Online Texas Hold'em Poker

The Simplest Guide to Poker Hands

One thing that bewilders most first-time- poker players is the hierarchy of poker hands. It gets especially confusing when they find themselves playing different variations of poker where the hierarchy of poker hands is slightly modified.

If you still can't make yourself remember what's what in poker hands, this guide shall help you find the right path in the game. And we absolutely guarantee that you won't find anything difficult in our explanations on poker hands!

Important Reminder: When studying the different poker hands, always remember the hierarchy of suits: diamonds are the highest, followed by hearts, spades and finally clubs. Remember the card values as well: ace is always the highest while two is the lowest!

Royal Flush - This is the highest of all poker hands. You get this by linking the cards A, K, Q, J and 10. All four suits must belong to just one suit only!

Straight Flush - Poker hands that are referred to as straight flushes are just like how royal flushes are made; five consecutive cards that belong to the same suit. This time, it can start and end on any number. But remember - hands can't "turn around the corner" so the cards Q, K, A, 2 and 3 can't count as a straight flush.

Four of a Kind - The third highest of all poker hands, it is formed as its name suggests.

Full House - Many people are often confused with the fourth highest of poker hands because of its misleading name. How can three of a kind and a pair form a full house, after all?

Flush - Poker hands that are called flushes are made up of 5 cards of the same suits but of different values.

Straight - Poker hands are called such because the five cards can be arranged in a straight, numerical manner like 5, 6, 7, 8 and 9. Straights do not need to belong to the same suit. If they did, they wouldn't be a straight but a straight flush!

3 of a kind - Simply three of the same value such as three Jacks.

2 Pair - Habving two of a kind in two different values such as two 5's and two Queens. The higher of the two pairs is counted first so Two Aces and Two 2's beats two Kings and two Queens.

Pair - Simply have two of a kind such as two 10's.

High Card - If there is nothing else and no other hands can be made, the pot is won bu whoever has the highest card in their hand. If it gets down to this I would bet that someone was bluffing!

Wild Cards - Poker hands that can use wild cards have better chances of winning. A wild card is usually represented by the joker and can count as anything. When a wild card is present, the highest of poker hands would then have to be the five of a kind. Regular poker versions however do not use wild cards.

We hope you learned something from our poker hands. And remember, anytime you get confused - just consult this article once more and you'll be absolutely A-Ok!