Poker is a popular card game that has been played for centuries around the world. It involves strategy, skill and a bit of luck. If you’re new to the game, it can be quite overwhelming trying to understand the different hand rankings and card orders. In this article, we will break down the hierarchy of playing cards in poker and help you better understand the game.
Overview of Poker Hands
Before we dive into the specific order of poker cards, it’s important to have a basic understanding of the different hands in poker. A standard deck of playing cards consists of 52 cards, with four suits – hearts, diamonds, clubs and spades. Each suit has 13 cards, from Ace to King.
There are a total of 10 possible poker hands, ranked from highest to lowest:
The goal of the game is to make the best five-card hand using a combination of your own cards and community cards (cards shared by all players). Now, let’s take a closer look at the specific poker card order.
1. Royal Flush
A Royal Flush is the rarest and most powerful hand in poker. It consists of an Ace, King, Queen, Jack, and Ten, all of the same suit. For example, an Ace of Spades, King of Spades, Queen of Spades, Jack of Spades, and Ten of Spades would make a Royal Flush. This hand cannot be beaten and is the ultimate winner in any game of poker.
- Consists of 5 high ranking cards of the same suit
- The highest possible hand in poker
- Cannot be beaten by any other hand
If you are lucky enough to have a Royal Flush, it’s important to not give away your strong hand too soon. You want to make sure to get as much money into the pot as possible before revealing your unbeatable hand. This means playing strategically and making calculated bets to lure your opponents into thinking they have a chance to beat you.
2. Straight Flush
The next strongest hand is a Straight Flush, which consists of five consecutive cards of the same suit. For example, a 5, 6, 7, 8, and 9 of Hearts would make a Straight Flush. If two players have a Straight Flush, the one with the higher ranking cards wins. In case of a tie, the pot is split between the players.
- Consists of 5 consecutive cards of the same suit
- Stronger than Four of a Kind but weaker than a Royal Flush
- Higher ranking cards determine the winner in case of a tie
Similar to a Royal Flush, you want to play your Straight Flush wisely. Don’t give away your strong hand too soon by betting aggressively. Instead, try to build up the pot by making smaller bets and luring your opponents into thinking they have a chance to win.
3. Four of a Kind
A Four of a Kind hand consists of four cards of the same rank, also known as “quads”. For example, four Aces would make a Four of a Kind. The fifth card, also known as the kicker, is used to determine the winner in case of a tie. If two players have the same Four of a Kind, the player with the higher kicker wins.
- Consists of 4 cards of the same rank and one other card
- Stronger than a Full House but weaker than a Straight Flush
- Higher kicker determines the winner in case of a tie
With a Four of a Kind, it’s important to bet aggressively to get as much money into the pot as possible. However, if the board has four of a kind, it is likely that someone will have a better hand, so be cautious of this scenario. You can also try to slow play your hand by checking or making smaller bets to entice your opponents to stay in the game.
4. Full House
A Full House hand consists of three of a kind and a pair. For example, three Queens and two Aces would make a Full House. If two players have a Full House, the one with the higher ranking three of a kind wins. If both players have the same three of a kind, the player with the higher pair wins. If both players have the same Full House, the pot is split between them.
- Consists of 3 cards of the same rank and 2 cards of another rank
- Stronger than a Flush but weaker than Four of a Kind
- Higher ranking three of a kind determines the winner in case of a tie
With a Full House, you want to bet aggressively to build up the pot. However, be aware of potential flush or straight possibilities on the board. Pay attention to your opponents’ betting patterns and try to gauge what type of hands they may have.
5. Flush
A Flush is a hand where all five cards are of the same suit, but not consecutive in rank. For example, five spade cards of any rank would make a Flush. If two players have a Flush, the one with the highest ranking card wins. If the highest ranking cards are the same, the next highest card is used to determine the winner. If all five cards on the board are of the same suit, the pot is split between all players.
- Consists of 5 cards of the same suit
- Higher ranking card determines the winner in case of a tie
- If all five cards on the board are of the same suit, the pot is split
With a Flush, you want to bet aggressively to build up the pot. However, be aware of potential straight or full house possibilities on the board. If there are four cards of the same suit already on the board, it’s less likely that your opponent has a flush, so be cautious of this scenario.
6. Straight
A Straight hand consists of five cards in sequential rank, regardless of the suit. For example, a 2, 3, 4, 5, and 6 would make a Straight. In case of a tie, the player with the higher ranking straight wins. If both players have the same straight, the pot is split between them.
- Consists of 5 cards in sequential rank
- Higher ranking straight determines the winner in case of a tie
- If both players have the same straight, the pot is split
With a Straight, you want to bet cautiously as it is a weaker hand compared to others. Keep an eye out for potential flush or full house possibilities on the board. If there are four cards of the same suit already on the board, it’s less likely that your opponent has a flush, so you can bet more confidently.
7. Three of a Kind
A Three of a Kind hand consists of three cards of the same rank, also known as “trips”. The remaining two cards are not related in rank or suit. If two players have Three of a Kind, the player with the higher ranking three of a kind wins. In case of a tie, the kicker is used to determine the winner.
- Consists of 3 cards of the same rank and 2 unrelated cards
- Stronger than Two Pair but weaker than a Straight
- Higher ranking three of a kind determines the winner in case of a tie
With Three of a Kind, you want to bet aggressively to get as much money into the pot as possible. However, be cautious of potential straight or flush possibilities on the board. Pay attention to your opponents’ betting patterns and try to gauge what type of hands they may have.
8. Two Pair
A Two Pair hand consists of two pairs of cards with different ranks, along with an unrelated fifth card. For example, two Kings, two Jacks, and an Ace would make a Two Pair. If two players have Two Pair, the player with the higher ranking pair wins. If both players have the same top pair, the second pair is used to determine the winner. If both players have the same Two Pair, the pot is split between them.
- Consists of 2 pairs of cards with an unrelated fifth card
- Higher ranking pair determines the winner in case of a tie
- If both players have the same top pair, the second pair is used to determine the winner
With a Two Pair, you want to bet cautiously as it is a weaker hand compared to others. Keep an eye out for potential flush or full house possibilities on the board. If there are four cards of the same suit already on the board, it’s less likely that your opponent has a flush, so you can bet more confidently.
9. One Pair
A One Pair hand consists of two cards of the same rank, along with three unrelated cards. For example, two Aces and three other cards would make a One Pair. If two players have One Pair, the player with the higher ranking pair wins. In case of a tie, the remaining cards are used to determine the winner.
- Consists of 2 cards of the same rank and 3 unrelated cards
- Stronger than High Card but weaker than Two Pair
- Higher ranking pair determines the winner in case of a tie
With One Pair, you want to bet cautiously as it is a weaker hand compared to others. Keep an eye out for potential flush or straight possibilities on the board. Pay attention to your opponents’ betting patterns and try to gauge what type of hands they may have.
10. High Card
The lowest possible hand in poker is a High Card, where none of the cards are related in rank or suit. When comparing High Card hands, the highest ranking card wins. If two players have the same high card, the next highest card is used to determine the winner. This continues until all five cards are compared and a winner is determined.
- Consists of 5 unrelated cards
- The lowest possible hand in poker
- Higher ranking cards determine the winner
With High Card, you want to bet cautiously as it is the weakest hand in poker. Keep an eye out for potential straight or flush possibilities on the board. If there are four cards of the same suit already on the board, it’s less likely that your opponent has a flush, so you can bet more confidently.
Conclude
In this article, we learned about the order of cards in the game of poker. From Royal Flush – the strongest hand in poker to High Card – the weakest hand, each type of card has different characteristics and ways of playing. Understanding this order will help you improve your poker playing skills and win games.
In addition, there are many other factors that affect the outcome of a poker game such as reading skills and luck. Therefore, practice and play a lot to become a successful poker player!
