Learning to play Poker

Hand ranking in Poker

In a poker game the most important thing to learn for a newbie is the ranking of the hand. Always the better hand wins, and if they are equal, then other cards are taken into consideration (the so-called “kickers”). You can find the order of the ranking below, and we encourage you to learn it if you want to succeed in online poker (or also at home with your friends…).

Royal Flush

Consists of A K Q J 10 of the same suit. It is the highest and rarest combination.
Its chance is: 1 : 649,739

Straight Flush

Consists of 5 cards of the same suit in sequence. An Ace can be used in the highest straight (10, J, Q, K, A) and in the lowest straight (A, 2, 3, 4, 5).
Its chance is: 1 : 72,192

Four of a Kind

Consists of four cards of the same kind (same face or same number, the “quads”). When there are more quads, the one consisting the higher cards wins.
Its chance is: 1 : 4164

Full House

Consists of three cards of the same face or number (a “three-of-a-kind”) and two cards of the same face or number (a “pair”). If there are more Full House in the game the player with the higher pair wins.
Its chance is: 1 : 693

Flush

Consists of 5 cards of the same suit. If there is more than one flush in a game the one with the higher cards wins.
Its chance is: 1 : 508

Straight

Consists of any 5 cards of any suits forming a numerical sequence. An Ace can be used in the highest straight (10, J, Q, K, A) and the lowest straight (A, 2, 3, 4, 5). In case of more straights, the one starting with the higher card wins. The sequence cannot turn at the Ace, so 3 2 A K Q is an invalid sequence.
Its chance is: 1 : 254

Three of a Kind

Consists of three cards of the same number or face value (“trips or drills”). If these are equal the one with the higher two remaining cards wins.
Its chance is: 1 : 46

Two Pair

Consists of two pairs. If two players have two pair, the hand with the highest pair wins (for example player 1 has: AA 22, player 2 has: KK QQ, in this case player 1 wins). If they have the same high pair, whoever has the second highest pair wins. If they have the same two pair, whoever has the highest fifth card (“kicker”) wins.
Its chance is: 1 : 20

One Pair

Consists of 2 cards of the same face value or number. If two players have the same pair, the highest outside card(s) wins.
Its chance is: 1 : 2.4

High Card

Consists of any cards. In most cases a hand does not fit any of the above categories. In these cases the highest cards are compared. If they are equal, then the 2nd highest are compared, and so on.
Its chance is: 1 : 2

You can practice these hand rankings in one of the poker rooms.

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