An Introduction to Poker Hand Rankings
For those interested in poker, you might have already heard, read, or watched what poker is about. You might have even researched up on how poker is played, and what its mechanics are. If you would want to venture in playing this fun, exciting, and profitable game, then it would be good for you to not only some general information about the game, but its defining mechanisms as well. One such defining mechanism is poker hand rankings.
For those who are not yet familiar, a combination of cards is what constitutes a hand. Values are then assigned to certain patterns that emerge from these hand combinations. Varying card combinations constitute a hierarchy, or what we now call as poker hand rankings.
In poker, individual cards also are assigned value, which, from highest to lowest, would be Ace, King, Queen, Jack, 10, 9, 8, 7, 6, 5, 4, 3, 2, and then Ace. The value of ace differs depending on the cards it combines with: it is usually considered high, unless a part of a low straight of A-2-3-4-5. No values are given to suits, and are only used for creating certain patterns. It is also important to remember that hands are judged first according to ranking before the individual cards are valued.
Below are the poker hand rankings, valued from highest to lowest:
1. Straight Flush
The straight flush is considered to be the highest poker hand ranking. It is made by having five consecutive cards of the same suit. The highest possible straight flush is A-K-Q-J-10 of the same suit, which is called the royal flush.
2. Four-of-a-kind
The four-of-a-kind is so called because it is made up of four cards with the same value, and a different card (called a "kicker"). An example of this is 8-8-8-8-K.
3. Full house
The poker hand ranking of full house is made by having two cards of the same value, along with another three same-valued cards. An example is 8-8-8-K-K.
4. Flush
The flush is made by having five cards of the same suit that are not consecutive. An example of this is Ace of Hearts-3 of Hearts-6 of Hearts-8 of Hearts-King of Hearts.
5. Straight
The straight is a poker hand ranking made by having five cards that are consecutive but are not of the same suit. An example of this is 8 of Hearts-9 of Spades-10 of Diamonds-J of Hearts-Q of Clubs.
6. Three-of-a-kind
The three-of-a-kind is so called because it is made up of three same-valued cards, along with two cards with different values. An example is 8-8-8-K-Q.
7. Two Pair
The two pair is a poker hand ranking made of two same-valued cards, another two same-valued cards, and a kicker. An example is 8-8-6-6-J.
8. Pair
A pair is made by having two same-valued cards, and three cards with different values. An example is 8-8-6-K-Q.
9. High Card
In the instance that none of the patterns above appeared, the hand is considered a high-card hand. High card hands are judged according to the highest valued card that they have. An example is A-3-8-10-Q, which are not in the same suit. In this case, the hand is judged by its high-value card, which is Ace.
A mastery of poker hand rankings determines if one could create an effective strategy in poker. Remember, familiarity and practice is what a beginner needs in order to improve one's skills, and enjoy the game.