Winning online poker games requires knowing the rules and hands rankings. Learn how to play like a pro in this easy guide.
Winning online poker games requires knowing the rules and hands rankings. Learn how to play like a pro in this easy guide.
Poker is a fun and thrilling game to play. It’s also one of the most popular online casino games in the Philippines. For anyone looking to play online poker, learning the different poker hands and their rankings is key. Fortunately, the hand rankings apply to all types of poker. So, whether you’re playing Omaha or Texas Hold’em, learning once will do.
Fortunately, it’s easy to learn them and once you get the hang of it, you can play like a pro. In this easy guide, we’ll discuss everything you need to know about poker hands and their rankings. Moreover, we’ll walk you through all possible combinations and give you our best tips for winning a poker game.
In poker, the goal is to get the best hand possible. Of course, this applies to both online and regular poker. Although the number of cards in a poker game may differ, the hand rankings determine the winner in all versions. So, it’s essential to understand the different poker hand combinations as well as their strengths.
This is the highest ranking and therefore best poker hand. It consists of 10, J, Q, K, and A, all of the same suit. If two or more hands have a royal flush, the hand with the highest card is the winner.
The straight flush is the second strongest poker hand. It consists of five cards in a sequential order, all in the same suit. For example, 5, 6, 7, 8, and 9 of hearts. If more than two players have a straight flush, the player with the higher value will win.
Also known as Quads, a four-of-a-kind hand is made up of four cards of the same ranking and one other card. For example, Q, Q, Q, Q, and 5. If two players have a four-of-a-kind, the player with the highest ranking four-of-a-kind is the winner.
The full house is a hand that consists of three cards of the same rank and two of another. For Example, A, A, A, and two 7s. If there are more than two full houses, the value of the first three cards decides the winner. And if the three cards tie, the other two cards determine the winner.
This is a hand consisting of five cards of the same suit, but not in sequential order. For example, A, J, 8, 5, 7 is a flush. If two players share a flush, the second-highest card is used to break the tie. And in case the first two cards tie, the third card determines the winner, then the fourth, and finally the fifth.
This hand consists of five cards in sequence, but not in the same suit. For example, A, 2, 3, 4, and 5 but all in different suits are straight. Similarly to a flush, the winner with a straight is determined by the highest value cards.
Also known as trips, this hand is made up of three cards of the same rank and two other non-matching cards. For example, Q, Q, Q, 7, and 6 form a three-of-a-kind. If two or more players have the same three-of-a-kind, the player with the highest ranking hand wins. In the event that the two cards are of the same rank, kickers determine the winner.
A two pair is a hand made up of two cards of the same value, two of another, and a random card. For example, Q, Q, 5, 5, and 8. If two players have a two pair, the winning hand is determined by the highest ranking pair. In a tie, the second pairs are compared.
This hand consists of two cards of the same value and three other random cards. For example, A, A, 3, 8, and 10. If two or more players have one pair, the winning hand is decided by the highest-ranking pair. In the event of a tie, players compare the supporting cards.
This is a hand that doesn’t make any other combination. Hence it’s the lowest-ranking hand. For example, A, Q, 6, 5, and 10 is a possible combination. If more than two players have a high card, the winner is decided by the second, then the third, then the fourth highest card.
Of course, the card rankings in poker are also important when determining the winner. Actually, this is pretty simple as the cards in this real money casino game have a standard ranking. So, the highest card is the Ace and the lowest is usually 2. But let’s look at the exact order:
Ace – The Ace is the most powerful card in poker. It can also work as a low card with a value of 1.
King – The second-highest card is the King. In some variants of poker, it’s the strongest card.
Queen – The third strongest poker card is the Queen, it often leads to winning hands.
Jack – For some variants of poker, you must hold a pair of jacks before the game starts.
The rest of the rank goes according to the cards’ face value. So: 10, 9, 8, 7, 6, 5, 4, 3, and 2.
Generally, poker games adhere to the standard hands ranking which is:
Because there are many different variations of poker, some games don’t feature all of the above combinations. So check out the rules of the particular game you choose beforehand.
To win a game of poker at a real money casino, players must make the best hand possible. Usually, players get to make a combination of five cards in the initial deal. However, some variants allow the use of only three cards or alternatively, the use of additional community cards. Of course, not all players make it to the final round of betting – some fold along the way. In the end, the remaining players reveal their hands, after which the best hand wins. If you have a weaker hand you can still make it to the final round by bluffing.
Although winning in poker involves some luck, there are a few things you can do to improve your chances:
Poker is one of the most popular casino games in the Philippines. But to start winning, learning the different hands rankings is crucial for every player. Fortunately, this part of poker gaming is not difficult at all. Besides, you can play free games at online casinos until you master the game. Of course, for this and real money gaming you’ll need a trustworthy online platform. So check out our casino reviews to find the best match for you.
The best hand in poker is the royal flush. It's the strongest hand. However, it's rare. So, often the player wins with lower ranking combinations.
If there are two players with a four-of-a-kind, the winner is determined by the highest value four-of a-kind.
Of course! But learning the rules of the game significantly improves your chances of winning.