What Beats What in Poker

For new poker players, learning what beats what in poker represents the first real hurdle to becoming a better poker player.

When I was a new player, I remember being stumped on flushes and straights. I also thought that if two players had a flush, they automatically tie, which is not the case, but we’ll get to that later. It’s important for you to commit to memory what beats what or face being eaten up by the poker sharks.

How to learn poker hand rankings in less than 24 hours

The best way to learn anything is by doing. The internet makes it so easy to master new skills quickly. There’s no excuse not to make use of the tools available to you. For learning poker hands, I suggest you download free poker software where you can play against real opponents for play money.

Players from the United States should download PokerStars. While you’re downloading, read this short guide and bookmark it for future reference.

1. Royal Flush – What it beats: EVERYTHING!
This is the best poker hand possible. A royal flush is an Ace-high straight flush. It consists of A-K-Q-J-10 all of the same suit.

2. Straight Flush – What it beats: Everything except a Royal
A straight flush beats everything except a Royal Flush. It consists of five cards of the same suit in sequence. This example shows a Seven-high Straight Flush.

3. Four-of-a-Kind – What it beats: Everything except a straight flush or royal flush
Also known as quads, four-of-a-kind consists of 4 cards of the same rank. This example shows Quad Jacks with an Ace kicker.

4. Full House – What it beats: A Flush, Straight, Three-of-a-Kind, Two Pair, or One Pair
Also called a full boat, a full house consists of three cards of the same rank and a pair of another. The strength of the full house is determined by the three-card grouping. This example shows Kings Full of Queens.

5. Flush – What it beats: Straight, Three-of-a-Kind, Two Pair, or One Pair
A flush consists of five non-consecutive cards of the same suit. The highest card in the flush makes its rank This example shows a King High Flush which could only be beaten by an Ace High Flush.

6. Straight – What it beats: Three-of-a-Kind, Two Pair, or One Pair
A straight is made with 5 cards in sequence. If more than one straight is present, the highest ranking straight will win. This example shows a Queen High Straight.

7. Three-of-a-kind – What it beats: Two Pair or One Pair
Three-of-a-kind, also called trips or a set, is comprised of three cards of the same rank. This example shows a Set of Threes with an Ace-King Kicker.

8. Two Pair – What it beats: One Pair
Two cards of the same rank paired with two other cards of the same rank make, two pair. The higher pair makes out the rank of the two pair. This example shows Aces and Jacks with a King Kicker.

9. One Pair – What it beats: Any lower pair or hands without a pair
A pair is simply two matching cards of a rank. This example shows a Pair of Queens with an Ace Kicker.

10. Understanding hands with no pair
If no one has a pair the winner is determined by the highest ranking card in each hand. For example, ace high beats king high, 10 high beat 8 high, etc.

A final word on kickers
If you’re new to poker, you shouldn’t start playing without understanding the importance of kickers. A kicker is an unpaired card that helps decide the winner if both players have the same pair. For example, in Texas Hold’em if you hold AJ and your opponent hold AQ on a board of A5339, you would lose with aces & threes with a jack kicker to your opponent’s aces and threes with a queen kicker. Kickers play a huge part in your success with community card games like Texas Hold’em. Don’t underestimate their value.

To sum it all up
Learning what beats what in poker is a fundamental necessity of becoming a winning poker player. The best way to learn is by playing poker online for free, before putting up your own money in a game. Kickers are a valuable part of community card poker, don’t underestimate them.

If you have a specific question about what beats what in poker, please use the comments and I will be happy to clarify.

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