Poker Hand Nicknames and Significance

If you are brand new to poker (or online poker), then you need to learn pokerbasics. There is even poker school available for anyone who is considering entering poker tournaments where you can play free poker games and refine your skills before you set your foot in. When you learn the basics it will be no time before you can successfully play poker and Texas Hold 'em.

When the game begins you are dealt five cards. In Texas Hold 'em these are dealt in different stages, but you still end up with five. With seven card stud you are dealt seven cards, but can only play five of them. These cards are ranked in value from Ace (A) to King (K). An ace can also be used as a low card in a flush. There are certain orders the five cards can fit into called hands. Certain hands beat other hands, and that is how you win the pot (the bet). Following is a list of those hands and what makes up those hands. They are in order from highest possible winning hand to lowest possible winning hand.

Royal Flush - A royal flush is a 10, Jack (J), Queen (Q), King (K), and Ace (A) of the same suit. It doesn't matter what suit, as long as they are all the same.

Straight Flush - A straight flush is all five in a sequence of the same suit, but not a royal flush. For example it can be 6, 7, 8, 9, and 10 of clubs. If two or more players have a straight flush, the player with the highest top card wins. For example if you have a 6, 7, 8, 9, and 10 of clubs and your opponent has an 8, 9, 10, Jack (J), and Queen (Q) of hearts, your opponent wins because they have the higher top card.

Four of a kind - Four of a kind is a hand that contains four of the same value card. For instance ir you have four 7's, you have four of a kind. If two or more players have four of a kind, the hand with the higher value wins.

Full House - This hand can also be called a full boat. A full house is three cards of a value and two cards of a value. for example two Kings (K) and three Jacks (J) make up a full house. As with the other hands, if two or more players have a full house then the player with the highest value wins.

Flush - A flush is five cards of the same suit. The cards don't have to be in any sequence. If two or more players have a flush then the player with the highest top card wins.

Straight - A straight is a hand that consists of all five cards that fall in a sequence. They do not have to be the same suit. If two or more players have a straight, the player with the highest top card wins.

Three of a kind - Three of a kind is three cards of the same value. If two players have three of a kind, the player with the highest top card wins.

Two pair - Two pair is a hand that has two different pairs of cards with the same value. To clarify, if you have two 3's and two Kings (K) then you have two pair.

One pair - A pair is the lowest possible winning hand in poker. It is simply two cards of the same value.