The Rankings of Poker Hands
Poker may seem to be one monolithic kind of card game but in reality, there is a plethora of different card game variations that exist that uses the name 'poker'. Mastering each and every one of these variations requires a lot of time and effort since each of the variations has their own rules and nuances that distinguish them from each other.
If you are one such individual who hopes to master the game by mastering each of its variations then it is best to start to be knowledgeable with the different rankings of poker hands since it is an aspect that remains more or less constant all throughout the different variations.
The highest ranked among poker hands depend on whether the joker card is used. If it is used, then the highest ranked poker hand is the five of kind, which is composed of 4 aces with the joker.
If the joker is not included in the deck, then the highest rank goes to the straight flush: a hand that is composed of consecutive cards with each bearing the same suit. The best possible straight flush is the royal flush which is composed of a ten, the 4 face cards and an ace with each having the same suit.
Next highest ranked among poker hands is the four of a kind which is composed of 4 cards of the same rank and any fifth card. The rank of the 4 cards would be the one to decide which 4 of a kind is higher in case there is more than one 4 of a kind in the table. Following four of a kind is the full house which is composed of three same rank cards and a pair of a different rank.
The next highest among poker hands is the flush which is five cards with the same suit. Following it is the straight, which is composed of five cards which are sequential but are of different suits.
Three of a kind is next highest in the hierarchy of poker hands. It is composed of three cards with the same rank with two unpaired cards. Next to it is two pairs which is composed of a pair of same ranked cards and another different pair of same ranked cards and one unpaired card.
Next to the last among poker hands is the one pair which is composed of a pair of same ranked cards and three unpaired ones. The last among the ranking of poker hands is the no pair, high card hand which is composed of five unpaired cards.
Knowing the hand rankings of poker hands is a good way to start not only for those who wish to be exposed to many poker variants but also for anyone who wishes to play any of the of the different poker variations since the hand rankings are the same for card games considered to be poker.