Poker is a game of strategy and chance, yet even the poorest hands can win a round with the proper gameplay. This article will discuss all the possible hand combinations in poker and how best to use strategies when playing with them. These hands are ranked from best to worst, so the further you go down, the less powerful the hand is.
Royal Flush: The Ultimate Hand
Regarded as the best hand in poker, a royal flush comprises an ace, king, queen, jack, and ten — all of the same suit. The highest five value cards in poker align to make a winner out of any player. This beats any other hand, with no exception. However, the probability of getting a royal flush is extremely rare, with the odds being precisely 649,739 to 1, quantifying just how prestigious and influential this hand is.
Players who have an inclination to get this hand should think long and hard about whether to go all the way to see it to the end due to its extreme rarity.
Straight Flush: Attainable Excellence
A royal flush requires a specific set of five cards, yet the straight flush is a lot more attainable, with a player only requiring a sequence of five cards, irrespective of their value. This could be 7-6-5-4-3 or five sequential cards of the same suit. This is the second highest-hand possibility and is only trumped by the rare royal flush.
If two players are fortunate enough to have amassed a straight flush, the player with the highest value sequence wins.
Four of a Kind: Quadruple Rank
Another exceptionally well-thought-of hand, a four of a kind, can be challenging to amass, given that all four cards of a specific rank need to be in your hand or the community card collection. A four of a kind can include a set of four cards, whether it be four 3s, four jacks, etc. However, it is better to have a higher value. If another player has a four of a kind hand, the higher-value hand will prevail as the winning hand.
If players have two of a kind in their hands and can see the same rank on the community cards, then there’s a good chance they can win through this combination that is well-regarded in the poker hand rankings.
Full House: Decent Wins
With its origins long before the television show of the same name, a full house is a higher-mid hand combination in which a player has both three of a kind (see below) and a pair. This could be three 6s and then two 3s. The player may have one of each value in their hand, giving them a decent edge. A player with that combo or two of the same value in their hand should chase glory, as they will have a decent chance of succeeding.
Remember, however, that not all houses are the same size. Given that it is possible for multiple players to have a full house hand, the player with the highest three of a kind element in their entire house will claim the spoils.
Straight: Medium Strength with Volatility
A straight hand is when a player can put together a sequence of five cards, i.e., 3-4-5-6-7. This is similar to a straight flush, but the cards do NOT need to be of the same suit. It’s a medium to high-strength hand, and, as such, it’s a lot more common than the hands stated above. Therefore, it is always worth assessing whether other players have this hand.
If the community cards have three sequential cards, it is worth analyzing the strength of the hand. If a player has the lower end in their possession, i.e., 4 and 5, and the community cards show 6-7-8, it could be that another player has 9 and 10 in their hand. In this instance, a higher straight value will always win.
Three of a Kind: Risky Business
A three of a kind is decent but still represents quite a bit of risk, depending on the cards a player relies on. If a player has two high cards and uses another of the same value in the community collection, it may triumph. It could quickly lose out to another three of a kind hand if it’s a lower kind.
Multiple players can have a three of a kind hand, and the highest-value trio will win. Players need to appreciate this, as a three 3s could quickly be quashed by another set of triplets, with the higher value always a winner. Players must also consider that another person at the table may have a full house, incorporating another set of three.
Two Pair
A two pair is where a player has two matching pairs of cards, i.e., having two 3s and two 4s. It’s one of the weaker hands and only beats a few other varieties. Players claiming a two pair should consider the strength of their pairs, as other players may have higher pairs, i.e., a player with aces in their two pairs would win.
In addition, another player might use the same two pairs in the community cards to form a better hand, like a full house.
One Pair
This is the lowest combination of cards possible, where a player claims only a single pair of cards. It is seldom the best on the table, especially when playing with more extensive tables. Pairs of aces, kings, and queens may be good enough to better another player if they have the same hand type. However, it is not suggested that one rely on the strength of one pair all the time as it is a feeble hand.
High Card
If a hand fulfills none of the criteria for the hands listed above, then the player has the worst possible hand, the high card. Simply put, this hand relies on the highest-value card to better everybody else’s high card.
Given that this hand can only beat other high-card hands, it is seldom worth relying on to win. This is especially true if there are multiple players at the table, as this hand is likely to be defeated. However, if just a few players contest the game or it is a social game, it might be worth seeing if a king can win via the high-card hand.
External Factors
Of course, the cards are just one element of playing poker. Reading and analyzing the other player’s behavior makes up a lot of success that the best players rely on to win hands. Bluffing, calling bluffs, and the context of the game in play make any live game of poker so much more than just the relative strength of a hand. Be sure to consider these elements for a holistic assessment of each hand.
There are many players out there who believe that even a modest high card can win through the proper execution. Manipulation of the other players and reading the room and table can allow this metaphorical David to overcome a Goliath hand, even if the odds are against the remedial hand.
