Your poker hand guide

No need to memorise it. Keep this beside you while you play.

One page. White background. Choose “Fit” when printing on A4 or Letter paper.

Strongest at the top

1.Royal flush
A, K, Q, J, 10 in one suit. The highest straight flush.
A♠K♠Q♠J♠10♠
2.Straight flush
Five cards in a row, all the same suit.
9♣8♣7♣6♣5♣
3.Four of a kind
Four matching cards, such as four jacks.
J♠J♥J♣J♦3♠
4.Full house
Three matching cards plus a pair.
Q♠Q♥Q♣8♦8♠
5.Flush
Five cards of the same suit, but not all in a row.
A♥J♥8♥5♥2♥
6.Straight
Five cards in a row, with mixed suits.
9♠8♥7♣6♦5♠
7.Three of a kind
Three matching cards, such as three sevens.
7♠7♥7♣K♦2♠
8.Two pair
Two different pairs, such as two kings and two fours.
K♠K♥4♣4♦9♠
9.One pair
Two matching cards, such as two aces.
A♠A♥8♣5♦2♠
10.High card
No pair or stronger hand. Your highest card counts first.
A♠J♦8♣5♥2♠

Pair, three or four of a kind: compare the matching cards first. Then compare spare cards, called kickers, highest first.

Two pair: compare the higher pair, then the lower pair, then the kicker.

Full house: compare the three matching cards first, then the pair.

Straight or straight flush: the highest card wins. A–2–3–4–5 counts as five-high.

Flush or high card: compare cards from highest to lowest until one wins.

Card order, high to low: A K Q J 10 9 8 7 6 5 4 3 2.

Only five cards count. You can use both, one or neither of your own cards. Suits do not break ties. Equal best five? Split the pot.

An ace can be high or low in a straight. You cannot wrap around: Q–K–A–2–3 is not a straight.

Example: both players have a pair of aces.

Alex has A–A–K–9–4. Sam has A–A–Q–J–8. Alex wins: the king kicker beats the queen. Sam’s jack does not change that.

For adults 18+. Practice chips have no monetary value.