Classic Poker Plays

There are many things to consider while playing poker. Tons of different ideas to calculate and think about during a game. All of these will come through learning and playing. However, there are a few fundamental ideas that you must understand if you want to start winning at poker. All of the classical poker games have the same object: make the best 5-card hand possible. The player with the best hand will win the pot. However, if you do not know the strength of each hand, there is a possibility you will lose when you thought you were going to win. There is nothing worse than misinterpreting a weak hand as a strong hand. This guide will help you know which hands are the most powerful and what beats what.

Hands Ranked from Strongest to Weakest

1. Straight Flush (Royal Flush)
This hand combines two elements of normally above average hands into one super hand that is essentially unbeatable. A straight flush means you have 5 cards in sequential order (example: {4h 5h 6h 7h 8h}) and all cards being of the same suit (example: spades, hearts, clubs or diamonds). The “h” after each number in the above example denotes all the cards are of the suit hearts. If two players both have a straight flush, the player’s straight flush with the highest card wins the pot. The most powerful straight flush possible is having {10h Jh Qh Kh Ah} all the same suit. This hand is also referred to as a “royal flush.”

2. Four of a Kind
This hand consists of any four cards that all have the same numerical or face value plus one other card to make a 5-card hand. (example: {Q Q Q Q 9}). The fifth card in the hand is used to break any possible ties. The only possible way two player could tie with four of a kind is if there was four of a kind showing in the community cards. In this rare case, the player with the highest kicker or fifth card would win the pot. (example: {J J J J A} beats {J J J J K})

3. Full House
A full house is achieved when you have three of a kind and a pair to make up your five card hand (example: {5 5 5 8 8}). If two players both have a full house, the player with the higher three of a kind wins the pot. If both players have the same three of a kind in their full house, the player with the best pair in their full house wins the pot (example: {5 5 5 8 8} beats {4 4 4 7 7} and {5 5 5 8 8} beats {4 4 4 8 8}).

4. Flush
This is when you have five cards that are all the same suit (spades, hearts, clubs or diamonds). If two players both have a flush, the player with the highest card wins. If both players have the same highest card, it goes to the next highest card until a winner is determined (example {Ah Kh 10h 5h 2h} beats {Ah Kh 10h 5h 4h} the “h” next to each card denotes that they are of the suit hearts).

5. Straight
This is any 5 cards in sequential order (example {8 9 10 J Q}). If two players both have a straight, the player with the highest card wins the pot. (example {8 9 10 J Q} beats {7 8 9 10 J}).

6. Three of a Kind
This hand consists of any three cards that all have the same numerical or face value plus two other cards to make a 5-card hand. (example: {9 9 9 J K}). The four or fifth card in the hand is used to break any possible ties. (example: {9 9 9 J K} beats {9 9 9 J Q}).

7. Two Pair
This hand means you are holding two different pairs in your hand. (example: {8 8 6 6 A}). If two players both have two pair, the player with the highest pair wins(example: {A A 5 5 K} beats {K K 8 8 A}). If both players share the same highest pair, the player with the highest second pair wins (example: {A A 9 9 Q} beats {A A 8 8 Q}). If both players have the same two pair, the player with the highest kicker or fifth card wins(example: {7 7 5 5 A} beats {7 7 5 5 K}).

8. One Pair
This hand means you have two cards with the same numerical or face value (example: {10 10 K 9 7}). If two players have the same pair, if goes to the kicker or next card to determine the winner(example: {10 10 K 9 7} beats {10 10 Q 9 7}). If both players share the same kicker, it goes to the fourth card (example: {10 10 K 9 7} beats {10 10 K 7 5}) and fifth card if necessary (example: {10 10 K 9 7} beats {10 10 K 9 5}).

9. Highest Card
If no player has any of the above mentioned hands, the winner is determined by whoever has the highest card. If players share the highest card, it goes to the next highest card to determine the winner. This process is continued until there is a winner of the hand.