Poker is one of the most exciting card games, whether played offline with friends or online for real rewards. While offline games often come with custom or flexible rules, online poker sticks to the official rules, making the game more competitive, fair, and thrilling. Playing by the real rules not only sharpens your skills but also increases your chances of winning real cash at the right moments. On Pokerstars, you play poker online with real players who share a similar love for poker.
You can only play well in poker when you learn poker the right way and are well aligned with the rules of poker. If you are new to the world of Pokerstars, you can join Pokerstars School to learn all about poker rules. Poker is usually played with 2 to 10 players using a deck of 52 cards.
Knowing About Texas Hold’em Poker Rankings:
These rankings determine who wins the pot and who folds under pressure. Whether you're playing casually with friends or competing in high-stakes online games, understanding the strength of your hand is the foundation of smart poker strategy.
Royal Flush
The highest and unbeatable hand in poker.
A Royal Flush is made up of the top five cards in sequence: Ace, King, Queen, Jack, and Ten, all of the same suit. This rare hand is the crown jewel of poker. Nothing beats it.
Straight Flush
Five cards in a row, all of the same suit.
Second only to a Royal Flush, a Straight Flush combines the sequence of a straight with the consistency of a flush. If two players hold one, the highest last card wins.
Four of a Kind
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Four cards of the same rank, plus one side card.
Also called “quads,” this strong hand beats everything except Straight Flushes and Royal Flushes. If both players have the same four-of-a-kind (rare, but possible), the kicker breaks the tie.
Full House
Three of a kind plus a pair.
A Full House is both powerful and elegant. If two players hold Full Houses, the hand with the higher-ranked trio wins. For instance, 10s full of 7s beats 9s full of Aces.
Flush
Five cards of the same suit, not in sequence.
A Flush can look chaotic, but it packs a punch. If two players have flushes, compare the highest cards first. If needed, go down to the next-highest card until a winner is found.
Straight
Five cards in order, but not the same suit.
The Straight is a clean, sequenced hand. When two players have a Straight, the one with the highest card at the end of the sequence wins. Ace can be high (A-K-Q-J-10) or low (5-4-3-2-A), but not both.
Three of a Kind (Trips)
Three cards of the same rank and two unrelated cards.
Often called “trips,” this hand beats two pair and lower. If two players have the same three of a kind, kickers (the other two cards) come into play to decide the winner.
Two Pair
Two different pairs and one kicker card.
A common hand with a surprising number of tie scenarios. If both players have the same top pair, the second pair is compared. If that’s also equal, the fifth card (kicker) decides it.
One Pair
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A single pair plus three unrelated cards.
Simple but strategic. If two players have the same pair, then their highest kicker wins, followed by the next, and so on. High pairs are strong in short-handed games.
High Card
No combinations, just your highest card matters.
When nothing else forms, your hand is judged by its highest card. In a tie, the second-highest card is checked, then the third, and so on. Aces are highest; 2s are the lowest.
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