When playing poker, it's essential to understand the hierarchy of suits, as this can often be used to break ties and determine the winner in certain situations. In this article, we'll explore the standard suit rankings used in most US poker rooms, as well as some variations used in other parts of the world.

What is the Highest Suit in Poker?

In standard poker hand rankings, suits are generally equal to each other. For example, the ace of hearts is just as strong as the ace of spades. However, there are situations where the suit of a card can determine which hand wins. The hierarchy of suits differs depending on where you play, but in the US all poker rooms use the same suit rankings.

To remember the suit rankings, think of them in reverse alphabetical order: Spades, Hearts, Diamonds, Clubs.

When Does the Highest Suit Matter?

Suits are never used to determine who wins a poker pot. However, they can be used to break ties in certain situations:

1. The Bring-In: In games like Seven-card stud, where the player with the lowest-ranking face-up card is required to open the first betting round for a minimal amount, ties can be broken by suit.
2. Assigning the Bring-In: In games like Razz, where the player with the highest-ranking upcard must post the fractional bet.
3. Awarding Odd Chips in a Split Pot: When there's an odd amount of money in the pot that can't be split evenly, the odd low-denomination chip can be given to the player whose hand contains the high card by suit.

Variations in Suit Rankings

While most poker games don't rank suits, some variations do. For example:

• In China, Japan, and South Korea, the Chinese-Japanese-Korean conventional order is used: Clubs, Hearts, Diamonds, Spades.
• In Russia, some games like Preference and 1000 use the High Reds ordering: Spades, Clubs, Diamonds, Hearts.
• In Germany, Skat uses the Low Reds ordering: Diamonds, Hearts, Spades, Clubs.

Understanding the hierarchy of suits is crucial in poker, as it can be used to break ties and determine the winner in certain situations. Whether you're playing in the US or abroad, knowing the standard suit rankings can give you an edge at the table.