Depending on which poker game you are playing at the time the rules can change a bit from game to game. The rules will not change the strength or weakness of each poker hand though. There are a few unpopular variations of poker that consider the lowest hand to be the highest, but these games are very unpopular and not played by many.
One someone decides that they want to learn how to play poker they need to make sure that they understand the deck of cards that is going to be used to play poker with. All poker decks will have 4 different suits in the deck. All of these different suits will have some kind of numerical value on it. The numerical values will be queen, king, jack, ace, and the numbered cards 2 through ten.
Once you start playing poker you will see that it is relatively similar to most other card games. That your ultimate goal is to combine the cards that you hold in your hand to make the best possible hand. Of course in other card games different hands have different strengths than in poker, but it is the same basic concept. The poker hand strength list is as follows.
The Royal Flush: This is the top hand in poker. It is unbeatable, and because it is so good it is very hard to draw. Some of the best poker players in the world have been playing for decades and still have not gotten dealt one. This hand is ten through ace all of the same suit.
Straight Flush: This hand differs from the royal in that the cards need not be in numerical order 10 through the ace. The cards do need to be five cards in sequential order and all of the same suit. This is another very strong hand, and being so it is also very hard to draw to. It is only beaten by a royal flush and of course a straight flush that is higher.
The Full House: This hand consists of 5 cards. Three of one numerical value, and two other matching numerical value cards. A example would be seven, seven, seven, two and two. This hand is one of the top value hands and is not beaten by much. It can only be topped by a straight flush, higher full house, and a royal flush.
Straight: This hand has 5 cards that are in numerical order. They do not have to be of any particular suit. One example of this would be 9 of hearts, 10 of diamonds, jack of spades, queen of clubs, and king of spades. If two players both hold straights the winner is determined by whose straight holds the highest numbered card.
The Flush: The flush is a pretty good hand in poker. This hand has 5 cards that have any number value and all have the same suit. If two players were to both be holding a flush at the same time the winner of the hand would be determined by whose flush has the highest card in it.
Three of a kind: This hand is also referred to by poker players as trips or a set. This hand is pretty straight forward in that it consists of three cards consisting of the same numerical value.
One someone decides that they want to learn how to play poker they need to make sure that they understand the deck of cards that is going to be used to play poker with. All poker decks will have 4 different suits in the deck. All of these different suits will have some kind of numerical value on it. The numerical values will be queen, king, jack, ace, and the numbered cards 2 through ten.
Once you start playing poker you will see that it is relatively similar to most other card games. That your ultimate goal is to combine the cards that you hold in your hand to make the best possible hand. Of course in other card games different hands have different strengths than in poker, but it is the same basic concept. The poker hand strength list is as follows.
The Royal Flush: This is the top hand in poker. It is unbeatable, and because it is so good it is very hard to draw. Some of the best poker players in the world have been playing for decades and still have not gotten dealt one. This hand is ten through ace all of the same suit.
Straight Flush: This hand differs from the royal in that the cards need not be in numerical order 10 through the ace. The cards do need to be five cards in sequential order and all of the same suit. This is another very strong hand, and being so it is also very hard to draw to. It is only beaten by a royal flush and of course a straight flush that is higher.
The Full House: This hand consists of 5 cards. Three of one numerical value, and two other matching numerical value cards. A example would be seven, seven, seven, two and two. This hand is one of the top value hands and is not beaten by much. It can only be topped by a straight flush, higher full house, and a royal flush.
Straight: This hand has 5 cards that are in numerical order. They do not have to be of any particular suit. One example of this would be 9 of hearts, 10 of diamonds, jack of spades, queen of clubs, and king of spades. If two players both hold straights the winner is determined by whose straight holds the highest numbered card.
The Flush: The flush is a pretty good hand in poker. This hand has 5 cards that have any number value and all have the same suit. If two players were to both be holding a flush at the same time the winner of the hand would be determined by whose flush has the highest card in it.
Three of a kind: This hand is also referred to by poker players as trips or a set. This hand is pretty straight forward in that it consists of three cards consisting of the same numerical value.
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