Hand Rankings in Texas Hold 'Em
Hand rankings are the determining factors in Texas Hold 'Em. The rank of one's hand relative to the hands of others will be the sole factor to decide whether one will go home with the pot or not. As such, players who are intending to dabble in the popular poker variant should know the different hand combinations in it and their corresponding rankings.
The following are the hand combinations in Texas Hold 'Em. One should bear in mind that the suits of the cards have no value as in all other incarnations of poker. Another important concept to be familiar with regarding hand ranks is the kicker card. Kicker cards are the side cards included with the combinations in a hand and they are the determining cards when two or more players have the same or equal combination of cards.
Foremost of the hand rankings is the royal flush. As it is the rarest combination for a player to put up, it has the highest value among all the other hands in the game. This particular hand is made up of a ten going straight to an ace, all having the same suit.
Next in line are the straight flushes. Even though it is only second to a royal flush, a straight flush is a rare combination to obtain nonetheless. Straight flushes are straight combinations meaning they are made of five consecutive cards and they are all of the same suit.
Four of a kind is the third-most valuable hand in the game and its name is self-explanatory as it is composed of four cards with the same value. Next to it is a full house, which is made up of three of a kind and a pair. Whenever two or more players have a full house, the one with the highest three of a kind wins.
Flushes are fifth in the line of value in the game. They are five cards with the same suit. The one with the highest card in their flush wins whenever there are more than one flush at the table. Next to flushes are the straights, which are five consecutive cards regardless of their suit. It is important to keep in mind that aces can both be played as a high card and a low card meaning they can be used in sequences of 1 to 5 as a one or in sequences of tens to aces as an ace.
Three of a kind and two pair combinations are seventh and eight in value respectively. Bear in mind that in the case of two or more players having two pairs, the one with the highest pair wins.
Next to two pairs is one pair which is the hand a player would most often get in a match. Because of this, players should be familiar with the kicker concept explained earlier as it will be the one determining which one pair will win whenever two or more are at the table.
Having no combination at all will make one rely on one's high card which is the highest card that one has in one's hand. It is not that common to have no combination at all as a player will most likely put up at least one pair in a round.
Knowing the different hand rankings in Texas Hold 'Em is essential if one is to have a fine start in the popular card game as one's hand will always be the decisive factor if one is to succeed or lose in the game.