In Texas Hold'em, a player makes the best five-card hand from seven available cards (two hole cards plus five community cards). Suits never break ties.
Testing an actual table hand? Use our free Poker Hand Evaluator to enter 5–7 cards and determine the winning hand automatically.
The 10 poker hands in order of strength
Royal Flush
A, K, Q, J, 10, all of the same suit. The unbeatable highest hand in poker.
Straight Flush
Five cards in numerical sequence, all of the same suit.
Four of a Kind (Quads)
Four cards of the same rank. Higher rank beats lower rank.
Full House (Boat)
Three cards of one rank and two cards of another. Higher three of a kind wins.
Flush
Any five cards of the same suit, not in sequence. Highest card breaks ties.
Straight
Five cards in numerical sequence of mixed suits. Highest card wins.
Three of a Kind (Trips / Set)
Three cards of the same rank with two unrelated side cards.
Two Pair
Two distinct pairs. Highest pair wins; if tied, second pair, then kicker.
One Pair
Two cards of identical rank and three kickers. Higher pair wins ties.
High Card
When no player has made a pair or better. The highest card wins at showdown.
Tie-breakers & Kicker Rules
When two or more players make the same category of hand at showdown, specific tie-breakers decide the winner:
| Hand Category | How Ties Are Broken |
|---|---|
| Full House | Higher three of a kind wins (e.g. 8-8-8-2-2 beats 7-7-7-A-A). If tied, higher pair wins. |
| Flush | Highest card of the flush wins. If equal, second highest, third highest, etc. |
| Straight | Highest card in the sequence wins (A-K-Q-J-10 beats K-Q-J-10-9). Ace can also be low (5-4-3-2-A). |
| Two Pair | Highest pair wins first (e.g. A-A-2-2 beats K-K-Q-Q). If identical, second pair, then the kicker. |
| One Pair | Higher pair wins. If players hold identical pairs, the highest side card (kicker) decides. |
| High Card | Highest card wins. If identical, second, third, fourth, and fifth cards are compared. |
Common Home Game Questions
Do suits have a ranking order in poker?
No. All suits (Spades, Hearts, Diamonds, Clubs) are completely equal in standard Texas Hold'em. If two players have identical straights or flushes in different suits, they split the pot evenly.
Can you have "three pair"?
No. A poker hand consists of exactly five cards. If you hold three different pairs across the seven cards, only your top two highest pairs count.
What does "playing the board" mean?
If the five community cards on the table form a stronger five-card hand than any combination using your hole cards, you are "playing the board." All active players who also play the board split the pot.