The Basics of Poker Hand Ranks

Understanding poker hand ranks are one of the most basic functions of the poker game. Players cannot aim to win in the game without some knowledge of poker hand ranks. These ranks essentially determine who wins when players compare their card hands to those of other players around the table.

When discussing poker hand ranks, the best hand is undoubtedly the royal flush. This hand is made up of an ace high straight of one particular suit. The next best hand in a poker game is the straight flush, which is a straight of entirely one suit. The next hands, from highest to lowest are as follows: four of a kind, full house, flush, straight, three of a kind, two pair and – finally – one pair.

When players don’t have any of the above to determine their poker hand ranks, the card that will determine the value of their hand is their highest card. For example, if players hold a 2, 4, 7, 10 and King, they do not make up any winning combination and so the king is known as the King High and thus determines the hand.