Pokers Handy Glossary
28 July 2006
By Mark Pilarski
Dear Mark,
I am surprised at how many players truly don't
know the hand rankings when playing poker. For
example, a flush versus a straight seems to fool
a lot of players. Anyhow, how about a list of
hand rankings and some examples so that we can
laminate them and post it for our
always-friendly Thursday night game? Stan K.
Yep, Stan, you pegged that one. Seemingly more
players mistake the flush's and straight's hand
strength than that of any other poker hand. But
before a top to bottom rundown opening with the
quint major, this quick refresher of these
contentious rules that seem to pop up at some
not-so-friendly kitchen table games: Suits do
not break ties, nor are cards used beyond the
fifth; only the best five cards in each hand are
used when comparing hand strengths. Also, with
ties, the pot is equally split amongst the
winning hands.
Now it's time to learn your flushes from
straights, at least to the point where no one
will think you are a complete newbie. The table
below will show you the standard rank of
different poker hands used by almost every poker
room when playing most versions of poker.
Royal Flush: The highest-ranking hand in poker.
To have a royal flush is to have the top five
cards, lead by an ace, all in sequence, all the
same suit. An example would be a 10-J-Q-K-A, all
spades. This hand ranks just above a king-high
straight flush.
Straight flush: Sometimes called quint or
routine, this poker hand consists of five
consecutive cards of the same suit, such as
2-3-4-5-6 or a 7-8- 9-10-J. An ace-high straight
flush, or royal flush, can also be considered a
straight flush. The ace can also be used to
create the lowest straight flush, a 5-4-3-2-A.
Four of a kind: Four cards that have the same
face value accompanied by a "kicker." Ranked by
the quads, so that 6-6-6-6-3 beats a 5-5-5-5-A,
and then ranked by the side card (if you happen
to be sharing all four cards on the board), so
that 6-6-6-6-K beats a 6-6-6-6-Q.
Full house: Any three cards of the same face
value, plus any other two cards of the same
number, such as 6-6-6-Q-Q. Ranked first by the
trips, so that 6-6-6-Q-Q beats a 5-5-5-A-A, and
then ranked by the pair, if trips are shared, so
that 6-6-6-Q-Q beats a 6-6-6-J-J. Often
identified by the three of a kind, three queens
and two 6s is often known as queens full, and
sometimes more specifically as queens full of
6s.
Flush: Any five cards of the same suit, such as
A-Q-7-5-2 of clubs. Ranked by the top card, and
then by the next card, and so forth for all five
cards, so that A-Q-7-5-2 of clubs beats an
A-Q-7-4-3 of the same, or any other suit.
Straight: Sometimes called a run or sequence, a
straight is five consecutive cards of mixed
suit. The ace plays either high or low, such as
5-4-3-2-A or A-K-Q-J-10 but NOT an "around the
corner" straight like 4-3-2-A-K-Q.
Three-of-a-kind: Often called trips, triplets,
tricon, or trio, a three-of-a-kind poker hand is
three cards of the same face value plus two
unrelated cards. Ranked by trips, so that
K-K-K-7-5 beats Q-Q-Q-6-4, and then ranked by
each kicker in turn so that K-K-K-7-6 beats a
K-K-K-6-5.
Two pair: A poker hand consisting of two cards
of one rank, two of another, plus an unrelated
card. For example, A-A-K-K-Q is two pair, also
known as two pair, aces and kings, aces up, aces
over, aces over kings, and aces and kings.
Ranked by the top pair, then the bottom pair and
finally the kicker, so that Q-Q-6-6-5 beats a
J-J-9-9-A, Q-Q-5-5-8, or a Q-Q-6-6-3.
One pair: Two cards of one rank accompanied by
three unmatched cards, such as A-A-Q-7-5. Ranked
by the pair, followed by each kicker in turn, so
that A-A-Q-7-5 beats an A-A-Q-7-4.
High card: Any hand that does not qualify as one
of the better hands mentioned above, such as a
J-10-7-5-3 of different suits. Ranked by the top
card, then the second card and so on down for
all five cards.
Gambling Wisdom of the Week: "Nobody is always a
winner, and anybody who says he is, is either a
liar or doesn't play poker." -Amarillo Slim
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