Below are the ranking of poker hands, from highest to lowest.

Royal Flush

The most-coveted hand in poker – cards of the same suit, in sequence, with the highest card as Ace (10, J, Q, K, A).  This is the best possible hand in poker. It consists of five cards of the same suit, in sequence from 10 through to Ace. Remember that all suits are equal in poker. If two or more players hold a royal flush (highly unlikely) then the pot is split, i.e. the players share the winnings.

Straight Flush

Any five cards in sequence of the same suit (Ex: 5, 6, 7, 8, 9).  Five cards of the same suit, in sequence. This example shows a 9 high straight flush. If two or more players hold a straight flush then it is the highest that wins. For example, a Queen high straight flush beats a 9 high straight flush. You will notice that this is very similar to a royal flush, and that’s because a royal flush is in fact an ace high straight flush – but it’s given its very own ranking.

Four of a Kind

Four cards of the same rank or value (Ex: Q, Q, Q, Q).  This hand contains four cards of the same rank/value. This example shows four Queen’s, plus a 10 (remember that all poker hands must have five cards). If two or more players have four of a kind, then the highest value wins (e.g. four Q’s beats four 8’s).

Full House

Three of a kind combined with two of a kind (Ex: J ,J , J, 5, 5).  A full house contains three cards of the same rank, plus a pair. In our example you can see three J’s and a pair of 5’s. The value of the three matching cards determines the strength of a full house. So three King’s with a pair of 5’s would beat our example hand. If players share the same three cards, which is possible when using community cards, the strength of the pair is then taken into account. So, three Jack’s and a pair of 8’s would beat our example hand.

Flush

Five cards of the same suit, not in sequence (Ex: 2, 6, 10, K, A).  Five cards of the same suit in any order. Our example shows an Ace high flush. If two or more players have a flush then the player with the highest ranked card wins. If the players share the same high card then it’s determined by the value of the 2nd, 3rd, 4th, and 5th card respectively.

Straight

Five cards in sequence, not of the same suit (Ex: 7, 8, 9, 10, J ).  This hand contains five unsuited cards in sequence. Our example shows a Jack high straight. In the event of a tie, the best straight is determined by the highest ranked card. A straight consisting of  6,7, 8, 9, 10,  would lose to our example hand. But a straight consisting of 10, J, Q, K, A, would win. Also note that an Ace can be used as the low card for a straight of A, 2, 3, 4, 5. This would lose to a straight of 2, 3, 4, 5, 6.

Three of a kind

Three cards of the same rank (Ex: K, K, K).  Three cards of the same rank, and two unrelated cards. Our example shows three King’s. Three Ace’s would beat our example hand, three 6’s would beat three 5’s, and so on. If players share the same three cards, then the value of the highest unrelated card would count and if necessary, the value of the second unrelated card. So, three King’s with Jack, 8, would beat our example hand. As would three King’s and 7, 9 (because 9 is higher than 2).

Two Pair

Two sets of pairs (Ex: J, J,4, 4).  Two cards of matching rank, with another two cards of another rank, plus an additional card. In the event of a tie, the highest pair wins. If players share the same highest pair, then the value of the next pair wins. For example, a pair of Aces, and a pair of 6’s would beat our example hand, as would a pair of Kings and a pair of 7’s. If two or more players share the same two pair, then the value of the fifth card counts. So, a pair of Jacks, a pair of 4’s, with a 9, would beat our example hand.

One Pair

Two cards of the same rank (Ex: Ace, Ace).  A paired hand contains two cards of matching rank, plus three additional cards. The value of the pair determines who wins in the event of a tie. If players share the same pair then the best hand is determined by the value of the highest additional card. If this is the same then it goes to the second card, and if necessary the third. So, a pair of Ace’s with a 3, 5, and 10, would beat our example hand. As would a pair of Ace’s, 3, 6, and a 9.

High Card

A poker hand which does not fit in any of the above categories. The hand’s rank is the highest card. If two poker hands have the same highest ranked card, the next highest ranked card wins the hand.   In this example we have a hand which is Ace high. If players share the same highest card, then it goes to the value of the 2nd, 3rd, 4th, and even 5th card if necessary. A hand of Ace, Jack, 7, 6, 3, would beat our example hand.