Looking for the poker hand rankings? Royal Flush is the strongest hand, High Card is the weakest. The chart below shows all 10 standard poker hands from strongest to weakest.
If two players have different hand types, the higher-ranked hand wins. If they make the same hand, compare the cards that make it, then the kickers when the hand allows it.
Strongest to Weakest
Poker Hand Rankings Chart
Start at the top. A hand beats every hand listed below it. If both players make the same type of hand, use the tie-break rule in the last column.
| Rank | Hand | Example | If Both Players Have It |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Royal Flush | A♠ K♠ Q♠ J♠ 10♠ | Split the pot if the best five cards are identical. |
| 2 | Straight Flush | 9♥ 8♥ 7♥ 6♥ 5♥ | The higher top card wins. |
| 3 | Four of a Kind | K♠ K♥ K♦ K♣ 7♠ | Compare the four matching cards, then the kicker. |
| 4 | Full House | Q♠ Q♥ Q♦ 8♣ 8♠ | Compare the three-of-a-kind part first, then the pair. |
| 5 | Flush | A♣ J♣ 8♣ 5♣ 2♣ | Compare the highest card, then continue downward. |
| 6 | Straight | 9♠ 8♥ 7♦ 6♣ 5♠ | The higher top card wins. |
| 7 | Three of a Kind | 7♠ 7♥ 7♦ K♣ 3♠ | Compare the trips first, then the kickers. |
| 8 | Two Pair | A♠ A♥ 8♣ 8♦ 4♠ | Compare the higher pair, lower pair, then the kicker. |
| 9 | One Pair | J♠ J♥ A♦ 8♣ 3♠ | Compare the pair first, then the kickers from highest to lowest. |
| 10 | High Card | A♠ J♥ 9♦ 6♣ 3♠ | Compare the highest cards in order until one is higher. |
At Showdown
How to Compare Poker Hands
Most showdowns can be settled in three steps.
Compare the hand type
The higher-ranked hand wins. High cards in a lower-ranked hand do not change the ranking order.
Compare the cards that make the hand
If both players have the same type of hand, compare its key cards. A King-high Straight, for example, beats a Queen-high Straight.
Check the kickers if needed
Kickers can decide One Pair, Two Pair, Three of a Kind and Four of a Kind. If both players have the same best five cards, the pot is split.
Worth Knowing
Three Poker Hand Rules That Matter at Showdown
Suits do not break ties
Spades do not outrank hearts, diamonds or clubs. If two players have exactly the same best five cards, they split the pot.
Ace can be high or low in a Straight
A-K-Q-J-10 is the highest Straight, while A-2-3-4-5 is the lowest. Q-K-A-2-3 is not a Straight.
You do not have to use a hole card
Texas Hold’em uses the best five cards available. If all five community cards make your best hand, the board can play by itself.
Other Formats
Do These Rankings Apply to Every Poker Game?
Texas Hold’em and Pot-Limit Omaha use the standard high-hand order shown above. Omaha uses the same rankings, but players must build their hand with exactly two hole cards and three community cards.
Some variants work differently. Short Deck can use a different ranking order depending on the rules in play, while Razz and other lowball games reward low hands instead of the strongest high hand.
Related Guides
Hand Definitions and Common Matchups
Use the hand guide to check how each poker hand is formed. For specific comparisons such as Flush vs Straight or Full House vs Flush, use the matchup guide.
Poker Hand Rankings
See how each of the 10 poker hands is made, with examples and the rules used to compare the same hand type.
Flush vs Straight, Full House vs Flush
Check common hand matchups and tie-break rules, including Flush vs Straight and Full House vs Flush.
