The Rankings of Poker Hands as an Intrinsic Rule of Texas Holdem
In learning the rules of the Texas Holdem poker game, one of the most important aspects that players should know is the poker hand rankings. This aspect is very much intrinsic to the game itself. It cannot be and should not be separated from the game. This rule is pretty much simple. The higher poker hands always dominate the lower poker hands, while the lower hands always succumb to the higher hands.
The poker hand rankings are the basis upon which the winners and losers of the Texas Holdem poker game are determined. These are what the players are playing with each other. The game cannot exist without the different rankings of poker hands. This is one of the most important aspects of the game that players should know by heart if they are to play the game. Ignorance of such vital information would hinder any person from being able to play Texas Holdem.
It all starts with the lowest hand that is called a high card. Such card combination is very low because it has nothing and it solely relies on the highest valued card in the set. A classic example of such hand would be K, J, 9, 3, and 5. These cards also have different suits. Next in line would be the one pair. This card combination contains a single pair going with three individual and unrelated cards. A good example of this hand would be 4, 4, 6, 7, and 10.
Next in the rankings would the two pair. Contrary to the one pair, this card combination contains a couple of pairs that go with an individual card. A good example would be 6, 6, 8, J, and J. The two pair hand is closely followed by the three-of-a-kind hand. This one contains three cards having similar values going with two unrelated cards. A clear example would be K, K, K, J, and A.
The straight poker hand is next in the poker hand rankings. This hand is basically made up of five cards that can be arranged in sequence. Another important thing to note about this hand is that all the cards do not have similar suits. An example would be 5, 6, 7, 8, and 9. After the straight, the flush will follow. This hand is basically made up of five cards all having the same suit. A good example would be 9, 10, 4, K, and A, all diamonds.
The last four hands to be discussed here are the highest valued hands in the poker hand rankings. These are the full house, four-of-a-kind, straight flush, and royal flush. The full house is made up of a three-of-a-kind going with a single pair. An example would be 5, 5, 5, 2, and 2. Meanwhile, a four-of-a-kind is made up of four cards having the same value going with an individual card. An example would be 7, 7, 7, 7, and Q.
On the other hand, the straight flush is made up of five cards that can be arranged in sequence and all having the same suit. An example would be 3, 4, 5, 6, and 7, all clubs. The highest hand possible in Texas Holdem poker is the royal flush. It is made up of five cards that can be arranged in sequential order. Its major difference from the royal flush is that it has all the face cards on it. An example would be 10, J, Q, K, and A, all hearts.
