There are nine basic hands at Texas Hold’em and they go as follows. The lowest hand is no pair although there are all different types of no pair hands. A hand like A-K-9-4-2 is better than Q-J-7-3-2 as ace high beats queen high. Then we have the next ranking which is a pair but once again there are all different rankings within rankings. A pair of aces beats a pair of fives for example. Then we have two pair which is the next ranking up. Here the same principle applies and a hand like Q-Q-4-4-5 beats 9-9-7-7-2.
The next hand ranking is three of a kind and once again the difference in threes of a kind is evident. A hand like Q-Q-Q-10-9 beats 9-9-9-A-K and even beats Q-Q-Q-3-2. The next hand up the ladder is a straight where all five cards are connected as in 10-9-8-7-6. The highest possible straight is A-K-Q-J-10. Then we have a flush where all five cards are of the same suit. The highest possible flush is an ace high flush with the highest ace high flush being A-K-Q-J-9. If the nine were a ten then it wouldn’t be just a flush but a royal flush which is the best possible hand.
The next hand is a full house with three of a kind and pair. So 7-7-7-4-4 is a full house but that still loses to say 7-7-7-9-9 or J-J-J-3-3. Then we get to the really rare hands like quads or four of a kind depending on what terminology you prefer. The highest possible four of a kind is four aces followed by four kings etc. The highest ranking is a straight flush where all five cards are in sequence and also all of the same suit as in 9c-8c-7c-6c-5c with the highest possible straight flush being a royal flush.
