![Five playing cards – the ace, king, queen, jack and ten of hearts – spread out in a fan.](https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/e/e2/A_studio_image_of_a_hand_of_playing_cards._MOD_45148377.jpg/220px-A_studio_image_of_a_hand_of_playing_cards._MOD_45148377.jpg)
In poker, players form sets of five playing cards, called hands, according to the rules of the game.[1] Each hand has a rank, which is compared against the ranks of other hands participating in the showdown to decide who wins the pot.[2] In high games, like Texas hold 'em and seven-card stud, the highest-ranking hands win. In low games, like razz, the lowest-ranking hands win. In high-low split games, both the highest-ranking and lowest-ranking hands win, though different rules are used to rank the high and low hands.[3][4]
Each hand belongs to a category determined by the patterns formed by its cards. A hand in a higher-ranking category always ranks higher than a hand in a lower-ranking category. A hand is ranked within its category using the ranks of its cards. Individual cards are ranked, from highest to lowest: A, K, Q, J, 10, 9, 8, 7, 6, 5, 4, 3 and 2.[5] However, aces have the lowest rank under ace-to-five low or ace-to-six low rules, or under high rules as part of a five-high straight or straight flush.[6][7] Suits are not ranked, so hands that differ by suit alone are of equal rank.[8]
There are nine categories of hand when using a standard 52-card deck, except under ace-to-five low rules where straights, flushes and straight flushes are not recognized. An additional category, five of a kind, exists when using one or more wild cards. The fewer hands a category contains, the higher its rank.[9] There are ways to deal five cards from the deck but only distinct hands, because the order in which cards are dealt or arranged in a hand does not matter.[10] Moreover, since hands differing only by suit are of equal rank, there are only 7,462 distinct hand ranks.[11]
Hand-ranking categories
[edit]* | Only possible when using one or more wild cards |
** | Category does not exist under ace-to-five low rules |
Name | Example |
---|---|
Five of a kind* | ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() |
Straight flush** | ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() |
Four of a kind | ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() |
Full house | ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() |
Flush** | ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() |
Straight** | ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() |
Three of a kind | ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() |
Two pair | ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() |
One pair | ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() |
High card | ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() |
Five of a kind
[edit]
Five of a kind is a hand that contains five cards of one rank, such as ("five of a kind, threes"). It ranks above a straight flush but is only possible when using one or more wild cards, as there are only four cards of each rank in the deck. [6] Five of a kind, aces, , becomes possible when a joker is added to the deck as a bug, a form of wild card that may act as a fifth ace.[5] Other wild card rules allow jokers or other designated cards to represent any card in the deck, making it possible to form five of a kind of any rank.[12]
Each five of a kind is ranked by the rank of its quintuplet. For example, ranks higher than . [6][13]
Straight flush
[edit]
A straight flush is a hand that contains five cards of sequential rank, all of the same suit, such as (a "queen-high straight flush"). [4] It ranks below five of a kind and above four of a kind.[5] Under high rules, an ace can rank either high (as in , an ace-high straight flush) or low (as in , a five-high straight flush), but cannot simultaneously rank both high and low (so is an ace-high flush, but not a straight). [6][13] Under deuce-to-seven low rules, an ace always ranks high (so is an ace-high flush). Under ace-to-six low rules, an ace always ranks low (so is a king-high flush). [14] Under ace-to-five low rules, straight flushes are not possible (so is a nine-high hand). [7]
Each straight flush is ranked by the rank of its highest-ranking card. For example, ranks higher than , which ranks higher than . Straight flush hands that differ by suit alone, such as and , are of equal rank. [6][13]
An ace-high straight flush, such as , is called a royal flush or royal straight flush and is the best possible hand in ace-high games when wild cards are not used. [5][15][16] A five-high straight flush, such as , is called a steel wheel and is both the best low hand and usually the best high hand of the showdown in ace-to-five high-low split games. [4]
Four of a kind
[edit]
Four of a kind, also known as quads, is a hand that contains four cards of one rank and one card of another rank (the kicker), such as ("four of a kind, nines"). It ranks below a straight flush and above a full house. [5]
Each four of a kind is ranked first by the rank of its quadruplet, and then by the rank of its kicker. For example, ranks higher than , which ranks higher than . Four of a kind hands that differ by suit alone, such as and , are of equal rank. [6][13]
Full house
[edit]
A full house, also known as a full boat or a tight or a boat (and originally called a full hand), is a hand that contains three cards of one rank and two cards of another rank, such as (a "full house, threes over sixes" or "threes full of sixes" or "threes full"). [17][18] It ranks below four of a kind and above a flush.[5]
Each full house is ranked first by the rank of its triplet, and then by the rank of its pair. For example, ranks higher than , which ranks higher than . Full house hands that differ by suit alone, such as and , are of equal rank. [6][13]
Flush
[edit]
A flush is a hand that contains five cards all of the same suit, not all of sequential rank, such as (a "king-high flush" or a "king-ten-high flush"). [19] It ranks below a full house and above a straight.[5] Under ace-to-five low rules, flushes are not possible (so is a jack-high hand). [7]
Each flush is ranked first by the rank of its highest-ranking card, then by the rank of its second highest-ranking card, then by the rank of its third highest-ranking card, then by the rank of its fourth highest-ranking card, and finally by the rank of its lowest-ranking card. For example, ranks higher than , which ranks higher than , which ranks higher than , which ranks higher than , which ranks higher than . Flush hands that differ by suit alone, such as and , are of equal rank. [6][13]
Straight
[edit]
A straight is a hand that contains five cards of sequential rank, not all of the same suit, such as (a "seven-high straight"). It ranks below a flush and above three of a kind. [5] Under high rules, an ace can rank either high (as in , an ace-high straight) or low (as in , a five-high straight), but cannot simultaneously rank both high and low (so is an ace-high hand). [6][13] Under deuce-to-seven low rules, an ace always ranks high (so is an ace-high hand). Under ace-to-six low rules, an ace always ranks low (so is a king-high hand). [14] Under ace-to-five low rules, straights are not possible (so is a ten-high hand). [7]
Each straight is ranked by the rank of its highest-ranking card. For example, ranks higher than , which ranks higher than . Straight hands that differ by suit alone, such as and , are of equal rank. [6][13]
An ace-high straight, such as , is called a Broadway straight, [20] while a five-high straight, such as , is called a baby straight, [21] bicycle or wheel and is the best possible hand in ace-to-five low games (where it is a high card hand, not a straight).[22][23]
Three of a kind
[edit]
Three of a kind, also known as trips or a set, is a hand that contains three cards of one rank and two cards of two other ranks (the kickers), such as ("three of a kind, twos" or "trip twos" or a "set of twos"). It ranks below a straight and above two pair. [5]
Each three of a kind is ranked first by the rank of its triplet, then by the rank of its highest-ranking kicker, and finally by the rank of its lowest-ranking kicker. For example, ranks higher than , which ranks higher than , which ranks higher than . Three of a kind hands that differ by suit alone, such as and , are of equal rank. [6][13]
In community card games, such as Texas hold 'em, three of a kind is called a set only when it comprises a pocket pair and a third card on the board.[24]
Two pair
[edit]
Two pair is a hand that contains two cards of one rank, two cards of another rank and one card of a third rank (the kicker), such as ("two pair, jacks and fours" or "two pair, jacks over fours" or "jacks up"). [17][25] It ranks below three of a kind and above one pair.[5]
Each two pair is ranked first by the rank of its higher-ranking pair, then by the rank of its lower-ranking pair, and finally by the rank of its kicker. For example, ranks higher than , which ranks higher than , which ranks higher than . Two pair hands that differ by suit alone, such as and , are of equal rank. [6][13]
One pair
[edit]
One pair, or simply a pair, is a hand that contains two cards of one rank and three cards of three other ranks (the kickers), such as ("one pair, fours" or a "pair of fours"). It ranks below two pair and above high card. [5]
Each one pair is ranked first by the rank of its pair, then by the rank of its highest-ranking kicker, then by the rank of its second highest-ranking kicker, and finally by the rank of its lowest-ranking kicker. For example, ranks higher than , which ranks higher than , which ranks higher than , which ranks higher than . One-pair hands that differ by suit alone, such as and , are of equal rank. [6][13]
High card
[edit]
High card, also known as no pair or simply nothing, is a hand that does not fall into any other category, such as ("high card, king" or "king-jack-high" or "king-high"). [17][26] Note that under ace-to-five low rules, straights, flushes and straight flushes are not possible, so such hands are instead high card hands.[7] It ranks below one pair.[5]
Each high card hand is ranked first by the rank of its highest-ranking card, then by the rank of its second highest-ranking card, then by the rank of its third highest-ranking card, then by the rank of its fourth highest-ranking card, and finally by the rank of its lowest-ranking card. For example, ranks higher than , which ranks higher than , which ranks higher than , which ranks higher than , which ranks higher than . High card hands that differ by suit alone, such as and , are of equal rank. [6][13]
Under deuce-to-seven low rules, a seven-five-high hand, such as , is the best possible hand. [27] Under ace-to-six low rules, where aces have the lowest rank, a six-four-high hand, such as , is the best possible hand. [28] Under ace-to-five low rules, where aces have the lowest rank and straights, flushes and straight flushes are not possible, a five-high hand, such as or , commonly known as a bicycle or wheel, is the best possible hand. [7][22]
See also
[edit]References
[edit]- ^ Krieger, Lou (2006). "What is Poker?". The Poker Player's Bible. South Africa: Struik Publishers. pp. 12–14. ISBN 978-1-77007-469-9.
- ^ Harrock, Richard (2011). "The Basics of Play". Poker for Dummies, Mini Edition. United States of America: Wiley Publishing, Inc. ISBN 978-0-470-05565-6.
- ^ Sklansky, David (2005). The Theory of Poker. United States of America: Two Plus Two Publishing LLC. pp. 2. ISBN 1-880685-00-0.
- ^ a b c Braids, Sam (2003). The Intelligent Guide to Texas Hold'em. Towson, Maryland: Intelligent Games Publishing. pp. 166. ISBN 0-9677551-2-3.
- ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l Krieger, Lou (2006). The Poker Player's Bible. South Africa: Struik Publishers. pp. 30–34. ISBN 978-1-77007-469-9.
- ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l m n Greiner, Ron (2005). The Everyday Guide to Recreational Poker. Everyday Endeavors, LLC. pp. 46–60. ISBN 0-9769703-0-9.
- ^ a b c d e f Scott, Alex (2010). "How to Play Lowball Draw". What I Know about Poker: Lessons in Texas Hold'em, Omaha and Other Poker Games. p. 24. ISBN 978-0-9567151-3-5.
- ^ "Poker Hand Ranking | Official World Series of Poker Online". www.wsop.com. Retrieved 12 July 2016.
- ^ "Probability: 5-Card Poker Hands". www.math.hawaii.edu. Retrieved 12 July 2016.
- ^ Bourne, Murray. "Probability and Poker". www.intmath.com. Retrieved 12 July 2016.
- ^ Berg, Henry (13 May 2013). "FiveCardSingleDeckHands.txt". Code Throwdown. Retrieved 13 July 2016.
- ^ Rigal, Barry (2005). Card Games For Dummies. 111 River Street, Hoboken, NJ, USA: John Wiley & Sons. pp. 284. ISBN 978-0-7645-9910-1.
{{cite book}}
: CS1 maint: location (link) - ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l Kreiger, Lou; Bykofsky, Sheree (2006). The Rules of Poker. Lyle Stuart. pp. 99–102. ISBN 0-8184-0660-7.
- ^ a b "Lowball Hand Rankings". playlowballpoker.com. Retrieved 5 August 2016.
- ^ Miller, Ed; Sklansky, David; Malmuth, Mason (2005). Small Stakes Hold 'em. United States of America: Two Plus Two Publishing LLC. pp. 343–358. ISBN 1-880685-32-9.
- ^ Taylor, David G. (2015). The Mathematics of Games: An Introduction to Probability. CRC Press. pp. 49–51. ISBN 978-1-4822-3543-2.
- ^ a b c Wenzel, John (2004). The Everything Poker Strategy Book. United States of America: F+W Publications, Inc. pp. 6–10. ISBN 1-59337-140-3.
- ^ "Online Etymology Dictionary". www.etymonline.com. Retrieved 1 August 2016.
- ^ Sklansky, David (2007). The Theory of Poker. Two Plus Two Publishing LLC. pp. 124. ISBN 978-1-880685-00-6.
- ^ Erickson, David (2015). "3.2.5.3 Broadway straight". Superior Texas Hold'em: Evolved Poker Strategy. United States of America: Evergent Teknologies. ISBN 978-0-9938197-0-4.
- ^ Zee, Ray (2007). High-Low-Split Poker, Seven-Card Stud and Omaha Eight-or-better for Advanced Players. United States of America: Two Plus Two Publishing LLC. p. 323. ISBN 978-1-880685-10-5.
- ^ a b Sklansky, David (2005). "Glossary of Poker Terms". The Theory of Poker. United States of America: Two Plus Two Publishing LLC. pp. 277–293. ISBN 1-880685-00-0.
- ^ Malmuth, Mason (1998). "Ace-to-Five Lowball". Winning Concepts in Draw and Lowball (2nd ed.). United States of America: Two Plus Two Publishing. p. 45. ISBN 1-880685-07-8.
- ^ Sklansky, David (2004). Small Stakes Hold 'Em (1 ed.). Two Plus Two Publishing. p. 127. ISBN 978-1-880685-32-7.
- ^ Cardoza, Avery (2012). Poker Talk. Cardoza Publishing. ISBN 978-1-58042-502-5.
- ^ Gelling, Jonathan (2009). Poker Tips that Pay. Play to Pay Publishing. p. 333. ISBN 978-0-9840822-9-2.
- ^ Kimberg, Daniel (2002). Serious Poker. ConJelCo LLC. pp. 229–277. ISBN 1-886070-16-4.
- ^ "WSOP | How To Play | How To Play Lowball Poker". www.wsop.com. Retrieved 4 August 2016.
External links
[edit]Media related to Poker hands at Wikimedia Commons
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