Texas Hold'em hand rankings from strongest to weakest
In Texas Hold'em, every player makes the best five-card poker hand from seven available cards: two private hole cards and five community cards.
The standard poker hand rankings are:
| Rank | Hand | Example | Beats |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Royal flush | A-K-Q-J-10, same suit | Everything |
| 2 | Straight flush | 9-8-7-6-5, same suit | Four of a kind or lower |
| 3 | Four of a kind | K-K-K-K-2 | Full house or lower |
| 4 | Full house | Q-Q-Q-J-J | Flush or lower |
| 5 | Flush | A-J-8-5-2, same suit | Straight or lower |
| 6 | Straight | 9-8-7-6-5, mixed suits | Three of a kind or lower |
| 7 | Three of a kind | 7-7-7-K-2 | Two pair or lower |
| 8 | Two pair | J-J-4-4-A | One pair or high card |
| 9 | One pair | 10-10-K-7-2 | High card |
| 10 | High card | A-K-9-5-2 | Only weaker high-card hands |
If you remember one thing, remember this order:
Royal flush → straight flush → four of a kind → full house → flush → straight → three of a kind → two pair → one pair → high card.
1. Royal flush
A royal flush is A-K-Q-J-10 of the same suit.
Example: A♠ K♠ Q♠ J♠ 10♠
It is the strongest possible poker hand. No hand can beat a royal flush. If two players both have a royal flush using the board, the pot is split.
2. Straight flush
A straight flush is five consecutive cards of the same suit.
Example: 9♥ 8♥ 7♥ 6♥ 5♥
If two players have straight flushes, the one with the highest top card wins. A 10-high straight flush beats a 9-high straight flush.
3. Four of a kind
Four of a kind, also called quads, is four cards of the same rank.
Example: K♠ K♥ K♦ K♣ 2♠
If two players have four of a kind, the higher quads win. Four kings beat four queens. If the quads are on the board, the best kicker can matter.
4. Full house
A full house is three of a kind plus a pair.
Example: Q♠ Q♥ Q♦ J♠ J♥
Full houses are compared by the three-of-a-kind part first. Q-Q-Q-J-J beats J-J-J-A-A because trip queens beat trip jacks.
If both players have the same trips, compare the pair.
5. Flush
A flush is five cards of the same suit, not in sequence.
Example: A♣ J♣ 8♣ 5♣ 2♣
If two players have flushes, compare the highest card in each flush. If those are tied, compare the next highest card, and so on.
An ace-high flush beats a king-high flush.
6. Straight
A straight is five consecutive ranks. The suits do not need to match.
Example: 9♦ 8♣ 7♠ 6♥ 5♦
The highest card determines the strength of the straight. J-10-9-8-7 beats 9-8-7-6-5.
Ace in a straight
An ace can be high or low in a straight:
- A-K-Q-J-10 is the highest straight, also called Broadway.
- A-2-3-4-5 is the lowest straight, often called the wheel.
Important: A-2-3-4-5 is a 5-high straight, not an ace-high straight.
7. Three of a kind
Three of a kind is three cards of the same rank plus two kickers.
Example: 7♠ 7♥ 7♦ K♠ 2♣
If two players have three of a kind, compare the rank of the trips first. If the trips are the same, compare kickers.
In Hold'em, people often distinguish:
- Set: you have a pocket pair and hit a third card on the board.
- Trips: the board is paired and one of your hole cards matches it.
Both are three of a kind, but sets are usually more hidden.
8. Two pair
Two pair is two different pairs plus one kicker.
Example: J♠ J♥ 4♦ 4♣ A♠
Two pair is compared in this order:
- Higher pair
- Lower pair
- Kicker
Example: A-A-3-3-9 beats K-K-Q-Q-A because aces are the higher top pair.
9. One pair
One pair is two cards of the same rank plus three kickers.
Example: 10♠ 10♥ K♦ 7♣ 2♠
One pair is compared by the pair rank first. If both players have the same pair, compare kickers from highest to lowest.
Example: A-A-K-9-3 beats A-A-Q-J-10 because the king kicker beats the queen kicker.
10. High card
High card means you do not have a pair, straight, flush, or better.
Example: A♠ K♥ 9♦ 5♣ 2♠
High-card hands are compared from the highest card down. Ace-high beats king-high. If both players have ace-high, compare the second card, then the third, and so on.
How ties work: kickers and split pots
When two players have the same hand category, the specific ranks decide the winner.
Kicker rule
A kicker is a side card used to break ties.
Example:
- Player A: Q-Q-A-9-3
- Player B: Q-Q-K-J-2
Both players have one pair of queens. Player A wins because the ace kicker beats the king kicker.
Split pots
If both players have the exact same best five-card hand, the pot is split.
This often happens when the board itself makes the best hand.
Example board: A♠ K♦ Q♣ J♥ 10♠
If no player can make a better hand, everyone still in the hand plays the board: an ace-high straight. The pot is split.
Texas Hold'em: choose the best 5 from 7
In Texas Hold'em, you do not simply use your two hole cards and three board cards. You choose the best five-card hand from:
- Your 2 hole cards
- The 5 community cards
That gives you 7 available cards.
You may use:
- Both hole cards
- One hole card
- Zero hole cards
Example
Your hand: A♥ K♥
Board: Q♥ J♥ 10♠ 3♦ 2♣
Your best five cards are A♥ K♥ Q♥ J♥ 10♠, making an ace-high straight, also called Broadway.
Common beginner mistakes
Thinking any flush beats any full house
A flush is strong, but a full house beats a flush. Always check the full ranking order.
Forgetting kickers
Top pair with a weak kicker can lose to the same pair with a better kicker. This is one of the most common beginner mistakes in Texas Hold'em.
Misreading the wheel
A-2-3-4-5 is a straight, but it is only a 5-high straight. It loses to 6-5-4-3-2 or any higher straight.
Thinking you must use your hole cards
In Texas Hold'em, you do not have to use your hole cards. If the board makes the best five-card hand, you can play the board.
Quick memory tips
Use this grouping:
| Group | Hands |
|---|---|
| Monster hands | Royal flush, straight flush, four of a kind, full house |
| Strong made hands | Flush, straight |
| Common made hands | Three of a kind, two pair, one pair |
| No made hand | High card |
Beginners do not need to memorize every rare scenario immediately. Start by knowing that a full house beats a flush, a flush beats a straight, and kickers matter when players have the same type of hand.
FAQ
What is the strongest hand in Texas Hold'em?
The strongest hand is a royal flush: A-K-Q-J-10 of the same suit.
Does a flush beat a straight?
Yes. A flush beats a straight in standard Texas Hold'em hand rankings.
Does a full house beat a flush?
Yes. A full house beats a flush.
What happens if two players have the same pair?
Compare the kickers. The player with the highest kicker wins. If all five cards are the same, the pot is split.
Do I have to use both hole cards in Texas Hold'em?
No. You can use both, one, or none of your hole cards. You always make the best five-card hand from seven available cards.
Summary
Texas Hold'em poker hand rankings from strongest to weakest are:
- Royal flush
- Straight flush
- Four of a kind
- Full house
- Flush
- Straight
- Three of a kind
- Two pair
- One pair
- High card
When two players have the same type of hand, compare ranks and kickers. If the best five cards are identical, the pot is split.