Guide overview
A simple hierarchy of common poker hands and the kicker rule that resolves many tied combinations.
From high card to straight flush
In standard high-hand poker, common rankings rise from high card, one pair, two pair, three of a kind, straight, flush, full house, four of a kind, straight flush and royal flush. Variant rules may differ, so confirm the format before play.
Compare the full hand
When players share the same category, compare the relevant ranks and then kickers. For two pair, the higher pair is compared first, then the lower pair, then the fifth card. A flush is usually ranked by its highest card and subsequent cards, not by suit in standard games.
Check variant rules
Lowball and split-pot games reverse or divide some rankings. Community-card games can also use the best five-card combination available. Read the game rules before relying on a memorized ranking list.