If you want to win at poker, the first thing to learn is poker hands. No matter if you play Texas Hold’em, Omaha, or any other kind, knowing which hands are strong and how to use them will help you play better and smarter.

What Are Poker Hands?

Poker hands are five-card combinations. These hands are used to decide who wins at the table. The stronger your hand, the better your chance to win the pot. The same rules for hand rankings are used in most poker games.

Poker Hands Ranked From Weakest to Best

Let’s look at all the poker hands from the lowest to the highest. This is the list you should remember when playing any poker game.

High Card

• You don’t have any pair, just one high card.
• If no one has a better hand, the highest card wins.
• Example: A♠ 9♦ 6♣ 4♥ 2♠
• You can still win by bluffing if no one has anything strong.

One Pair

• Two cards of the same number.
• Example: 8♥ 8♠ J♦ 6♣ 3♠
• It’s a common hand. Be careful someone may have a higher pair.

Two Pair

• Two different pairs in the same hand.
• Example: Q♣ Q♦ 7♥ 7♠ 2♠
• A good hand, but you need to watch for better hands like three of a kind or a straight.

Three of a Kind (Trips)

• Three cards of the same value.
• Example: 5♠ 5♥ 5♦ 9♣ 4♥
• Strong hand, especially when others don’t expect it.

Straight

• Five cards in a row, different suits.
• Example: 4♦ 5♠ 6♣ 7♥ 8♦
• Strong hand but be careful if there’s a flush or full house on the board.

Flush

• Five cards of the same suit, not in a row.
• Example: A♥ 9♥ 6♥ 4♥ 2♥
• Beats a straight. Watch out if the board is paired (someone might have a full house).

Full House

• Three of one kind and a pair.
• Example: 10♠ 10♥ 10♦ 3♣ 3♠
• Very strong hand. Great for winning big pots.

Four of a Kind (Quads)

• Four cards of the same number.
• Example: 7♠ 7♥ 7♦ 7♣ 2♠
• Rare but powerful. Almost always wins unless someone has a better four of a kind or a straight flush.

Straight Flush

• Five cards in a row, all the same suit.
• Example: 6♠ 7♠ 8♠ 9♠ 10♠
• One of the best hands in poker. Very rare.

Royal Flush

• A♠ K♠ Q♠ J♠ 10♠ – all the same suit.
• The strongest poker hand possible.
• Almost never happens, but it’s unbeatable.

Simple Poker Strategy for Using Hands

Knowing the hands is only step one. You also need to know when to play them and how. Here’s how to play smart:

1. Play Fewer Hands but Play Strong

• Don’t play every hand. Start with strong ones like big pairs or suited cards.
• Play them aggressively raise and bet, not just call.

2. Bet Big with Big Hands

• If you have a strong hand, don’t wait. Build the pot.
• Don’t slow-play unless you’re sure your opponent is chasing something.

3. Protect Your Big Blind

• When you’re in the big blind, you’ve already put chips in.
• Defend with good hands, but don’t call every raise.

4. Know When to Fold

• It’s okay to fold even good-looking hands if the situation feels dangerous.
• Folding saves chips for better hands.

5. Watch Your Opponents

• If someone keeps checking or avoiding bets, they might be weak.
• You can bluff or bet with medium hands.

6. Play Based on Position

• You play better in later positions (like the dealer button).
• You get to see others act first, which helps you decide.

Real Poker Hand Tips

• On boards with lots of suited or connected cards, even trips may not be safe.
• One pair can win if only two people are in the hand.
• Be careful in multiway pots unless you have a very strong hand.

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