How to Play Texas Hold ‘Em, Part 3

In this article we will cover hand rankings.

Before we go ahead, here is a list of what words/symbols relate to what I say in this article:

H = Hearts            K = King
D = Diamonds     Q = Queen
S = Spades           J = Jack
C = Clubs              A = Ace

Numbers run from 10-2

Examples: 6h 5d = Six of Hearts and Five of Diamonds
                     As Ks = Ace of Spades and King of Spades

Hand Rankings

In Hold ‘Em, live all other poker games, there is a hand ranking system. The hands listed below are in order of rank, starting from the lowest, complete with a description of their make-up.

High Card

Ah, Js, 2d, 5c, 10s

Unrelated cards ranked by the highest single card, in this case, Ace High.

Pair

8s, Qc, 3c, Qs, 10h

Two cards of the same rank, in this case, a Pair of Queens.

Two Pair

Ac, 6d, As, 6c, 9d

Two separate pairs, in this case, Two Pair - Aces and Sixes.

Three of a Kind

2h, 2c, 2s, Jh, 3d

Three cards of the same rank, in this case, Three of a Kind - Twos.

Straight

9c, 10s, Js, Qh, Kc

Five cards in sequence, but not the same suit, in this case, Straight - Nine to King.

Flush

Ad, 4d, 10d, Qd, 9d

Any five cards of the same suit, but not in sequence, in this case, Ace High Diamond Flush.

Full House

Kd, Ks, 7d, 7c, 7h

Three of a kind combined with a pair, in this case, Full House - Sevens full of Kings.

Four of a Kind

Jc, Jd, Js, Jh, 5s

All four cards of the same rank, in this case, Four of a Kind – Jacks

Straight Flush

5h, 6h, 7h, 8h, 9h

Any five card sequence in the same suit, in this case, Straight Flush – Five to Nine.

Royal Flush

10s, Js, Qs, Ks, As

A, K, Q, J, 10 all of the same suit. The best hand in Texas Hold ‘Em.