
Separate five-card comparisons, not a single shared deal.
A's three eights beat B's three sevens. B's pair of aces does not change the result: A wins.
Gold borders identify the cards that decide this comparison.
FLUSH
Flush
Five cards of one suit that do not also form a straight. The ranks need not be consecutive. If they are consecutive and suited, the hand is a straight flush.
Within this category, compare in this order
- Arrange all five cards from highest to lowest rank.
- Compare the highest card first. If equal, continue through the second, third, fourth and fifth cards.
- At the first differing rank, the higher card wins.
- When hands tie
- All five ranks must match in order for flushes to tie. Two ace-high flushes are not automatically equal.
- Common misreading
- Hearts and diamonds are different suits; five red cards need not form a flush. With six suited cards available between hand and board, use the best legal five-card combination.
Show the comparison：Flush
Separate five-card comparisons, not a single shared deal.
The first three cards, A, K and J, match. At the fourth card, 8 beats 7, so A wins. Having an ace in both flushes does not make a tie.
Gold borders identify the cards that decide this comparison.
STRAIGHT
Straight
Five consecutive ranks in mixed suits. Under standard rules, the lowest is A, 2, 3, 4, 5 and the highest is 10, J, Q, K, A.
Within this category, compare in this order
- Compare only the top card of the five-card sequence.
- A, 2, 3, 4, 5 is a five-high straight. A six-high straight beats it.
- Matching top cards mean equal hands. Suits and extra hole cards do not count.
- When hands tie
- If both players use 10, 9, 8, 7, 6, they have the same ten-high straight. A straight already uses five cards and has no kicker.
- Common misreading
- Q, K, A, 2, 3 is not a straight. Duplicate ranks cannot fill a gap: 2, 3, 4, 4, 5 lacks five distinct consecutive ranks.
Show the comparison：Straight
Separate five-card comparisons, not a single shared deal.
A's top card is 6. B has an ace, but it plays low in this sequence, whose top card is 5. A wins.
Gold borders identify the cards that decide this comparison.
THREE OF A KIND
Three of a kind
Three cards of one rank plus two cards of different ranks, neither matching the three of a kind. Those two cards are kickers.
Within this category, compare in this order
- Compare the rank of the three matching cards first.
- If the three of a kind matches, compare the higher kicker.
- If still equal, compare the remaining kicker.
- When hands tie
- The three of a kind and both kickers must match for a tie. With three matching cards on the board, hole cards may serve as kickers or be replaced by stronger community cards.
- Common misreading
- In Hold'em, a set usually means a pocket pair matched by one community card; trips usually means a paired board matched by one hole card. They are made differently but are both ranked by the three matching cards and kickers, with no extra bonus.
Show the comparison：Three of a kind
Separate five-card comparisons, not a single shared deal.
Both have three sixes, so compare kickers. A's first kicker, an ace, beats B's king. A wins without comparing the remaining nine and queen.
Gold borders identify the cards that decide this comparison.
TWO PAIR
Two pair
Two cards of one rank, two of another, and one kicker of a third rank. The two pairs must have different ranks.
Within this category, compare in this order
- Compare the higher pair first.
- If the higher pair matches, compare the lower pair.
- If both pairs match, compare the fifth-card kicker.
- When hands tie
- The higher pair, lower pair and kicker must all match for a tie. A higher kicker cannot override the comparison of either pair.
- Common misreading
- Seven available cards may contain three pairs, but the final hand has only five cards: “three pair” is not a standard hand category. At most, one card from the third pair may be the kicker, subject to comparison with the other available cards.
Show the comparison：Two pair
Separate five-card comparisons, not a single shared deal.
Both higher pairs are jacks. Compare the lower pairs: fours beat threes, so A wins. B's ace kicker does not decide this hand.
Gold borders identify the cards that decide this comparison.
ONE PAIR
One pair
Two cards of one rank plus three cards of distinct ranks, none matching the pair. All three unpaired cards are kickers in the final five-card hand.
Within this category, compare in this order
- Compare the rank of the pair first.
- If the pairs match, arrange the three kickers from highest to lowest and compare them in order.
- The first differing kicker decides the result. You cannot skip a higher kicker.
- When hands tie
- The pair and all three kickers must match for a tie. A hole card outside the best five cannot break that tie.
- Common misreading
- “Both have a pair of aces” does not establish a tie. Do not add the ranks of two hole cards together: poker compares hand categories and individual ranks in order.
Show the comparison：One pair
Separate five-card comparisons, not a single shared deal.
The pair of aces and first kicker, a jack, match. A's second kicker, 8, beats B's 7, so A wins. The third kickers, 3 and 5, no longer affect the result.
Gold borders identify the cards that decide this comparison.
HIGH CARD
High card
Five cards that make no pair, straight, flush or stronger hand. A high-card hand can beat a lower high-card hand; it does not automatically lose.
Within this category, compare in this order
- Arrange the five cards from highest to lowest.
- Compare each card in order. The first differing rank decides the result.
- All five ranks must match for a tie. Suits do not rank above one another.
- When hands tie
- “Ace high” describes only the top card. If both aces match, later cards such as kings or queens may decide the result. Compare no more than the final five cards.
- Common misreading
- Even ace high loses to the lowest pair, a pair of twos. Compare the hand category first, then ranks within that category.
Show the comparison：High card
Separate five-card comparisons, not a single shared deal.
A, K and J match in order. At the fourth card, 8 beats 7, so A has the stronger high-card hand.
Gold borders identify the cards that decide this comparison.
Compare the hand category first
Standard high rankings, strongest first: royal flush, straight flush, four of a kind, full house, flush, straight, three of a kind, two pair, one pair, high card. A royal flush is the highest straight flush, with an Ace on top.
Comparing within a category
Four of a kind is compared by the four equal-ranked cards, then the remaining kicker. For a full house, compare the three of a kind, then the pair. For two pair, compare the higher pair, lower pair and remaining kicker. For one pair, compare the pair, then the three remaining kickers in order.
Flushes and high-card hands compare every card from highest to lowest. Straights compare their top card; A-2-3-4-5 is five-high. Ace cannot connect Q-K-A-2-3 in standard rules.
Equal five-card hands split
At standard Hold’em and Omaha showdowns, suits do not normally have a ranking. If the best five-card hands have identical value, eligible players split that pot. A sixth card is never compared.
This table is not universal
Short deck may reverse the order of a flush and full house. Razz, 2-7 and Badugi each have separate lowball rules. Recheck the comparison system whenever you change games.
Compare the best five cards
See the hole cards and board together.
These examples are complete, legally possible deals. Compare each player's hole cards, the board and the final five to see which cards count.
Hole cardBoard cardEach selected card shows its origin. “Not used” means that hole card is outside the best five.
You have two hole cards, but may use just one.
Hold'em · A complete example using one hole card.
Player's hole cards
- Not used
↓ Using 1 hole cards + 4 community cards
- Board card
- Board card
- Hole card
- Board card
- Board card
Pair of kings · A, Q, J kickers
The best five are a pair of kings with A, Q and J. The hole-card 2 and board 8 are weaker than these kickers and are left out. Hold'em does not require both hole cards to be used together.
Both have a pair of aces. Whose five cards are stronger?
Hold'em · You may use zero, one or two hole cards.
Player A's hole cards
↓ Using 2 hole cards + 3 community cards
- Board card
- Hole card
- Hole card
- Board card
- Board card
Pair of aces · K, 9, 7 kickers
Player B's hole cards
↓ Using 2 hole cards + 3 community cards
- Board card
- Hole card
- Hole card
- Board card
- Board card
Pair of aces · Q, 9, 7 kickers
Both players use two hole cards. With equal pairs, compare the unpaired cards in the best five in order. The board's 4 and 2 are not selected and do not enter the comparison.
A pocket pair can still result in a tie.
Hold'em · A complete example using no hole cards.
Player A's hole cards
- Not used
- Not used
↓ Using 0 hole cards + 5 community cards
- Board card
- Board card
- Board card
- Board card
- Board card
Ace-high straight · Playing the board
Player B's hole cards
- Not used
- Not used
↓ Using 0 hole cards + 5 community cards
- Board card
- Board card
- Board card
- Board card
- Board card
Ace-high straight · Playing the board
This board contains all four suits, and neither player can make a flush or stronger hand. Neither player's hole cards enter the best five, so the pocket nines do not beat the pocket twos. Eligible players split the same pot.
Four spades on the board do not mean you have a flush.
Four-card Omaha · Use exactly two hole cards and three community cards.
Player's hole cards
- Not used
- Not used
↓ Using 2 hole cards + 3 community cards
- Board card
- Board card
- Board card
- Hole card
- Hole card
Ace-high straight · J♠, 10♥ + A♠, K♠, Q♠
The player has only one spade among their hole cards. Using J♠ with four spades from the board would break the 2 + 3 rule. The legal combination is J♠ and 10♥ from the hand with A♠, K♠ and Q♠ from the board. Applying Hold'em selection rules to the same available cards could produce a different result, so identify the variant first.
· Card details
Five situations that often cause confusion.
From quads on the board to two sets of trips and three pairs. Open an example to see exactly how the best five cards are chosen and compared.
Four of a kind on the board: why can one player still win?
Hold'em · With equal quads, compare the fifth-card kicker.
Player A's hole cards
- Not used
↓ Using 1 hole cards + 4 community cards
- Board card
- Board card
- Board card
- Board card
- Hole card
Four queens · Ace kicker
Player B's hole cards
- Not used
↓ Using 1 hole cards + 4 community cards
- Board card
- Board card
- Board card
- Board card
- Hole card
Four queens · King kicker
Four of a kind uses only four cards, so a fifth must still be selected. A replaces the board's 7 with an ace, while B replaces it with a king. Their best five are different. The result is a tie only if the kickers also match.
Different hole cards: why is it still a tie?
Hold'em · The sixth and seventh cards do not count.
Player A's hole cards
- Not used
- Not used
↓ Using 0 hole cards + 5 community cards
- Board card
- Board card
- Board card
- Board card
- Board card
Pair of aces · K, Q, J kickers
Player B's hole cards
- Not used
- Not used
↓ Using 0 hole cards + 5 community cards
- Board card
- Board card
- Board card
- Board card
- Board card
Pair of aces · K, Q, J kickers
A's 9 is higher than B's 7, but neither enters the best five. The comparison stops after five cards; a sixth hole card cannot decide the result. Here, the board's jack is higher than every hole card held by either player.
Two sets of three among seven cards: how do you make a full house?
Hold'em · Keep the higher three of a kind and take two cards from the lower set.
Player's hole cards
↓ Using 2 hole cards + 3 community cards
- Board card
- Board card
- Board card
- Hole card
- Hole card
Three kings and a pair of eights
Three kings outrank three eights, so KKK88 beats 888KK. Any two of the three eights are equivalent. This diagram selects the two hole-card eights; the board's eight is omitted for illustration, not because its suit is weaker.
Three pairs among seven cards: which card becomes the kicker?
Hold'em · The final comparison uses five cards. There is no “three pair” category.
Player's hole cards
↓ Using 2 hole cards + 3 community cards
- Hole card
- Hole card
- Board card
- Board card
- Board card
Aces and kings · Queen kicker
The two highest pairs occupy four places, leaving room for only one more card. Both queens are equal; the diagram uses the queen of hearts. The other queen cannot count as a sixth card. If a higher legal single card is also available, compare it before choosing the kicker.
Do more suited cards make a stronger flush?
Hold'em · Even with six or seven suited cards, use only the best five.
Player A's hole cards
- Not used
↓ Using 1 hole cards + 4 community cards
- Board card
- Board card
- Hole card
- Board card
- Board card
A, K, Q, 8, 5 flush
Player B's hole cards
↓ Using 2 hole cards + 3 community cards
- Board card
- Board card
- Hole card
- Hole card
- Board card
A, K, J, 10, 8 flush
A has six available spades and B has seven, but the count gives no extra strength. Their A and K match; Q versus J at the third card decides the result, so later cards are not compared. Neither player has five consecutive spades, so neither has a straight flush.
Cards use complete, standard faces.Asset sources and licenses(new window)
Rules may vary between platforms, tables and events. This guide explains common rules; available games, eligibility and dispute procedures are determined by the platform's official announcements.
Keep exploring
This guide was independently compiled in Chinese. The following sources let you verify the rules.
PokerStars hand rankings(new window)