A royal flush which it is commonly referred to, is really just the highest possible straight flush you can get. When being dealt five cards from a 52 card deck, your odds of getting this beast are about 650,000 to 1.

 

 

The most powerful set of hands in the game, the straight flush can only be defeated by a higher straight flush. Five cards in sequence, and of the same suit are the defining characteristics of this rare hand. In a tie situation, the winning straight flush is that with the highest ranking card.

 

 

Four cards of the same rank, with one card of another rank. This one is plain, simple, and almost always a winner. The highest ranking four cards takes the pot in the event of multiple four of a kind hands in a showdown.

 

 

 

The work horse of your poker arsenal, you will win more huge pots with this amazing hand than with any other. Put three of a kind and a pair together in one five card hand and you get the infamous full house. Call it a "boat" during the showdown for added flare. When two or more full houses come to the showdown, the pot is awarded to the hand with the highest three of a kind. For example, tens over fours (three tens and two fours) would beat fives over aces (three fives and two aces.)

 

 

 

The prettiest of all poker hands, a flush is five cards all of the same suit. In the event there is more than one flush at a showdown, the flush with the highest ranking card or cards wins.

 

 

 

The straight is a powerful, yet susceptible hand in poker. It is five cards in sequence, the highest sequence of five cards wins when more than one straight are revealed during a showdown.

 

 

 

Three cards all of the same rank, and two other cards. The highest off card breaks a tie. Often called "trips" this hand will win you lots of money when played properly in a game of Texas Hold'em!

 

 

 

Two cards of the same rank, plus two other cards of the same rank, and any other card equal two pair. The best two  pair is that with the highest pair. For example, Aces and tens (two aces, two tens) would defeat queens and kings (two queens, two kings.) In the event each player has the same two pair, the player with the highest kicker (the single other card besides the two pair) wins the pot.

 

 

 

Two cards of the same rank, plus three other cards. Highest ranking pair wins the pot. In the event players have the same pairs, the winner is the player with the highest kicker, or highest card of their three remaining cards.

 

 

 

Congratulations, you have nothing! In this situation, the hand with the highest single card takes the pot. If there is a tie, then go through each card and determine the highest until there is a winner. Don't be surprised if you go hands at a time where high card is all you seem to get!