In the game of poker, knowing the hand rankings is crucial to making informed decisions at the table. In this guide, we'll take a closer look at the top-ranking hands, from the common flush and full house to the rare straight flush and royal flush.

Flush
A flush is a combination of five cards that all share the same suit, regardless of their value. For example, if you have five hearts or five diamonds, you've got a flush! In the event of multiple flushes at the table, the highest-ranking card wins.

Full House
A full house, also known as "poker," is a combination of three cards of one rank and two cards of another rank. For example, 2-2-10-10-10 would be a full house.

Four of a Kind (Poker)
Also known as four-of-a-kind, this hand consists of four cards with the same value. For example, all fours or all threes.

Straight Flush
The straight flush is the second-highest-ranking hand in poker. It's when you have a sequence of five cards in the same suit, such as 2-3-4-5-6 in hearts.

Royal Flush
A royal flush is the highest-ranking hand in poker and extremely rare. To achieve this hand, you need the highest possible sequence from 10 to ace, all with the same suit. For example, 10-J-Q-K-A in hearts would be a royal flush.

Special Rules and Additional Tips

• Ass in a Straight: In a straight, the ace can come before or after the two, creating different sequences.
• Heads-Up Poker Rules: When there are only two players at the table, the small blind is set by the dealer and the big blind is set by the other player.
• Burn Cards: Before dealing out the community cards, the dealer discards the top card from the deck to prevent players from gaining an advantage.
• Ante: In some variants of poker, such as Texas Hold'em tournaments, an ante is required in each round. This adds to the casino's take or increases the action at the table.

Further Information

If you've internalized the hand rankings and want to delve deeper into the world of poker, we have additional guides that offer tips and strategies for advanced players:

• Poker Hands: Get a more in-depth look at the different types of hands.
• Bluffing: Learn how to deceive your opponents and gain an edge.
• Online Poker: Discover everything you need to know about playing online.

Position at the Table
As you start your poker career, it's essential to understand the importance of position. Even as a beginner, take the time to learn about this crucial aspect of the game, and you'll be well on your way to success.