Know your hands

First, what is a poker hand?

Poker is played in rounds called hands. The word also means the cards you use to try to win.

Your goal is to make your best five-card hand. The cards can form combinations, such as a pair, a straight or a flush.

When players show their cards at the end, the strongest hand wins the chips in the middle, called the pot. Equal best hands share it.

You can also win if everyone else folds — gives up that hand.

Here are the hands, strongest first

Each hand below beats every hand beneath it. For example, a flush beats a straight, and a straight beats a pair.

Matching cards have the same number or letter. Suits are the four symbols: ♠ spades, ♥ hearts, ♦ diamonds and ♣ clubs.

1. 1.Royal flush

   A, K, Q, J, 10 in one suit. The highest straight flush.

   A♠K♠Q♠J♠10♠

2. 2.Straight flush

   Five cards in a row, all the same suit.

   9♣8♣7♣6♣5♣

3. 3.Four of a kind

   Four matching cards, such as four jacks.

   J♠J♥J♣J♦3♠

4. 4.Full house

   Three matching cards plus a pair.

   Q♠Q♥Q♣8♦8♠

5. 5.Flush

   Five cards of the same suit, but not all in a row.

   A♥J♥8♥5♥2♥

6. 6.Straight

   Five cards in a row, with mixed suits.

   9♠8♥7♣6♦5♠

7. 7.Three of a kind

   Three matching cards, such as three sevens.

   7♠7♥7♣K♦2♠

8. 8.Two pair

   Two different pairs, such as two kings and two fours.

   K♠K♥4♣4♦9♠

9. 9.One pair

   Two matching cards, such as two aces.

   A♠A♥8♣5♦2♠

10. 10.High card

    No pair or stronger hand. Your highest card counts first.

    A♠J♦8♣5♥2♠