When the time comes to decide who gets the pot
(showdown), there is a set of hand rankings
that is almost universally accepted to determine
who wins. These are listed below from strongest
to weakest.
If two or more hands are of the same ranking,
the winner is the one having the higher images/cards.
For example, a Flush with an Ace high beats
a Flush with a King high. If the hands are still
tied, then it is the highest card not being
held in common (the kicker) that determines
the winner.
In the event of hands being absolutely identical
in ranking, the pot will be split evenly between
the two or more winning players. If there is
an odd chip, the winning player to the left
of the button/dealer will receive it.
Cards
are ranked with the Ace the highest card, followed
by the King, Queen, Jack, Ten, and Nine and
down to the Two, known as a Deuce. In most games,
an Ace can also play below a Deuce for straights
or as the lowest card.
All poker hands consist only of the best five
cards available. Suits are never used to break
ties, spades are not better than clubs. After
all betting rounds are complete all players
remaining in the hand showdown their cards (or
discard, fold). In order the poker hand rankings
are:
Royal Flush
1.
Royal Flush: This is the most valuable
hand in all of poker. A Royal Flush is composed
of Ace, King, Queen, Jack and 10, all of the
same suit
Straight Flush
2.
Straight Flush: is comprised of five
cards in numerical order, all of the same suit.
If there are two Straight Flushes at the table,
then whichever hand's Straight Flush reaches
the highest card value wins.
4-of-a-Kind
3.
Four of a Kind: Four cards of the same
rank, for example four kings, plus any fifth
card. As always, higher ranks are better.
Full House
4. Full House: Three cards
of the same rank, with a pair of another rank.
The higher ranking three cards determine which
full house beats the other.
Flush
5. Flush: Five cards of the
same suit, regardless of their numerical rank.
When comparing flushes, they are ranked from
the top card on down. If two flushes have exactly
the same cards, this is a tie and a pot would
be split.
Straight
6. Straight: Five sequential
cards, regardless of their suits. An Ace can
be used to make either a "Broadway"
straight of AKQJT or a "wheel" straight
of 5432A. In a tie, whoever's Straight goes
to a higher ranking card wins.
3-of-a-Kind
7. Three of a Kind: Three cards
of the same rank, with two unpaired cards. As
always, a higher ranked three of a kind defeats
a lower ranked three of a kind. In flop games
it is possible for both players to have the
same three of a kind, in which case the two
unrelated "kicker" cards would determine
the winner. If the two hands are identical,
the pot is split.
Two Pair
8.
Two Pair: Two cards of one rank, two
cards of another rank and a kicker of a third
rank. Two hands of the same rank, split the
pot.
One Pair
9. One Pair: Two cards of the
same rank and three random cards. A higher pair
defeats a lower pair. When players have the
same pair, the highest kicker cards would determine
the winner.
High Card
10.
High Card: If none of the players have
anything of value, the player holding the highest
valued card wins, with the 2 as the lowest card,
and the Ace as the highest.
