What is the most important thing in poker? That’s right: poker combinations. They determine who won and who lost. Is your hand in the top three strongest combinations? Congratulations! You’ve likely won.
There are a lot of combinations. That’s an advantage of the game. It makes it more interesting and unpredictable. Even if you have a good hand, your opponents might have an even stronger poker hand.
The poker game became especially popular with the Our article is dedicated to poker hands. You will learn what they are and which combinations exist. If you’re a beginner, you’ll be ready to start your first game right after reading this tutorial.
What are Poker Hands and Combinations?
During the game, poker combinations are the cards you have. Players receive them randomly. You don’t have to take all the cards laid out on the table. You can decline certain cards if you think they might interfere with collecting a specific combination.
Of course, poker combinations depend largely on luck. If you have “bad” cards, there’s not much you can do. However, weak combinations can still lead to victory under certain conditions. Experienced players use various strategies that help them achieve success over the long run, even in such circumstances.
Important! When collecting a poker hand, remember that you can only change your existing combination by taking new cards. The cards you already have cannot be given away.
Poker Hands Ranking
Let’s get down to specifics. Here is the poker hand order. We will start from the weakest combinations and progress to the strongest ones.
1. High card
This isn’t really a combination, but it’s worth mentioning. Sometimes, none of the players form a hand. It means the cards are unconnected by any combination. How is the winner determined in this case? Very simply. The player with the highest single card wins. The strength of a card is determined in the classic way. The weakest card is a two, and the strongest is an Ace.
2. Pair
Now we move on to the actual poker hands ranking. A pair is two cards of the same rank. The cards can have different suits. For example, a pair would be a nine of hearts and a nine of spades. This is the weakest combination. But, under certain circumstances, it can still bring you a victory.
3. Two pairs
This is self-explanatory. The player has four cards. They are divided into two pairs of the same rank.
4. Three of a kind
This combination consists of three cards of the same rank. The other two cards are irrelevant. For example, you might have three Queens, an eight, and a Jack. The three Queens form the combination. It’s a quite strong hand, but it doesn’t guarantee a win.
5. Straight
We are moving to more complex combinations in poker hand rankings. You need to collect five cards in sequence. Example: 7, 8, 9, 10, Jack. This is harder to achieve because you need to use all five cards to form the combination.
6. Flush
You need five cards of the same suit. Their rank doesn’t matter. Example: Queen, Ace, Jack, 2, and 5 of spades. If several players have a flush, the winner is determined by the highest card in the flush.
7. Full house
Now we have the “combination of combinations”. A full house consists of three of a kind and a pair. For example, you have three Kings and two Jacks.
8. Four of a kind
This combination has its place in the top three of poker hand strength. It’s difficult to collect, but simple to explain. You need four cards of the same rank. For example, four Kings, four Jacks, and so on.
9. Straight flush
We’ve reached the “silver” of the rankings. A straight flush consists of five cards in sequence. All of them must have the same suit. Example: 2, 3, 4, 5, 6 of clubs.
10. Royal flush
Here it is – the dream of all poker players! Even the name sounds majestic. The chance of collecting this combination is 0.003%. A royal flush is 10, Jack, Queen, King, and Ace of the same suit. As you can guess, without monstrous luck, it’s impossible to form this combination.
Have no experience but want to start playing poker right now? There’s no need to memorize all the combinations by heart. Use a cheat sheet. Many players who now earn millions in poker started exactly this way. Why not? It’s not considered cheating or unfair play.
We have decided to make such a cheat sheet for you. Read the next section.
Poker Hands Chart
Here’s a simple and clear poker hands chart. Use it freely!You can use this poker hand chart in two ways. You can choose the desired combination before the round begins. And you can refer to the chart after the dealer has dealt your cards. Predict which combination will be easiest for you to collect.
| Combination | Description |
| High card | The single strongest card. Example: Ace. |
| Pair | Two cards of the same rank. Example: two sixes. |
| Two pairs | Four cards, divided into two pairs. Example: two Queens, two Aces. |
| Three of a kind | Three cards of the same rank. Example: three tens. |
| Straight | Five cards in sequence. Example: 7, 8, 9, 10, Jack. |
| Flush | Five cards of the same suit. Example: Queen, Ace, Jack, 2, and 5 of spades. |
| Full house | Three of a kind + pair. Example: three Queens, two Aces. |
| Four of a kind | Four cards of the same rank. Example: four Jacks. |
| Straight flush | Five cards in sequence, all of the same suit. Example: 2, 3, 4, 5, 6 of clubs. |
| Royal flush | 10, Jack, Queen, King, and Ace of the same suit. |
This cheat sheet is useful for players not only as an information source. It allows beginners to focus on the game process without being distracted by trying to remember what each combination means. Concentration is extremely important in poker.
How to Learn and Memorize Poker Hands
Do you want to make the process of memorizing these combinations quicker? No problem. There are several techniques that can help you do that.
Find a paper card or something similar. Write the name of the combination on one side and the explanation of that combination on the other. You can practice during or outside the game. For example, look at the name of the combination written on the card and say the explanation of that hand out loud. Then flip the card and check if you were correct. After a few study sessions, you will have a good knowledge of poker combinations.
Nothing will be as good in this context as real practice. First, you can play poker for fun rather than for real money. You will see how various combinations form during the game. You will observe how the computer determines the winner based on the strength of each hand.
Another very popular method. For example, you can find a good YouTube channel dedicated to teaching beginners in poker. Here, you will definitely find an episode focused on combinations. A good teacher will allow you to quickly learn the essence of poker combinations.
This method helps to quickly memorize not only poker combinations but also anything else. Let’s take the combination “pair” as an example. Create a mental association: a pair is a couple who are in love. A flush is five Labradors of the same color (in poker, a flush consists of five cards of the same suit). Find the associations that work best for you. This will make it easy for you to learn the combinations.
Poker Hand Calculator
A poker hand calculator is software designed to calculate the probability of winning with a particular hand during a specific round of the game. The tool can help you navigate the game quickly. Here’s how it works. You input the cards dealt by the dealer. We mean your own and your opponent’s cards. The software will take all of this into account. Such a tool predicts the outcome. It tells who will win or lose. Also, it explains why that will happen.
You can use the calculator as a training tool. Use it between games. Practice, memorize combinations, and improve your skills.
It can be used as a game assistant. Use it during the game itself. It’s perfect for online card matches. Let’s say the dealer has dealt the cards. You can instantly turn on the calculator to receive advice.
Best and Winning Poker Hands
Poker winning hands can have varying strengths depending on certain circumstances. On paper, two pairs may not seem like the strongest combination. But, the situation in the game can elevate it to a strong one and practically guarantee a winning hand. Let’s look at several factors that influence the power of cards.
Position at the Table
This is a very important factor. A favorable position at the table can allow you to feel like your weak pair is one of the poker best hands.
Position refers to where you sit at the table in relation to the dealer. Imagine you have two pairs. As previously mentioned, this isn’t the strongest option on paper. Now, suppose you are the furthest player from the dealer. You can bluff and announce your decision last. So, if your opponent folds, your pair could bring you victory.
In simpler terms, not only do poker winning hands matter, but your position also influences the aggression of the game. If you’re sitting at the beginning of the betting sessions, even a straight or flush doesn’t guarantee you a win. If you’re at the end, the situation is different.
Playing Style
To play cautiously or aggressively is a personal choice. Sometimes aggression can bring great winnings even in bad situations. A prime example is the draw hand in poker.
Suppose your cards are ranked low on the poker hands’ ranked list. However, you’re just one card away from collecting a solid combination. Should you take the risk? Aggressive players love to take that gamble. Firstly, they get the chance to form the desired combination. Secondly, they make their opponents nervous and fearful. They understand that if you draw a card, there’s a high chance you’ve completed a strong hand.
Playing too cautiously may cost you a win. Even if you have good cards. If you fold because you are scared by your opponents’ combination, you may give the winnings to one of them.
Game Dynamics
There are two types of poker sessions. The first type is a sluggish and cautious game. The second type is hardcore. It is characterized by constant raises and significant risks. In the second scenario, many players try to control themselves and avoid unnecessary risks when they see the game is going out of control.
Under these circumstances, you can win even with a weak combination simply because opponents are playing too carefully. This situation is often observed in the final stages of tournaments. When the stakes are high, many poker players become overly cautious.
Tips on Using Poker Hands in Play
We will give you some recommendations that will help you during gameplay. Experienced players certainly know and use these tips. For beginners, this information will be very useful.
- In the early stages, play only with strong combinations.
Your goal, as a novice, is to minimize risk. To do this, avoid testing your luck with weak hands. - Don’t be afraid to fold.
Many beginners mistakenly believe that folding is equivalent to admitting a defeat. In reality, this is not the case. Folding is a normal part of any poker game. Even experienced players often fold cards. You can confirm this by watching any professional tournaments. - Always consider your position at the table.
Remember what we taught you earlier? The further you are from the dealer, the more aggressive your game can be. Never take unnecessary risks while sitting closest to the dealer. This is a path to losing your money. Especially when you play against experienced players. - Avoid bluffing while you’re a beginner.
Bluffing is a skill. A good player will quickly see your trick if you lack sufficient experience. In the beginning, play as simply as possible. Your objective in the early stages is not to become rich but to gain experience. Once you become experienced, you’ll be able to control your emotions better. You will be able to use your bluff more effectively. - Look at the emotions of other players.
This is an art. These skills also come with experience. Don’t waste time while your opponent considers their move. Pay attention to their facial expressions and watch their eyes. But remember that experienced players may simulate their behavior to catch you off guard. - Don’t hesitate to make semi-bluffs.
This advice is for more experienced players. A semi-bluff is a bet increase when you’re just one card away from collecting a strong combination. Your actions can intimidate opponents and make them fold.
These are the basic recommendations you need to know. The more you play poker, the more complex strategies you can learn.
Poker combinations are the foundation of the game. Master this theory before you start playing more seriously. We recommend printing out our poker hands ranking or taking a screenshot on your phone. This chart will be a valuable resource for you in the early stages of the game.
