Texas Hold’em is a well-known poker game. It is played worldwide and can even be played conveniently online through sites such as GGPoker. The game’s goal is to use two-hole cards in combination with five community cards to make the strongest five-card hand possible.
If you’re new to Texas Hold’em poker, the prospect of learning all the different hands and their rankings can seem daunting. But don’t worry – we’re here to help.
This post will take you through the basics of poker hand rankings, from highest to lowest. So whether you’re just starting or want to brush up on your skills, read on for a Texas Hold’em hands guide.
What is Texas Hold’em Poker?
Texas Hold’em is a community card poker game, which means all the cards on the table are shared among the players. At the start of the game, each player is handed two-hole cards, also known as pocket cards or hole cards.
Each participant must create the best hand possible with these two cards plus the five community cards.
There are three game stages where extra community cards are revealed in the middle of the table. The first is the flop, where the community cards are dealt face up. The second is the turn, where a fourth community card is delivered face up. The third is the river, where a fifth and final community card is dealt face up.
Once all the cards have been dealt, it’s time for the showdown. This is where the players reveal their hole cards, and the best hand wins.
If you want to learn more about how to play Texas Hold’em poker, check out our blog post on the basics of the game.
Texas Hold’em Hand Rankings
Now that we’ve gone over the basics of Texas Hold’em let’s look at the different Hold’em poker hands and their rankings. Remember that players must use any combination of their two-hole cards and the five community cards to create the best five-card hand possible.
Here are different Texas Hold em winning hands, from highest to lowest:
Royal Flush
A royal flush is the highest possible hand in poker and cannot lose. It can only be tied by another royal flush. It consists of the Ace, King, Queen, Jack, and Ten of the same suit.
Straight Flush
A straight flush is a five-card sequence in which all five cards are of the same suit. The strongest straight is ace-high, followed by king-high, queen-high, jack-high, and so on.
Four of a Kind
Sometimes known as quads, four of a kind is a hand that reveals four cards of the same rank. Aces are the highest-ranking four of a kind, followed by kings, queens, and jacks.
Full House
A full house consists of three cards of one rank and two cards of another rank. Aces over kings are the highest-ranking full house, followed by aces over queens, kings over queens, and so on.
Flush
A flush is a five-card hand in which all cards are of the same suit. Ace-high is the highest-ranking flush, followed by king-high, queen-high, jack-high, etc.
Straight
A straight is a five-card hand in which all five cards are sequential; the suit doesn’t matter. Ace-high is the most valuable straight, followed by king-high, queen-high, jack-high, and so on.
Three of a Kind
Three of a kind, often known as trips or a set, is a hand with three cards of the same rank. Aces are the highest-ranking three of a kind, followed by kings, queens, and jacks.
Two Pair
“Two pair” refers to two pairs of cards of the same rank. Aces are the highest-ranking pair, followed by kings, queens, and jacks. If more than one player has two pairs, the second-highest pair determines the winner.
One Pair
Two cards of the same rank make up a pair. Aces are the most valuable pair, followed by kings, queens, jacks, tens, and so on.
High Card
If none of those mentioned above hands are formed, the person holding the highest card wins.
Now that you know the different poker hands and their rankings, you can start trying the game and become a pro.
Ready to put your new knowledge into practice? Sign up with GGPoker today and start playing some poker! With games ranging from beginner-friendly Texas Hold’em to more complex variants like Omaha, there’s a game for everyone at GGPoker. And don’t forget to check out the generous bonuses and rewards so you can start stacking up those chips in no time.
So what are you waiting for? Start learning about poker hands today and see how you fare when pitted against the best.
