Understanding poker hand rankings is the foundation of every great poker strategy. Whether you play Texas Hold’em, Omaha, or Stud, knowing which hand beats what can make the difference between a winning session and a frustrating loss.
In this guide from XPoker24, we’ll walk you through all poker hands ranked in order — from the unbeatable Royal Flush to the humble High Card. You’ll also learn how ties are broken, how odds work, and how these rankings apply to different poker variations.
Poker Hands Ranked: From Best to Worst
1. Royal Flush
The highest hand in poker, a Royal Flush consists of A, K, Q, J, 10 — all of the same suit. It’s the rarest and most powerful hand in any game, and even long-time players may never see one in action.
Beats: Every other poker hand
Combinations: 4
2. Straight Flush
A Straight Flush is made of five consecutive cards of the same suit, such as 5-6-7-8-9 of hearts. Only the Royal Flush ranks higher.
Beats: All hands except Royal Flush
Combinations: 36
3. Four of a Kind
Also known as quads, this hand contains four cards of the same rank, such as four aces. It’s one of the rarest but most powerful combinations in poker.
Beats: All hands except Royal Flush and Straight Flush
Combinations: 624
4. Full House
A Full House combines three cards of one rank and two of another, like A-A-A-K-K. It’s often called a “boat.”
Beats: Flush, Straight, and all lower hands
Combinations: 3,744
5. Flush
Five cards of the same suit, not in sequence. The best hand in poker here is an Ace-high flush, which beats a King-high flush.
Beats: Straight, Three of a Kind, Two Pair, Pair, High Card
Combinations: 5,108
6. Straight
Five cards in sequence, of mixed suits — for example, 7-8-9-10-J. The top version is the Broadway Straight (10 to Ace).
Beats: Three of a Kind and lower hands
Combinations: 10,200
7. Three of a Kind
Also called Trips or Set, this hand features three cards of the same rank, such as 8-8-8.
Beats: Two Pair, Pair, High Card
Combinations: 54,912
8. Two Pair
As the name suggests, a hand with two different pairs, like J-J and 9-9.
Beats: Pair, High Card
Combinations: 123,552
9. One Pair
Any hand with two cards of the same rank, such as Q-Q. This is one of the most common poker hands ranked.
Beats: High Card
Combinations: 1,098,240
10. High Card
When no other hand qualifies, the highest single card determines the winner.
Beats: None
Combinations: 1,302,540
Poker Hands Ranked by Probability
The rarer the hand, the stronger it is. Here’s a quick look at poker hand odds in Texas Hold’em (7-card probability):
| Poker Hand | Probability | Odds Against |
| Royal Flush | 0.0032% | 30,939 to 1 |
| Straight Flush | 0.0279% | 3,589 to 1 |
| Four of a Kind | 0.168% | 594 to 1 |
| Full House | 2.60% | 37.5 to 1 |
| Flush | 3.03% | 32.1 to 1 |
| Straight | 4.62% | 20.6 to 1 |
| Three of a Kind | 4.83% | 19.7 to 1 |
| Two Pair | 23.5% | 3.26 to 1 |
| One Pair | 43.8% | 1.28 to 1 |
Tied Poker Hands: Who Wins?
When players hold the same type of hand, the winner is determined by kickers or the highest cards.
- High Card vs High Card: Highest card wins.
- Pair vs Pair: Higher pair wins; if tied, kicker decides.
- Two Pair vs Two Pair: Highest top pair wins; if tied, second pair or kicker decides.
- Three of a Kind: Highest triplet wins.
- Straight / Flush: Highest card in sequence or flush wins.
- Full House: Higher triplet wins.
- Four of a Kind: Higher quads win.
- Straight Flush: Highest straight flush wins.
If all cards are identical, the pot is split evenly.
Poker Hands in Different Variants
The poker hands ranked in order above apply to most major games including:
- Texas Hold’em
- Omaha
- Seven-Card Stud
- Draw Poker
However, there are exceptions:
- Short Deck Poker (6+) – flushes outrank full houses due to card distribution.
- Wild Card Games – five-of-a-kind is possible and beats a Royal Flush.
- Lowball Games (Razz, 2-7 Triple Draw) – the worst hand wins, but rankings are reversed.
- Badugi – uses four cards and unique rules where suits matter differently.
Learn, Practice, and Play on XPoker24
At XPoker24, we make learning and playing poker easier than ever. Our platform offers detailed guides on poker hands ranked, interactive tutorials, and free practice tables — perfect for mastering the best hands in poker before jumping into real games.
Whether you’re aiming to hit the highest hand in poker or simply improve your strategy, XPoker24 is the place to play smarter and win more.
