Poker Hand Rankings: Know Which Hand Wins
Updated August 2026
Every poker decision becomes easier once hand rankings are automatic. The ranking order below applies to most high-hand poker games, including Texas Hold'em and Omaha.
Complete poker hand ranking chart
How ties are broken
Highest rank first
Four aces beat four kings. A king-high flush beats a queen-high flush.
Compare the second pair
With two pair, compare the higher pair, then the lower pair, then the kicker.
Kickers matter
If both players share the same pair, the highest unused card may decide the pot.
Exact ties split
If both players have the same best five cards, the pot is divided equally.
| Player A | Player B | Winner | Reason |
|---|---|---|---|
| A♠ K♦ | A♥ Q♣ | Player A | Both have a pair of aces; king kicker beats queen kicker. |
| 9♠ 9♦ | 8♠ 8♦ | Player A | Pair of nines beats pair of eights. |
| A♣ 2♣ | K♣ Q♣ | Depends on board | Flush rank is determined by the highest five suited cards available. |
Examples that confuse new players
Board: A♣ K♦ Q♠ J♥ 10♣. Every player still in the hand has the same ace-high straight, regardless of hole cards, unless a variant uses different hand-construction rules.
Board: 8♣ 8♦ 8♠ K♥ K♣. The board itself is a full house. A player can only improve if hole cards create a higher full house or four of a kind.
Ace-low straight: A-2-3-4-5 is the lowest straight. The ace cannot wrap around, so Q-K-A-2-3 is not a straight.
Common ranking mistakes
- Thinking a flush beats a full house.
- Using six or seven cards instead of the best five.
- Forgetting that suits are equal in standard poker.
- Misreading paired boards and shared community-card hands.
- Applying Hold'em construction rules to Omaha, where exactly two hole cards must be used.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does a straight beat three of a kind?
Yes. A straight ranks above three of a kind and below a flush.
Which suit is highest?
In standard poker, no suit is inherently higher than another.
Can an ace be low?
Yes, only in A-2-3-4-5 for a five-high straight. It cannot be placed in the middle of a straight.
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