Poker Hands Chart (Best to Worst)
In poker, every hand is made of the best five cards. When two players reach a showdown, the higher-ranking hand wins. Here is the complete poker winning hand chart, ranked from strongest to weakest, with an example of each. Red suits (♥♦) and black suits (♠♣) are shown so you can read this poker ranking hands chart at a glance.
| # | Hand | Example |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Royal Flush | A♠ K♠ Q♠ J♠ 10♠ |
| 2 | Straight Flush | 9♥ 8♥ 7♥ 6♥ 5♥ |
| 3 | Four of a Kind | Q♠ Q♥ Q♦ Q♣ 7♠ |
| 4 | Full House | K♠ K♥ K♣ 5♦ 5♠ |
| 5 | Flush | A♣ J♣ 8♣ 6♣ 3♣ |
| 6 | Straight | 9♠ 8♦ 7♣ 6♥ 5♠ |
| 7 | Three of a Kind | 7♠ 7♥ 7♣ K♦ 2♠ |
| 8 | Two Pair | J♠ J♦ 4♣ 4♥ 9♠ |
| 9 | One Pair | 10♠ 10♥ A♣ 7♦ 2♠ |
| 10 | High Card | A♠ J♥ 8♣ 5♦ 2♠ |
Quick rule of thumb
The harder a hand is to make, the higher it ranks. A Royal Flush is the rarest, so it always wins; a High Card is the easiest to have, so it ranks last. When two players share the same hand type, the higher cards (and "kickers") decide the winner.
1. Royal Flush
The Royal Flush is the best possible hand in poker. It is the 10, Jack, Queen, King, and Ace — all of the same suit. It is really just the highest version of a straight flush, but it is so iconic it gets its own name. A Royal Flush can never be beaten; it can only tie with another Royal Flush, in which case the pot is split.
2. Straight Flush
A Straight Flush is five cards in sequence, all of the same suit — for example 5-6-7-8-9 of hearts. It is the second-strongest hand and is beaten only by a higher straight flush or a Royal Flush. If two players both hold a straight flush, the one with the higher top card wins.
3. Four of a Kind
Four of a Kind (also called "quads") is all four cards of the same rank — for example four Queens. The fifth card, the kicker, only matters if two players somehow have the same quads. Four of a Kind beats a full house and everything below it.
4. Full House
A Full House is three cards of one rank plus a pair of another rank — for example three Kings and two 5s, called "Kings full of fives." It ranks above a flush and below four of a kind. When two players both have a full house, the higher three-of-a-kind wins (so "Kings full" beats "Queens full" regardless of the pair).
5. Flush
A Flush is any five cards of the same suit that are not in sequence — for example A, J, 8, 6, 3 of clubs. The suits don't rank against each other; if two players both have a flush, the one with the highest card wins, then the next-highest, and so on. A flush beats a straight, because it's harder to make.
6. Straight
A Straight is five cards in sequence of mixed suits — for example 5-6-7-8-9 with different suits. The Ace can be high (10-J-Q-K-A) or low (A-2-3-4-5, the "wheel"). Between two straights, the one with the higher top card wins.
7. Three of a Kind
Three of a Kind (or "trips"/"a set") is three cards of the same rank plus two unrelated cards — for example three 7s. It beats two pair and below. If two players have the same three of a kind (only possible with community cards), the higher kickers break the tie.
8. Two Pair
Two Pair is exactly what it sounds like: two cards of one rank and two of another — for example two Jacks and two 4s. The higher pair is compared first, then the lower pair, then the kicker. Two pair is one of the most common winning hands in Texas Hold'em.
9. One Pair
One Pair is two cards of the same rank plus three unrelated cards — for example a pair of 10s. When two players each have a pair, the higher pair wins; if the pairs are equal, the highest kicker decides it. A single pair wins plenty of small pots.
10. High Card
High Card is the weakest hand — you have not made even a single pair, so your hand is judged purely on your highest card. For example, Ace-high beats King-high. It's the most common hand you'll be dealt, and it still wins when everyone else also misses.
Best Poker Starting Hands
Hand rankings tell you what wins at showdown, but in Texas Hold'em the two cards you start with (your "hole cards") decide whether you should even play. The best poker starting hands are the ones most likely to make a strong five-card hand:
- Pocket Aces (A-A) — the strongest starting hand in poker, often called "pocket rockets."
- Pocket Kings (K-K) and Pocket Queens (Q-Q) — premium pairs that dominate most hands.
- Ace-King suited (A-K) — "big slick," a powerful drawing hand that hits top pair or better often.
- Other big pairs and suited high cards — J-J, 10-10, A-Q, K-Q play well, especially in good position.
Weak starting hands like 7-2 offsuit (the worst starting hand in Hold'em) are usually best folded before the flop. Strong starting hands plus the hand rankings above are the foundation of winning poker.
What Beats What — Common Questions
A few matchups trip up new players more than any others:
- Does a flush beat a straight? Yes — a flush is harder to make, so it ranks higher.
- Does a full house beat a flush? Yes — a full house ranks above a flush.
- Does three of a kind beat two pair? Yes — three of a kind is rarer and ranks higher.
- Does a straight beat three of a kind? Yes — a straight outranks three of a kind.
- What breaks a tie? The higher cards within the hand, and then the "kicker" — the highest unmatched card.
Now that you know the rankings, put them to use. Play Texas Hold'em free — no download, no signup, no real money.
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Frequently Asked Questions
What is the highest hand in poker?
The Royal Flush is the highest possible hand — the 10, Jack, Queen, King, and Ace all of the same suit. It cannot be beaten and only ties with another Royal Flush, in which case the pot is split.
What is a full house in poker?
A full house is three cards of one rank plus two cards of another — for example three Kings and two 5s ("Kings full of fives"). It ranks above a flush and below four of a kind. When two players both have one, the higher three-of-a-kind wins.
What is a royal flush in poker?
A royal flush is the best hand in poker: the 10, Jack, Queen, King, and Ace, all of the same suit. It is the Ace-high version of a straight flush and is the rarest hand to make, which is why it always wins.
What is a straight flush in poker?
A straight flush is five cards in sequence that are all the same suit — for example 5-6-7-8-9 of hearts. It is the second-highest hand, beaten only by a royal flush.
Does a flush beat a straight?
Yes. A flush (five cards of the same suit) beats a straight (five cards in sequence of mixed suits), because a flush is harder to make.
What is the lowest hand in poker?
High Card is the lowest-ranking hand. It means you have not made any pair or better, so your hand is judged by its single highest card.
What is the worst hand in poker?
The worst made hand is the lowest possible High Card — 7-5-4-3-2 of mixed suits, with no pair, straight, or flush. As a Texas Hold'em starting hand, 7-2 offsuit is considered the worst two cards to be dealt, because they can't make a straight together and rarely win.
What are the best poker starting hands?
The best starting hands in Texas Hold'em are pocket Aces (A-A), pocket Kings (K-K), pocket Queens (Q-Q), and Ace-King (A-K), especially when suited. These hands are most likely to make a strong five-card hand and are worth raising with from any position.