Poker Hands Ranked – What Beats What?
Definition: Poker hand rankings are the standard order used to decide which 5-card hand wins at showdown, from the strongest (Royal Flush) to the weakest (High Card).
Need a fast reference for what beats what? This guide shows every poker hand in order, what each hand looks like, and how it compares to the hands above and below it.
Mini-summary: In poker, the best hand wins. If both players have the same hand type, the highest-ranked cards decide it (suits don’t matter in standard hand rankings).
Visual Cheat-Sheet Table
Quick comparison: Use this table to scan each hand, see what it beats, and jump to the full explanation below.
| Rank | Hand | Example | Beats | Loses to |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Royal Flush |  | All hands | None |
| 2 | Straight Flush |  | Four of a Kind and below | Higher Straight Flush, Royal Flush |
| 3 | Four of a Kind |  | Full House and below | Straight Flush, Royal Flush |
| 4 | Full House |  | Flush and below | Four of a Kind, Straight Flush, Royal Flush |
| 5 | Flush |  | Straight and below | Full House and above |
| 6 | Straight |  | Three of a Kind and below | Flush and above |
| 7 | Three of a Kind |  | Two Pair, One Pair, High Card | Straight and above |
| 8 | Two Pair |  | One Pair, High Card | Three of a Kind and above |
| 9 | One Pair |  | High Card | Two Pair and above |
| 10 | High Card |  | None | All hands |
1. Royal Flush
Definition: A Royal Flush is A-K-Q-J-10 all in the same suit. It’s the strongest possible poker hand.
Mini-summary: If you have a royal flush, you can’t be beaten.
What does a Royal Flush beat?
As the highest poker hand, a royal flush beats every other hand your opponents might hold.
2. Straight Flush
Definition: A Straight Flush is five consecutive cards, all in the same suit (e.g. 9-8-7-6-5 of diamonds).
Mini-summary: Only a higher straight flush (or a royal flush) can beat a straight flush.
What does a straight flush beat?
This beats all other poker hands, except for a higher straight flush.
3. Four-of-a-Kind
Definition: Four of a Kind (also called quads) is four cards of the same rank plus one kicker.
Mini-summary: Quads win almost every time — but still lose to straight flushes.
What does four-of-a-kind beat?
This is very often a winning poker hand, beating anything other than a straight flush or royal flush. If another player also has four of a kind, the higher quads win; if the quads are the same, the kicker breaks the tie.
4. Full House
Definition: A Full House is a three of a kind plus a pair (e.g. 10-10-10-8-8, “tens full of eights”).
Mini-summary: Full houses are strong because they beat flushes and straights.
Does a full house beat a straight?
Yes — a full house beats a straight. The only hands that beat a full house are four of a kind, straight flush, or royal flush. If two players have a full house, compare the three-of-a-kind first; if tied, compare the pair.
5. Flush
Definition: A Flush is five cards of the same suit, not in consecutive order (e.g. A-K-8-7-3 of hearts).
Mini-summary: Flush beats a straight, but loses to a full house.
Does a flush beat a full house?
No — a flush does not beat a full house, but it does beat a straight. If two players both have a flush, compare the highest card in the flush, then the next-highest, and so on (e.g. A-10-7-4-3 beats K-10-7-4-3).
6. Straight
Definition: A Straight is five consecutive cards in any suits (not all the same suit). The highest straight is A-K-Q-J-10 (also called “Broadway”).
Mini-summary: Straights beat trips and lower, but lose to flushes.
What does a straight beat?
A straight always beats three of a kind, two pair, one pair, and high card. It does not beat a flush or better.
7. Three-of-a-Kind
Definition: Three of a Kind (also called trips) is three cards of the same rank plus two kickers.
Mini-summary: Trips are a solid mid-strength hand, but can be vulnerable on coordinated boards.
What does 3-of-a-kind beat?
Three of a kind beats two pair, one pair, and high card.
8. Two Pair
Definition: Two Pair is two different pairs plus one kicker (e.g. 8-8-5-5-3).
Mini-summary: Two pair wins a lot of small-to-medium pots, but loses to any made hand above it.
What does two pair beat?
Two pair beats one pair and high card.
9. One Pair
Definition: One Pair is two cards of the same rank plus three kickers.
Mini-summary: One pair is common — strength depends heavily on the pair’s rank and kicker quality.
What does one pair beat?
One pair beats a high card (and a lower pair if you both have one pair). If the pair ranks tie, kickers decide.
10. High Card
Definition: High Card is a hand with no pair, no straight, and no flush — it’s ranked by the highest card, then the next-highest kickers.
Mini-summary: High card is last place; it only wins when everyone misses.
What does high card beat?
High card only beats other high card hands. If both players share the same high card, compare the next card (kicker), and so on.
Summary
Poker hand rankings are essential when playing Texas Hold'em, Five Card Stud, Omaha, and other popular poker games. Monster hands like a royal flush are rare, but even “smaller” hands can win big pots when you play the situation and your opponents well.
What beats what in poker? The Royal Flush is the strongest hand, High Card is the weakest, and ties are decided by the highest relevant cards.
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