How to Host the Perfect Poker Home Game: Poker Hand Rankings

Poker Hand Ranking: Royal Flush        

A straight from a ten to an ace with all five cards of the same suit. In poker all suits are ranked equally.

Straight Flush         

Any straight with all five cards of the same suit.

Four of a Kind         

Any four cards of the same rank. If two players share the same Four of a Kind, the bigger fifth card (known as the kicker)   decides who wins the pot.

Full House         

Any three cards of the same rank together with any two cards of the same rank. Our example shows "Aces full of Kings" and it is a bigger full house than "Kings full of Aces."

Flush         

Any five cards of the same suit (not consecutive). The highest card of the five determines the rank of the flush. Our example shows an Ace-high flush, which is the highest possible.

Straight         

Any five consecutive cards of different suits. Aces can count as either a high or a low card. Our example shows a five-high straight, which is the lowest possible straight.

Three of a Kind         

Any three cards of the same rank. Our example shows three-of-a-kind Aces, with a King and a Queen as side cards - the best possible three of a kind.

Two Pair         

Any two cards of the same rank together with another two cards of the same rank. Our example shows the best possible two-pair, Aces and Kings. The highest pair of the two determines the rank of the two-pair.

One Pair         

Any two cards of the same rank. Our example shows the best possible one-pair hand.

High Card         

Any hand not in the above-mentioned hands. Our example shows the best possible high-card hand.

How to Make a Hand

In Texas Hold'em you combine your two hole cards with the community board to make the best five-card poker hand. Both hole cards, one hole card or no hole cards (play the board) can be used to comprise a hand.

Example: Hold'em

Hole Cards A                                       Hole Cards B

                                                 

Flop                                                     Turn                            River

                                                                    

Final Hand A                                        Final Hand B

                                     

Two pair (Q's and 3's with a K)                Two pair (K's and 3's with an A)

Upcoming articles on How to Host the Perfect Poker Home Game:

Part 1: Equipment Part 2: Hand Rankings Part 3: How to Play Part 4: How to Set Up Part 5: What to Drink Part 6: What to Eat Part 7: Who to Invite Part 8: Etiquette Part 9: How to Beat your Friends Part 10: Cheaters Part 11: More Games, More Gamble Part 12: Odds and Exceptions Part 13: Which Hand Wins Calculator

Visit www.pokerlistings.com