List of poker hand categories

Five playing cards – the ace, king, queen, jack and ten of hearts – spread out in a fan.
An ace-high straight flush, commonly known as a royal flush, is the best hand possible in some variants of poker.

In poker, players construct sets of five playing cards, called hands, according to the rules of the game being played.[1] Each hand has a rank, which is compared against the ranks of other hands participating in the showdown to determine who wins the pot.[2] In high games, like Texas hold 'em and seven-card stud, the highest-ranking hands win. In low games, like razz, the lowest-ranking hands win. In high-low split games, both the highest-ranking and lowest-ranking hands win, though different rules are used to rank the high and low hands.[3][4]

Each hand falls into a category determined by the patterns formed by its cards. Hands in a higher-ranking category always rank higher than hands in a lower-ranking category. Hands in the same category are ranked relative to each other by comparing the ranks of their respective cards.[5] Suits are not ranked in poker, so hands in the same category that differ by suit alone are of equal rank (e.g. J♦ 8♦ 5♦ 3♦ 2♦ has the same rank as J♣ 8♣ 5♣ 3♣ 2♣).[6] Cards in poker are ranked, from highest to lowest: A, K, Q, J, 10, 9, 8, 7, 6, 5, 4, 3 and 2.[7] However, aces have the lowest rank under high rules when forming part of a five-high straight or straight flush, such as 5♥ 4♦ 3♣ 2♣ A♠ or 5♣ 4♣ 3♣ 2♣ A♣, or when playing ace-to-five low or ace-to-six low rules.[8][9]

There are nine hand categories when using a standard 52-card deck with no wild cards, except under ace-to-five low rules where straights, flushes and straight flushes are not recognized. The fewer hands a category contains, the higher its rank.[10] There are 311,875,200 ways to deal five cards from the deck but only 2,598,960 distinct hands, because the order in which cards are dealt or arranged in a hand does not matter.[11] Moreover, since hands differing only by suit are of equal rank, there are only 7,462 distinct hand ranks when using all nine hand categories.[12][13]

Hand categories

* Only possible when using one or more wild cards
** Categorized as high card under ace-to-five low rules
Rank Name Example
0 Five of a kind*
1 Straight flush**
2 Four of a kind
3 Full house
4 Flush**
5 Straight**
6 Three of a kind
7 Two pair
8 One pair
9 High card

Five of a kind

Five of a kind, aces

Five of a kind is a poker hand containing five cards of the same rank, such as 3♥ 3♦ 3♣ 3♠ 3 ("five of a kind, threes"). It ranks above a straight flush but is only possible when using one or more wild cards, as there are only four cards of each rank in a standard 52-card deck.[8] Most commonly, five of a kind becomes possible when a joker is added to the deck as a bug, a form of wild card that may either act as a fifth ace or be used to complete any straight, flush or straight flush. Under these rules, the only possible five of a kind is five aces, such as A♥ A♦ A♣ A♠ Jkr.[7]

Each five of a kind is ranked by the rank of its quintuplet. For example, Q♠ Q♥ Q♣ Q♦ Q ranks higher than 6♣ 6♠ 6♦ 6♥ 6.[8][14]

Straight flush

"Straight flush" redirects here. For other uses, see Straight flush (disambiguation).
A jack-high straight flush

A straight flush is a poker hand containing five cards of sequential rank, all of the same suit, such as Q♥ J♥ 10♥ 9♥ 8♥ (a "queen-high straight flush").[4] It ranks below five of a kind and above four of a kind.[7] As part of a straight flush, an ace can rank either above a king or below a two, depending on the rules of the game. Under high rules, an ace can rank either high (e.g. A♥ K♥ Q♥ J♥ 10♥ is an ace-high straight flush) or low (e.g. 5♦ 4♦ 3♦ 2♦ A♦ is a five-high straight flush), but cannot rank both high and low in the same hand (e.g. Q♣ K♣ A♣ 2♣ 3♣ is an ace-high flush, not a straight flush).[8][14] Under deuce-to-seven low rules, aces can only rank high, so a hand such as 5♠ 4♠ 3♠ 2♠ A♠ is actually an ace-high flush. Under ace-to-six low rules, aces can only rank low, so a hand such as A♥ K♥ Q♥ J♥ 10♥ is actually a king-high flush.[15] Under ace-to-five low rules, straight flushes are not recognized and a hand that would be categorized as a straight flush is instead a high card hand.[9]

There are 40 possible straight flush hands and 10 distinct ranks of straight flush under high rules when using a standard 52-card deck.[12] Each straight flush is ranked by the rank of its highest-ranking card. For example, 10♣ 9♣ 8♣ 7♣ 6♣ ranks higher than 8♥ 7♥ 6♥ 5♥ 4♥, which ranks higher than 6♠ 5♠ 4♠ 3♠ 2♠. Straight flush hands that differ by suit alone, such as 7♦ 6♦ 5♦ 4♦ 3♦ and 7♠ 6♠ 5♠ 4♠ 3♠, are of equal rank.[8][14]

An ace-high straight flush, such as A♦ K♦ Q♦ J♦ 10♦, is commonly known as a royal flush or royal straight flush and is the best hand possible in high games when not using wild cards.[7][16][17] A five-high straight flush, such as 5♥ 4♥ 3♥ 2♥ A♥, is otherwise known as a steel wheel and is significant in ace-to-five high-low split games for being both the lowest-ranking low hand and usually the highest-ranking high hand of the showdown.[4]

Four of a kind

Four of a kind, fives

Four of a kind, also known as quads, is a poker hand containing four cards of the same rank and one card of another rank (the kicker), such as 9♣ 9♠ 9♦ 9♥ J♥ ("four of a kind, nines"). It ranks below a straight flush and above a full house.[7]

There are 624 possible four of a kind hands and 156 distinct ranks of four of a kind when using a standard 52-card deck.[12] Each four of a kind is ranked first by the rank of its quadruplet, and then by the rank of its kicker. For example, K♠ K♥ K♣ K♦ 3♥ ranks higher than 7♥ 7♦ 7♠ 7♣ Q♥, which ranks higher than 7♥ 7♦ 7♠ 7♣ 10♠. Four of a kind hands that differ by suit alone, such as 4♣ 4♠ 4♦ 4♥ 9♣ and 4♣ 4♠ 4♦ 4♥ 9♦, are of equal rank.[8][14]

Full house

A full house, sixes over kings

A full house, also known as a full boat (and originally called a full hand), is a poker hand containing three cards of one rank and two cards of another rank, such as 3♣ 3♠ 3♦ 6♣ 6♥ (a "full house, threes over sixes" or "threes full of sixes" or "threes full").[18][19] It ranks below four of a kind and above a flush.[7]

There are 3,744 possible full house hands and 156 distinct ranks of full house when using a standard 52-card deck.[12] Each full house is ranked first by the rank of its triplet, and then by the rank of its pair. For example, 8♠ 8♦ 8♥ 7♦ 7♣ ranks higher than 4♦ 4♠ 4♣ 9♦ 9♣, which ranks higher than 4♦ 4♠ 4♣ 5♣ 5♦. Full house hands that differ by suit alone, such as K♣ K♠ K♦ J♣ J♠ and K♣ K♥ K♦ J♣ J♥, are of equal rank.[8][14]

Flush

A jack-high flush

A flush is a poker hand containing five cards all of the same suit, not all of sequential rank, such as K♣ 10♣ 7♣ 6♣ 4♣ (a "king-high flush" or "king-ten-high flush").[20] It ranks below a full house and above a straight.[7] Under ace-to-five low rules, flushes are not recognized and a hand that would be categorized as a flush is instead a high card hand.[9]

There are 5,108 possible flush hands and 1,277 distinct ranks of flush under high rules when using a standard 52-card deck.[12] Each flush is ranked first by the rank of its highest-ranking card, then by the rank of its second highest-ranking card, then by the rank of its third highest-ranking card, then by the rank of its fourth highest-ranking card, and finally by the rank of its lowest-ranking card. For example, K♦ J♦ 9♦ 6♦ 4♦ ranks higher than Q♣ J♣ 7♣ 6♣ 5♣, which ranks higher than J♥ 10♥ 9♥ 4♥ 2♥, which ranks higher than J♠ 10♠ 8♠ 6♠ 3♠, which ranks higher than J♥ 10♥ 8♥ 4♥ 3♥, which ranks higher than J♣ 10♣ 8♣ 4♣ 2♣. Flush hands that differ by suit alone, such as 10♦ 8♦ 7♦ 6♦ 5♦ and 10♠ 8♠ 7♠ 6♠ 5♠, are of equal rank.[8][14]

Straight

A ten-high straight

A straight is a poker hand containing five cards of sequential rank, not all of the same suit, such as 7♣ 6♠ 5♠ 4♥ 3♥ (a "seven-high straight"). It ranks below a flush and above three of a kind.[7] As part of a straight, an ace can rank either above a king or below a two, depending on the rules of the game. Under high rules, an ace can rank either high (e.g. A♦ K♣ Q♣ J♦ 10♠ is an ace-high straight) or low (e.g. 5♣ 4♦ 3♥ 2♥ A♠ is a five-high straight), but cannot rank both high and low in the same hand (e.g. Q♠ K♠ A♣ 2♥ 3♦ is a high card, ace, not a straight).[8][14] Under deuce-to-seven low rules, aces can only rank high, so a hand such as 5♥ 4♠ 3♥ 2♣ A♦ is actually a high card, ace. Under ace-to-six low rules, aces can only rank low, so a hand such as A♣ K♠ Q♠ J♦ 10♠ is actually a high-card, king.[15] Under ace-to-five low rules, straights are not recognized and a hand that would be categorized as a straight is instead a high card hand.[9]

There are 10,200 possible straight hands and 10 distinct ranks of straight under high rules when using a standard 52-card deck.[12] Each straight is ranked by the rank of its highest-ranking card. For example, J♥ 10♥ 9♣ 8♠ 7♥ ranks higher than 10♠ 9♠ 8♣ 7♥ 6♠, which ranks higher than 6♣ 5♠ 4♥ 3♠ 2♦. Straight hands that differ by suit alone, such as 9♣ 8♣ 7♣ 6♦ 5♦ and 9♠ 8♣ 7♠ 6♥ 5♥, are of equal rank.[8][14]

An ace-high straight, such as A♣ K♣ Q♦ J♠ 10♠, is otherwise known as a broadway straight,[21] while a five-high straight, such as 5♠ 4♦ 3♦ 2♠ A♥, is otherwise known as a baby straight,[22] bicycle or wheel and is the best possible hand in ace-to-five low games where it is instead categorized as a high card hand.[23][24]

Three of a kind

Three of a kind, queens

Three of a kind, also known as trips or a set, is a poker hand containing three cards of the same rank and two cards of two other ranks (the kickers), such as 2♦ 2♠ 2♣ K♠ 6♥ ("three of a kind, twos" or "trip twos" or a "set of twos"). It ranks below a straight and above two pair.[7]

There are 54,912 possible three of a kind hands and 858 distinct ranks of three of a kind when using a standard 52-card deck.[12] Each three of a kind is ranked first by the rank of its triplet, then by the rank of its highest-ranking kicker, and finally by the rank of its lowest-ranking kicker. For example, 6♥ 6♦ 6♠ Q♣ 4♠ ranks higher than 3♦ 3♠ 3♣ K♠ 2♠, which ranks higher than 3♦ 3♠ 3♣ J♣ 7♥, which ranks higher than 3♦ 3♠ 3♣ J♠ 5♦. Three of a kind hands that differ by suit alone, such as 9♠ 9♥ 9♦ 10♦ 8♥ and 9♣ 9♠ 9♥ 10♦ 8♦, are of equal rank.[8][14]

In community card games, such as Texas hold 'em, three of a kind is called a set only when it comprises a pocket pair and a third card on the board.[25]

Two pair

Two pair, jacks and threes

Two pair is a poker hand containing two cards of the same rank, two cards of another rank and one card of a third rank (the kicker), such as J♥ J♣ 4♣ 4♠ 9♥ ("two pair, jacks and fours" or "two pair, jacks over fours" or "jacks up").[18][26] It ranks below three of a kind and above one pair.[7]

There are 123,552 possible two pair hands and 858 distinct ranks of two pair when using a standard 52-card deck.[12] Each two pair is ranked first by the rank of its highest-ranking pair, then by the rank of its lowest-ranking pair, and finally by the rank of its kicker. For example, 10♦ 10♠ 2♠ 2♣ K♣ ranks higher than 5♣ 5♠ 4♦ 4♥ 10♥, which ranks higher than 5♣ 5♠ 3♣ 3♦ Q♠, which ranks higher than 5♣ 5♠ 3♣ 3♦ J♠. Two pair hands that differ by suit alone, such as K♦ K♠ 7♦ 7♥ 8♥ and K♣ K♠ 7♣ 7♥ 8♣, are of equal rank.[8][14]

One pair

One pair, tens

One pair, or simply a pair, is a poker hand containing two cards of the same rank and three cards of three other ranks (the kickers), such as 4♥ 4♠ K♠ 10♦ 5♠ ("one pair, fours" or a "pair of fours"). It ranks below two pair and above high card.[7]

There are 1,098,240 possible one pair hands and 2,860 distinct ranks of one pair when using a standard 52-card deck.[12] Each one pair is ranked first by the rank of its pair, then by the rank of its highest-ranking kicker, then by the rank of its second highest-ranking kicker, and finally by the rank of its lowest-ranking kicker. For example, 9♣ 9♦ Q♠ J♥ 5♥ ranks higher than 6♦ 6♥ K♠ 7♥ 4♣, which ranks higher than 6♦ 6♥ Q♥ J♠ 2♣, which ranks higher than 6♦ 6♥ Q♠ 8♣ 7♦, which ranks higher than 6♦ 6♥ Q♦ 8♥ 3♠. One pair hands that differ by suit alone, such as 8♠ 8♦ 10♥ 6♣ 5♠ and 8♥ 8♣ 10♣ 6♠ 5♣, are of equal rank.[8][14]

High card

High card, king

High card, also known as no pair or simply nothing, is a poker hand containing five cards not all of sequential rank or of the same suit, and none of which are of the same rank, such as K♥ J♥ 8♣ 7♦ 4♠ ("high card, king" or "king-jack-high" or "king-high").[18][27] Under ace-to-five low rules, where straights, flushes and straight flushes are not recognized, hands that would fall into these categories are also high card hands.[9] It ranks below one pair.[7]

There are 1,302,540 possible high cards hands and 1,277 distinct ranks of high card hand under high rules when using a standard 52-card deck.[12] Each high card hand is ranked first by the rank of its highest-ranking card, then by the rank of its second highest-ranking card, then by the rank of its third highest-ranking card, then by the rank of its fourth highest-ranking card, and finally by the rank of its lowest-ranking card. For example, K♠ 6♣ 5♥ 3♦ 2♣ ranks higher than Q♠ J♦ 6♣ 5♥ 3♣, which ranks higher than Q♠ 10♦ 8♣ 7♦ 4♠, which ranks higher than Q♥ 10♥ 7♣ 6♥ 4♠, which ranks higher than Q♣ 10♣ 7♦ 5♣ 4♦, which ranks higher than Q♥ 10♦ 7♠ 5♠ 2♥. High card hands that differ by suit alone, such as 10♣ 8♠ 7♠ 6♥ 4♦ and 10♦ 8♦ 7♠ 6♣ 4♣, are of equal rank.[8][14]

Under deuce-to-seven low rules, a seven-five-high hand, such as 7♠ 5♣ 4♦ 3♦ 2♣, is the best hand possible.[28] Under ace-to-six low rules, where aces have the lowest rank, a six-four-high hand, such as 6♣ 4♠ 3♥ 2♥ A♦, is the best hand possible.[29] Under ace-to-five low rules, where aces have the lowest rank and straights, flushes and straights are not recognized, a five-high hand, such as 5♣ 4♠ 3♥ 2♥ A♦ or 5♠ 4♠ 3♠ 2♠ A♠, commonly known as a bicycle or wheel, is the best hand possible.[9][23]

See also

References

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  1. ↑ Krieger, Lou (2006). "What is Poker?". The Poker Player's Bible. South Africa: Struik Publishers. pp. 12–14. ISBN 978-1-77007-469-9.
  2. ↑ Harrock, Richard (2011). "The Basics of Play". Poker for Dummies, Mini Edition. United States of America: Wiley Publishing, Inc. ISBN 978-0-470-05565-6.
  3. ↑ Sklansky, David (2005). The Theory of Poker. United States of America: Two Plus Two Publishing LLC. p. 2. ISBN 1-880685-00-0.
  4. 1 2 3 Braids, Sam (2003). The Intelligent Guide to Texas Hold'em. Towson, Maryland: Intelligent Games Publishing. p. 166. ISBN 0-9677551-2-3.
  5. ↑ "Poker Hands Order – Poker Hand Rankings at PokerStars". www.pokerstars.com. Retrieved 12 July 2016.
  6. ↑ "Poker Hand Ranking | Official World Series of Poker Online". www.wsop.com. Retrieved 12 July 2016.
  7. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 Krieger, Lou (2006). The Poker Player's Bible. South Africa: Struik Publishers. pp. 30–34. ISBN 978-1-77007-469-9.
  8. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 Greiner, Ron (2005). The Everyday Guide to Recreational Poker. Everyday Endeavors, LLC. pp. 46–60. ISBN 0-9769703-0-9.
  9. 1 2 3 4 5 6 Scott, Alex (2010). "How to Play Lowball Draw". What I Know about Poker: Lessons in Texas Hold'em, Omaha and Other Poker Games. p. 24. ISBN 978-0-9567151-3-5.
  10. ↑ "Probability: 5-Card Poker Hands". www.math.hawaii.edu. Retrieved 12 July 2016.
  11. ↑ Bourne, Murray. "Probability and Poker". www.intmath.com. Retrieved 12 July 2016.
  12. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 Berg, Henry (13 May 2013). "FiveCardSingleDeckHands.txt". Code Throwdown. Retrieved 13 July 2016.
  13. ↑ "How many poker hands are there?". Retrieved 13 July 2016.
  14. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 Kreiger, Lou; Bykofsky, Sheree (2006). The Rules of Poker. Lyle Stuart. pp. 99–102. ISBN 0-8184-0660-7.
  15. 1 2 "Lowball Hand Rankings". playlowballpoker.com. Retrieved 5 August 2016.
  16. ↑ Miller, Ed; Sklansky, David; Malmuth, Mason (2005). Small Stakes Hold 'em. United States of America: Two Plus Two Publishing LLC. pp. 343–358. ISBN 1-880685-32-9.
  17. ↑ Taylor, David G. (2015). The Mathematics of Games: An Introduction to Probability. CRC Press. pp. 49–51. ISBN 978-1-4822-3543-2.
  18. 1 2 3 Wenzel, John (2004). The Everything Poker Strategy Book. United States of America: F+W Publications, Inc. pp. 6–10. ISBN 1-59337-140-3.
  19. ↑ "Online Etymology Dictionary". www.etymonline.com. Retrieved 1 August 2016.
  20. ↑ Sklansky, David (2007). The Theory of Poker. Two Plus Two Publishing LLC. p. 124. ISBN 1-880685-00-0.
  21. ↑ Erickson, David (2015). "3.2.5.3 Broadway straight". Superior Texas Hold'em: Evolved Poker Strategy. United States of America: Evergent Teknologies. ISBN 978-0-9938197-0-4.
  22. ↑ Zee, Ray (2007). High-Low-Split Poker, Seven-Card Stud and Omaha Eight-or-better for Advanced Players. United States of America: Two Plus Two Publishing LLC. p. 323. ISBN 978-1-880685-10-5.
  23. 1 2 Sklansky, David (2005). "Glossary of Poker Terms". The Theory of Poker. United States of America: Two Plus Two Publishing LLC. pp. 277–293. ISBN 1-880685-00-0.
  24. ↑ Malmuth, Mason (1998). "Ace-to-Five Lowball". Winning Concepts in Draw and Lowball (2nd ed.). United States of America: Two Plus Two Publishing. p. 45. ISBN 1-880685-07-8.
  25. ↑ Sklansky, David (2004). Small Stakes Hold 'Em (1 ed.). Two Plus Two Publishing. p. 127. ISBN 978-1-880685-32-7.
  26. ↑ Cardoza, Avery (2012). Poker Talk. Cardoza Publishing. ISBN 978-1-58042-502-5.
  27. ↑ Gelling, Jonathan (2009). Poker Tips that Pay. Play to Pay Publishing. p. 333. ISBN 978-0-9840822-9-2.
  28. ↑ Kimberg, Daniel (2002). Serious Poker. ConJelCo LLC. pp. 229–277. ISBN 1-886070-16-4.
  29. ↑ "WSOP | How To Play | How To Play Lowball Poker". www.wsop.com. Retrieved 4 August 2016.
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