Poker Hand Rankings: All 10 Hands Ranked (Best to Worst)

Last updated: April 28, 2026

In Texas Hold'em, every player makes the best 5-card hand from their 2 hole cards and 5 community cards. Knowing which hands beat which is the single most important rule at the table — get it wrong and you'll fold winners or call with losers.

Below you'll find all 10 hand types ranked from strongest to weakest, with real deal probabilities (7-card Texas Hold'em odds), example hands, and quick strategy tips.

1. Royal Flush

Example

A♠ K♠ Q♠ J♠ T♠

Probability

0.0032%

Frequency

1 in 30,940

The best possible hand — Ace through Ten of the same suit. Unbeatable.

Tip:Slow-play it. You cannot lose.

2. Straight Flush

Example

9♥ 8♥ 7♥ 6♥ 5♥

Probability

0.028%

Frequency

1 in 3,590

Five consecutive cards of the same suit. Beaten only by a higher straight flush.

Tip:Value-bet thin. Most opponents won't believe you have it.

3. Four of a Kind (Quads)

Example

A♠ A♥ A♦ A♣ K♠

Probability

0.17%

Frequency

1 in 594

Four cards of the same rank. The fifth card (kicker) breaks ties.

Tip:Build the pot — opponents with full houses will pay you off.

4. Full House

Example

K♠ K♥ K♦ J♠ J♥

Probability

2.60%

Frequency

1 in 38

Three of a kind plus a pair. Ranked by the three-of-a-kind rank first.

Tip:Don't be afraid to raise. You're almost always winning.

5. Flush

Example

A♠ J♠ 9♠ 5♠ 2♠

Probability

3.03%

Frequency

1 in 33

Five cards of the same suit, not in sequence. Ranked by the highest card.

Tip:Check if the board is paired — your opponent may have a full house.

6. Straight

Example

T♠ 9♥ 8♦ 7♣ 6♠

Probability

4.62%

Frequency

1 in 22

Five consecutive cards of mixed suits. Ace can be high (A-K-Q-J-T) or low (A-2-3-4-5).

Tip:Watch for flush possibilities on the board — your straight may be beaten.

7. Three of a Kind

Example

Q♠ Q♥ Q♦ 8♠ 4♣

Probability

4.83%

Frequency

1 in 21

Three cards of the same rank with two unrelated cards.

Tip:Bet for value against flush and straight draws.

8. Two Pair

Example

J♠ J♥ 7♦ 7♣ A♠

Probability

23.5%

Frequency

1 in 4.3

Two separate pairs. Ranked by the higher pair, then the lower pair, then the kicker.

Tip:Be cautious on coordinated boards — straights and flushes beat you.

9. One Pair

Example

T♠ T♦ A♥ 7♠ 3♣

Probability

43.8%

Frequency

1 in 2.3

Two cards of the same rank. The most common winning hand at showdown.

Tip:Top pair top kicker is strong, but be careful of two-pair+ hands your opponents can hold.

10. High Card

Example

A♠ K♦ J♥ 8♣ 3♠

Probability

17.4%

Frequency

1 in 5.7

No combination — the highest card in your hand plays.

Tip:If you reach showdown with a high card, you usually lost the betting war. Consider bluffing earlier.

Definitions

Royal Flush

The highest possible poker hand: A-K-Q-J-10 of the same suit.

Straight Flush

Five consecutive cards of the same suit, beaten only by a higher straight flush or royal flush.

Kicker

The side card that breaks ties when two players share the same made hand type.

Quick Reference Chart

All 10 hands at a glance — sorted best to worst.

#	Hand	Example	Probability	Frequency
1	Royal Flush	A♠ K♠ Q♠ J♠ T♠	0.0032%	1 in 30,940
2	Straight Flush	9♥ 8♥ 7♥ 6♥ 5♥	0.028%	1 in 3,590
3	Four of a Kind (Quads)	A♠ A♥ A♦ A♣ K♠	0.17%	1 in 594
4	Full House	K♠ K♥ K♦ J♠ J♥	2.60%	1 in 38
5	Flush	A♠ J♠ 9♠ 5♠ 2♠	3.03%	1 in 33
6	Straight	T♠ 9♥ 8♦ 7♣ 6♠	4.62%	1 in 22
7	Three of a Kind	Q♠ Q♥ Q♦ 8♠ 4♣	4.83%	1 in 21
8	Two Pair	J♠ J♥ 7♦ 7♣ A♠	23.5%	1 in 4.3
9	One Pair	T♠ T♦ A♥ 7♠ 3♣	43.8%	1 in 2.3
10	High Card	A♠ K♦ J♥ 8♣ 3♠	17.4%	1 in 5.7

Frequently Asked Questions

What beats a flush in poker?

A Full House, Four of a Kind, Straight Flush, and Royal Flush all beat a Flush. A Flush is the 5th strongest out of 10 hand types in Texas Hold'em.

Does a straight beat a flush in Texas Hold'em?

No. A Flush (5 cards of the same suit) beats a Straight (5 consecutive cards of mixed suits). Remember: Flush > Straight in the hand rankings.

What is the probability of getting a Royal Flush?

In Texas Hold'em using your best 5 cards from 7 (2 hole + 5 community), the probability of a Royal Flush is approximately 0.0032%, or about once every 30,940 hands.

Can two players have the same poker hand?

Yes. When two players hold the same hand type, the pot is won by whoever has the higher cards (kickers). If both 5-card hands are completely identical, the pot is split equally.

How are suits ranked in poker?

In standard Texas Hold'em, suits have no ranking. Spades, hearts, diamonds, and clubs are all equal. Suits only determine whether a Flush or Straight Flush is made.

Put Your Knowledge to the Test

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