Basic Rules and Hand Ranks

Poker, typically, uses a standard pack of 52 cards (in some poker variants, multiple packs are used or wild cards like jokers are added). Individual cards are ranked A (ace-highest), K (king), Q (queen), J (jack), 10, 9, 8, 7, 6, 5, 4, 3, 2 (lowest). However, A can also be the lowest card depending on the variation played but is usually the highest.

There are 4 suits – spades, hearts, diamonds and clubs. Suits have no value. In most poker variants, if 2 players hold hands that are similar but different suits, they are tied and the pot is split. The number of cards dealt is dependent on the type of poker game being played – 5 cards for 5 card stud, 7 cards for 7 card stud. A hand always consists of 5 cards. Some poker games use wild cards which can be whatever rank or suit the player in possession desires. A wild card can either be a separate card like a joker or a certain card in the standard deck such as deuces, one-eyed jacks, etc.). The object of a poker game is to get the highest valued hand ranked as follows:

  • Royal Flush – It is an ace-high straight flush – five cards in sequence and of the same suit. Ex: AS-KS-QS-JS-10S
  • Straight Flush – This hand has 5 cards of the same suit. Ex: 5D-6D-7D-8D-9D
  • Four of a Kind – This hand has 4 cards of the same rank. Ex: 6D-6S-6H-6C
  • Full House – This poker hand contains 3 cards of the same rank and two of another rank. Ex: 7S-7H-7D-KH-KS
  • Flush – All of the cards are of the same suit. Ex: QH-JH-8H-4H-2H
  • Straight – The 5 cards are all in order. A can be considered higher than the king or lower than 2. Ex: 5D-4S-3H-2D-AD
  • Three of a Kind – This poker hand consists of 3 cards of the same rank with 2 cards that are not a pair. Ex: QH-QS-QC-5H-3C
  • Two Pair – There are 2 pairs of cards each of the same rank and a 5th card. Ex: JH-JS-5D-5H-3C
  • One Pair – There are 2 cards of the same rank with 3 distinct cards. Ex: 8H-8D-10S-4H-2S
  • High Card – It is also known as a “no pair” hand. If no player has a poker hand that qualifies as one of the above, the hand with the highest card wins. Ex: Ace High (AD-10S-9H-6D-4H)

Note: D stands for Diamond, H for Heart, S for Spade and C for Club


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