Poker Hand Rankings Chart (Strongest to Weakest)

In poker, you may have four-of-a-kind sitting in your hand, but if someone else has a straight flush, that four-of-a-kind is a weak hand. Winning in poker is all about making the best hand that you can, and that means making a hand that will beat your opponents. Poker players need a clear understanding of the poker hand rankings chart to make effective decisions at the table. Knowing the strongest and weakest hands helps players quickly assess their position and make strategic moves throughout play.

Poker Hand Rankings Chart

In most games of poker, your goal will be to create the best five-card hand that you can, whether you are using all your own cards or you are using a combination of your own cards and community cards. There are only a certain number of combinations that you can make with those five cards that will be recognized, and those combinations are ranked. We’ve organized these combinations in the poker hand rankings chart below.

 

Rank	Hand Name	Description	Probability	Combinations
1	Royal Flush	Ace, King, Queen, Jack, and 10, all of the same suit.	0.000154%	4
2	Straight Flush	Five consecutive cards of the same suit (excluding Royal Flush).	0.00139%	36
3	Four of a Kind	Four cards of the same rank.	0.0240%	624
4	Full House	Three of a kind combined with a pair.	0.1441%	3,744
5	Flush	Any five cards of the same suit, not consecutive.	0.197%	5,108
6	Straight	Five consecutive cards of any suits (excluding Royal Flush).	0.3925%	10,200
7	Three of a Kind	Three cards of the same rank.	2.1128%	54,912
8	Two Pair	Two different pairs.	4.7539%	123,552
9	One Pair	Two cards of the same rank.	42.2569%	1,098,240
10	High Card	Any hand not in the above categories; highest card plays.	50.1177%	1,302,540

How to Use the Poker Hand Rankings Chart

You can use the poker hand rankings chart to quickly identify the strength of your hand and to make decisions about your next move. Knowing where your hand ranks on the chart can help you decide whether to call, raise, or fold. If your hand has promise, you can call. If your hand is strong, you can raise your bet. If your hand is very low on the chart and there aren’t many options to improve it, you can fold.

Practice using the chart until recognizing hand rankings becomes second nature. This familiarity will help in high-pressure situations when time is limited.

Comparing Poker Hands

Comparing hands requires quickly assessing your hand relative to your opponent’s hand. Here are some tips for making quick decisions:

1. Review the Board: Check for potential flushes and straights by noting what’s available in the community cards (for applicable games).
2. Determine Opponents’ Range: Analyze betting patterns and poker tells to estimate your opponents’ likely hands. If you know they only raise when they have a strong hand and you see them raising, there’s a good chance they have a strong hand.
3. Assess Your Kicker: When you have only a pair, evaluate your kicker to see if it strengthens your position. If not, it may be time to fold.
4. Make Prompt Decisions: Commit to a plan once you’ve evaluated your hand. Any waffling could lead others to believe you have a weak hand (even if you don’t) and try to bully you with bigger bets.

Ties and Kickers

In poker, a tie occurs when players hold hands of the same rank. The kicker, an unrelated card that accompanies the primary combination, breaks ties by being the highest card outside the core hand. For example, in a one-pair hand, the kicker is the highest card not in the pair. If kickers are also tied, the pot is split between the tied players. Understanding how ties and kickers work, along with poker hand rankings, ensures you know your chances of winning in these situations.

Table Position and Hand Selection

Table position refers to a player’s location relative to the dealer button and is an essential factor in determining the strength and playability of poker hands. It is divided into three main groups:

1. Early Position: This is the first seat to act after the blinds, known as “under the gun.” Players in this position have less information about other players’ intentions and should play conservatively, sticking to premium hands only.
2. Middle Position: These seats act after the early positions. Players can broaden their starting hand range slightly, but caution should still be exercised.
3. Late Position: These are the last seats to act before the blinds, including the dealer button. These players can see the actions of their opponents before deciding and can often play a wider range of hands, especially in aggressive strategies.

Your table position should influence your hand selection. For example, if you are in an early position, you should play tighter and stick to high pairs (e.g., Aces, Kings) and strong combinations like Ace-King suited. If you are in a middle position, you can open up your range slightly to include mid-pairs and suited connectors. If you are in a late position, you can utilize the information available and play aggressively. Add hands like suited gappers (cards one rank apart) or lower pairs. To make strategic decisions, always refer to the poker hand rankings chart to assess the strength of your hand.

Poker Hand Rankings FAQ

Many questions arise when it comes to poker hand rankings and strategy. Here are some frequently asked questions to help clarify the mWhat is the best hand in poker?

The best possible hand in poker is the Royal Flush, consisting of an Ace, King, Queen, Jack, and Ten, all of the same suit.ost common points of confusion.

What is the worst hand in poker?

While opinions vary depending on the game, 7-2 offsuit is often considered the worst starting hand in Texas Hold’em. This is because it’s both unconnected and unsuited, giving it a very low chance of making a winning combination.

How are hands ranked in poker?

Poker hands are ranked based on the likelihood of occurrence. The rarer the hand, the stronger it is considered.

Do suits matter in poker rankings?

In most cases, suits do not impact poker hand rankings. For example, a Flush made entirely of Hearts ranks the same as one made of Spades. However, suits can come into play when determining who wins a high card tie in certain games.

Play Poker at Blue Lake Casino Hotel

Ready to put your poker skills to the test? Visit us at Blue Lake Casino Hotel for a lively poker experience perfect for players of all levels. Enjoy a welcoming gaming atmosphere with various poker tables and skilled dealers. Practice your skills and memorize the poker hand rankings chart, or fine tune your game to increase your mastery and your winnings. While you’re here, you can also take time out to listen to live entertainment, enjoy a delicious meal, or treat yourself in our spa. Visit us today!