This might seem like an overly basic lesson, but you would be surprised at just how many people still have doubts when it comes to “what beats what” at the poker table.  I’ve seen players argue that their four of a kind trumps a straight flush and some who believe that a full house beats practically anything.  All of this is Basic Poker 101, but in case you need a little refresher course, here are the ranks of all the winning poker hands, along with their definitions, listed from best to worse.

Royal Flush:  A ten to ace straight (Ten, Jack, Queen, King, Ace) where all five cards are of the same suit, such as all hearts or all clubs.

Straight Flush:  Any straight where all five cards are of the same suit.

Four of a Kind:  Any four cards of the same rank, such as four aces or four queens.

Full House:  A combination of three cards of the same rank and a different two cards of the same rank.  For example, three aces and two nine’s are a full house.

Flush:  Any five cards of the same suit, with the highest card determining the rank of the flush.

Straight:  Any five consecutive cards (Example:  Jack, ten, nine, eight, seven).

Three of a Kind:  Any three kinds of the same rank.

Two Pair:  A combination of two same ranked cards combined with a different set of two same ranked cards.  The highest pair of the two determines the rank of the hand.

One Pair:  Any two cards of the same rank.

High Card:  Any hand where no pair, straight or flush applies.

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