List of Hands
The rules of poker are going to depend heavily upon the style of the game that one is playing (examples can include Five Card Draw or Omaha Hold ‘em), it is paramount that a player grasps the concept of hand values. No matter which type of game one is engaged in, the values of the hands remain the same across every variety. The quicker one can come to grasp the value of the cards they hold and those they are able to draw, the more confidence they will have at the poker table and increased confidence leads to increased wins which, of course, means more cash in one’s pocket at the end of the night. Memorizing the hands can be a huge help and this is a great place to start out on the road to gaining competence or even going pro one day.
Straight Flush – This is the term for a hand that has 5 cards of the same suite in sequential order. An example of a straight Flush could be 5 cards, all in the Hearts suite, such as 6, 7, 8, 9 and 10. Aces can be used in a Straight Flush as having a value of 1 or a value of 10, depending upon how the cards are employed in the hand by the player. If two players both end up with this hand, the hand that has the highest value is the winner.
Quads – This is a hand that is quite simply, 4 cards that have the same value, no matter what suit they might be in. Four 7’s or four kings is still Quads which is also called by the name Four of a Kind. If two players both have this hand then the one that has the highest value will win. If those 4 cards have the same value then the 5th card, known as a kicker, is the winner.
Full House – Going also by the name of Full Boat, this is 3 cards that share the same rank and 2 cards of another rank. If two players end up with exactly the same 3 cards, the player with the higher pair of cards will be the winner.
Flush – This is 5 cards of the same suit. If the cards were also in order then it would mean the player has a Straight Flush. If two players have a Flush, then the player who has the top card with the highest rank is the winner. If players share the same highest ranked card then the next highest card is compared. This continues in descending value until a winner is found.
Straight – When 5 cards in any rank are in sequential order this is a Straight. If 2 players have a Straight then they will compare their highest cards and then compare the next highest, on down the line the same way they would with a Straight Flush.
Trips – Since this is 3 cards of the same rank and 2 unmatched cards, it is also known as Three of a Kind. When 2 players have Trips, the higher trips wins or, when these are the same value, the unmatched cards are compared, beginning with the highest card.
Two Pair – This is 2 pairs of cards that have different rank, Players will compare the highest ranking pair first, then the second highest and if no winner is found that way, the kicker is the last thing compared.
One Pair – If 2 cards of the same rank and 3 unmatched cards make up the hand, one holds a Pair. Two players holding this hand will compare their kicker cards from highest to lowest.
High Card – If none of the cards in a hand are the same, the highest value card is used to determine who wins in a showdown between 2 players with this same hand.