There are 9 types of poker hands. In Texas Hold’em, you use 5 of the total 7 cards — 2 hole cards and 5 community cards — to make a hand.
Hands are ranked by strength, with Royal Straight Flush being the strongest. This article explains poker hands, the probability of getting each one, and how to determine winners when hands are tied.
For those who want to memorize hands as quickly as possible, online poker — which you can play 24 hours a day at any time — is recommended.
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Poker Hand Rankings! Quick Reference Chart Showing the Order of Strength
In poker, Royal Straight Flush (Royal Flush) is the strongest hand, and High Card is the weakest.
You’ll naturally memorize these hands as you play, so there’s no need to memorize them perfectly from the start.
If any of the following apply to the total 7 cards (2 hole cards + 5 community cards), you can say some kind of hand has been made:
- There are 2 or more cards with the same number
- 5 numbers are consecutive
- 5 cards of the same suit
Since hands Full House and above have a very low probability of occurring, it’s good to keep these 3 in mind at first.
Poker Hand 1. Royal Straight Flush (Royal Flush)
A straight with numbers 10, J, Q, K, A all of the same suit is called a “Royal Straight Flush” or “Royal Flush.” It has the lowest probability of appearing and is the strongest hand in poker.
Probability of Royal Straight Flush
| Probability on Flop (first 5 cards) | Probability by River (all cards out) |
| 0.00015% | 0.0032% |
The probability of getting a Royal Straight Flush is 0.00015% on the flop and 0.0032% by the river — extremely low even if you play to the end.
It is almost impossible for a Royal Straight Flush to be completed when the 3 community cards are revealed.
It’s an incredibly rare probability, but it can happen in both poker rooms and online poker.
Getting a Royal Straight Flush Can Win You a Jackpot!
When you get a rare hand like a Royal Straight Flush, poker rooms and online poker often award a jackpot — a special bonus.
The jackpot is built from rake (fees paid when players play poker), so the amount varies depending on the situation.
Poker Hand 2. Straight Flush
“Straight Flush” is a hand that simultaneously has a “Straight” (consecutive numbers) and a “Flush” (same suit).
It is the second strongest after Royal Straight Flush, and if you get a Straight Flush, it’s safe to consider it nearly a win. Getting the opponent to bet as much as possible to grow the pot is key.
Probability of Straight Flush
| Probability on Flop | Probability by River |
| 0.0014% | 0.027% |
The probability of this hand is 0.0014% on the flop — higher than Royal Straight Flush but still very low. It is roughly the same as the probability of being struck by lightning and dying (0.0012%) or being stung by a bee and dying (0.0012%).
How to Determine the Winner in a Straight Flush vs. Straight Flush
In a Straight Flush vs. Straight Flush situation, the number strength decides the winner. A is the strongest and 2 is the weakest.
However, if a Straight Flush starts with A and continues 2-3-4-5, A becomes the weakest, and 2-3-4-5-6 is stronger — be careful.
If Straight Flushes have the same number strength, in Japan the suit strength decides the winner. (♠️ > ❤ > ♦ > ♣)
In a situation like the one below — the top being a ♣ Straight Flush and the bottom a ♦ Straight Flush — the bottom wins.
However, deciding by suit is a special case, and it is basically a draw.
Poker Hand 3. Four of a Kind (Quads)
“Four of a Kind (Quads)” is a hand made when 4 cards of the same number, like A-A-A-A, are gathered.
Probability of Four of a Kind
| Probability on Flop | Probability by River |
| 0.0024% | 0.16% |
Four of a Kind is also an extremely rare hand with a probability below 1% even by the river.
Since the only hands that can beat Four of a Kind are Straight Flush and Royal Straight Flush, it is safe to consider it nearly a win.
How to Determine the Winner in Four of a Kind vs. Four of a Kind
Since Four of a Kind can’t have the same number (unless two decks are used), the winner is decided by number strength.
In a situation like the one below — the top being K Four of a Kind and the bottom Q Four of a Kind — the top wins.
What is Five of a Kind, Stronger than Four of a Kind?
Standard Texas Hold’em doesn’t use Jokers, but if Jokers are used, a hand where 5 cards have the same number — “Five of a Kind” — can be formed.
Five of a Kind is a stronger hand than Four of a Kind.
Poker Hand 4. Full House
When “Three of a Kind” and “One Pair” are combined, the hand “Full House” is completed.
Probability of Full House
| Probability on Flop | Probability by River |
| 0.14% | 2.6% |
Full House requires at least 3 cards of the same number and 2 cards of the same number out of 7.
Therefore, if two pairs haven’t already formed on the flop, this becomes a very difficult hand.
Also, if two pairs of community cards form, you must consider the possibility that your opponent has a Full House or Four of a Kind.
The fighting strategy is a bit difficult, requiring you to adjust based on the opponent’s bet size. For strategies when strong hands like Full House are made, refer to the following article.
How to Determine the Winner in Full House vs. Full House
In a Full House vs. Full House situation, the Three of a Kind strength → One Pair strength is the order of determining wins and losses.
In a situation like below — the top being K Three of a Kind and the bottom Q Three of a Kind — the top wins.
Poker Hand 5. Flush
A hand where all 5 cards are the same suit is called “Flush.”
This hand is valid if any one suit — ♣, ♠, ♦, or ❤ — is all the same.
Probability of Flush
| Probability on Flop | Probability by River |
| 0.2% | 3.25% |
The probability of Flush on the flop is 0.2%, and by the river it is 3.25%.
Since you only need to match suits, the probability of completing it by the river is over 3%.
However, at least 3 or more community cards of the same suit must appear.
How to Determine the Winner in Flush vs. Flush
In a Flush vs. Flush situation, since you compete with different numbers of the same suit, the player with the stronger number among the 5 cards wins.
However, if the community card numbers are large, the high card (the card not used to form the hand) size determines the winner.
Poker Hand 6. Straight
“Straight“ is a hand completed when 5 consecutive numbers appear.
Things like ‘2,3,4,5,6’ or ‘7,8,9,10,J’ fall into this category.
A-2-3-4-5 is valid as a Straight, but note that J-Q-K-A-2 wrapping K to 2 is not allowed.
Probability of Straight
| Probability on Flop | Probability by River（最後まで）に揃う確率 |
| 0.39% | 4.62% |
The probability of Straight is 0.39% on the flop and 4.62% by the river.
Since you don’t need to worry about suits, just check whether the numbers are consecutive.
How to Determine the Winner in Straight vs. Straight
Straight vs. Straight is also decided by number strength. The player holding the higher final number wins.
If the highest card is a community card, the high card decides the winner.
For example, if the community cards are 2, 4, 5, 7, 8 and the opponent’s hand is Q6 while yours is 36, the opponent with the high card Q wins.
Note that even if 6 numbers are consecutive instead of 5, it doesn’t increase the value of a Straight.
Strength is always determined by 5 cards.
Poker Hand 7. Three of a Kind
When 3 cards of the same number are gathered, it becomes the hand “Three of a Kind.”
Probability of Three of a Kind
| Probability on Flop | Probability by River |
| 2.1% | 4.83% |
The probability of Three of a Kind on the flop is 2.1%, and by the river it is 4.83%.
How to Determine the Winner in Three of a Kind vs. Three of a Kind
The winner of Three of a Kind vs. Three of a Kind is determined by number strength.
In a situation like below — the top being K Three of a Kind and the bottom Q Three of a Kind — the top wins.
Poker Hand 8. Two Pair
When 2 pairs are formed out of 5 cards, it becomes the hand “Two Pair.”
Probability of Two Pair
| Probability on Flop | Probability by River |
| 4.75% | 23.5% |
The probability of Two Pair is 4.75% on the flop and 23.5% by the river.
It is a considerably higher probability compared to other hands. However, since One Pair forms on community cards, you need to be aware of the possibility that the opponent has Three of a Kind or better.
How to Determine the Winner in Two Pair vs. Two Pair
In a Two Pair vs. Two Pair situation, the player with the highest-numbered pair wins.
If the highest number is the same, the strength of the next pair’s number determines the winner.
In a situation like below — the K pair is the same but the next pair is 7 (top) vs. Q (bottom) — the bottom wins.
*If both pairs are the same, the strength of the remaining one card determines the winner.
Poker Hand 9. One Pair
When 2 of the 5 cards have the same number, it becomes the hand “One Pair.”
Probability of One Pair
| Probability on Flop | Probability by River |
| 32% | 43.8% |
The probability of One Pair is 32% on the flop and 43.8% by the river.
It’s not unusual for your hole cards to already form One Pair. While One Pair is stronger than High Card, a pair of 2s doesn’t have a high win rate, so you need to consider whether to participate.
When deciding whether to participate in a game, refer to the hand range chart.
How to Determine the Winner in One Pair vs. One Pair
In a One Pair vs. One Pair situation, determine the winner by ‘card number strength,’ and if the numbers are the same, by ‘the strength of the remaining 3 cards.’
In a situation like below — K pairs are the same, the next strong card Q is the same, but the next card is 4 (top) vs. 7 (bottom) — the bottom wins.
Poker Hand 10. High Card
“High Card,” also commonly known as “Buta” (pig), indicates a state where no hand has been formed.
Probability of High Card
| Probability on Flop | Probability by River |
| 50% | 17.4% |
The probability of High Card on the flop is a very high 50%, so it can be said that most people start with High Card.
However, the probability of remaining High Card to the end is low — One Pair may form, or if your starting hand has consecutive suits or numbers, a Straight or Flush might complete.
How to Determine the Winner in High Card vs. High Card
In a High Card vs. High Card situation, determine the winner by ‘card number strength.’
In a situation like below — K is the same, but the next card is 8 (top) vs. 7 (bottom) — the top wins.
Does High Card Always Lose? How to Win with High Card
Since poker is a game where psychological battles decide outcomes, having High Card at the end doesn’t necessarily mean you’ll lose.
For those who want to win comebacks with High Card, learn bluffing. By mastering bluffing techniques, it is possible to get opponents with stronger hands to fold.
Bluffing points are explained in detail in the following article, so please refer to it.
Probability of Getting Each Poker Hand
| Hand | Flop Probability | River Probability |
| Royal Straight Flush | 0.00015% | 0.0032% |
| Straight Flush | 0.0014% | 0.027% |
| Four of a Kind | 0.0024% | 0.16% |
| Full House | 0.14% | 2.6% |
| Flush | 0.2% | 3.25% |
| Straight | 0.39% | 4.62% |
| Three of a Kind | 2.1% | 4.83% |
| Two Pair | 4.75% | 23.5% |
| One Pair | 32% | 43.8% |
| High Card | 50% | 17.4% |
The above table shows the probability of each hand forming from zero, but here we introduce the probability in situations that appear during actual play.
These are more useful probabilities in actual play than the hand completion probabilities, so make sure to understand them.
Probability of Completing a Flush from a Flush Draw
A flush draw is a situation where drawing one more specific suit card completes a Flush. With 1 chance it is approximately 19%, with 2 chances it is approximately 35%.
Since there are 4 suits, it’s easy to mistake it for 25%, but since 4 cards have already appeared, the probability is lower.
In draw situations like this, the number of outs (cards you want to draw to complete a hand) is important.
A flush draw is a good example of how when the card you want is already visible, the proportion of effective cards in the total decreases, lowering the probability of drawing it.
Probability of Two Pair Becoming a Full House
The probability of Two Pair becoming a Full House is approximately 8% with 1 chance and approximately 16% with 2 chances.
The outs for Full House are 2 types × 2 cards = 4 cards from either of the two pairs.
If Full House is made, you rarely lose to another hand.However, when the core of the hand composition is from community cards, there is a possibility your opponent also has Full House or Four of a Kind, so play without letting your guard down to the end.
Probability of a Set Becoming a Full House
A set is a situation like Hand: 2-2, Flop: 8-2-A, where drawing another matching card would make a Full House.
The probability of a set becoming a Full House is: with 1 chance, outs are 2 types × 3 cards = 6 cards, so 12%. With 2 chances, 1st round outs are 2 types × 3 cards = 6 cards, 2nd round outs are 3 types × 3 cards = 9 cards, so approximately 30%.
A set can also form Four of a Kind — 1 out per chance means approximately 2% probability of Four of a Kind per chance. For more details on set probabilities, refer to the following article.
Probability of Open-Ended Flush Draw Completing
An open-ended straight flush draw is a situation where both an open-ended straight draw (e.g., 5678 — a straight completes with cards from either end) and a flush draw are simultaneously occurring.
It is one of the most powerful draw situations when no hand has yet been formed.
With 1 chance it is approximately 32%, and with 2 chances approximately 54% for a Straight or Flush to complete.
For more on the probability of completing a Straight, refer to the following article.
Frequently Asked Questions About Poker Hands
As a beginner, you’ll often have questions while playing poker.
How Is the Winner Decided When Hands Are Tied?
○When hands are the same
The winner is decided by number strength.
Number ranking: “A (Ace) → K (King) → … → 4 → 3 → 2“
Take the case of One Pair of 3s vs. One Pair of 4s as an example.
Since 4 is a stronger number, the side with the pair of 4s wins.
When Numbers Are the Same
The winner is then decided by the next card’s strength.
In a match where Player A has One Pair of 3s and Player B also has One Pair of 3s — if the 3rd card is A (Ace) for Player A and K (King) for Player B — Player A wins. 〈If the 3rd number is also the same, the 4th number decides, and if the 4th is the same, the 5th number’s strength decides〉
When All Numbers Are the Same
The winner is decided by suit strength.
Suit ranking: “♠ (Spades) → ❤ (Hearts) → ♦ (Diamonds) → ♣ (Clubs)“
For example, when Straights have the same numbers like below, ♠ is stronger than ♦, so the top hand wins.
What Happens When Both the Number and Suit of a Hand Are the Same?
Basically, poker is played with 52 cards, so even if hands and numbers match, suits cannot be the same.
However, when there are many players and two decks are used, such a situation can arise.
In that case, it’s a draw, and winnings are split. A draw in poker is called a ‘chop.’ For details on split distribution methods, refer to the following article.
What is the Recommended Way for Beginners to Memorize Poker Hands?
Many people feel that they just can’t memorize poker hands.
Continuing to not memorize can make you feel bad about yourself and affects your motivation to continue playing poker.
That’s true… I have a bad memory and sometimes get confused… I’m not good at memorizing things..
There’s quite a lot to memorize in poker, not just hands… It’s hard to introduce a ‘surefire way to memorize,’ but let me introduce something like tips for memorizing…!
The points to keep in mind to memorize poker hands are:
Points for Memorizing Poker Hands
- Keep a reference list somewhere you can see it quickly and keep it open
- Repeatedly play poker with the list in a state where you can check it quickly
- Check the list immediately whenever you don’t know something
The important thing is: when you think “I can’t remember…,” don’t force it — check the correct answer immediately right then and there.
When you don’t know something, there are two states: “not in your head (don’t know it)” and “it’s in your head but won’t come out (can’t remember).”
The first thing to tackle is eliminating the ‘not in your head’ state and moving to the ‘I know it but can’t remember’ state.
If it’s not in your head yet, no matter how hard you try, the right answer won’t come out… No matter how hard you rack your brain, there’s no answer in your head..
That’s why the important thing is to look at the correct answer immediately when you feel you don’t know.
By checking the correct answer every time you feel you don’t know, the answers gradually get imprinted in your head.
Also, repeating this over and over also serves as practice for recall.
Therefore, especially for beginners, it’s important to develop the habit of ‘don’t know → look at the answer immediately’ without forcing it.
The Best Way to Memorize Hands Is to Learn While Playing!
For those who want to memorize hands, the fastest shortcut is to just play and see and experience various hands in practice.
For those who want to play at any time or want to accumulate as many rounds as possible, “Online Poker“ is recommended!
For the latest recommended online poker that is easy to enjoy even for beginners, refer to the following article.
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Learn the Hands and Enjoy Poker to the Fullest!
To summarize poker hands, in Texas Hold’em the following rules apply:
●Hand Strength Order
Royal Straight Flush > Straight Flush > (Five of a Kind) Four of a Kind > Full House > Flush > Straight > Three of a Kind > Two Pair > One Pair > High Card
●When Hands Are the Same Strength
The side with the stronger number wins. If numbers are also the same, it is basically a draw. However, in Japan, suits may decide the winner.
Since hands have probabilities, keeping them in mind alongside the poker hand quick reference chart will let you enjoy poker more and win more games.
For those who want to accumulate more experience, KK Poker — which has many Japanese players among online poker options — is recommended.
When signing up for KKPoker, enter the special bonus code “82237” or register via our site to receive luxury rewards!
[Site Limited Bonus]
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- Exclusive luxury prize draws
- Rakeback bonuses
[Club Features]
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- One of the largest official communities with 8,000+ members!
- Exclusive club tournaments!
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