Why rankings matter
In Texas Hold'em you combine two private cards with five shared board cards and keep the strongest five-card combination. Knowing the ladder prevents confusing a flush with a straight or misreading kickers at showdown.
Strongest to weakest
| Rank | What it looks like |
|---|---|
| Royal flush | Ace-high straight flush (A-K-Q-J-10 same suit) |
| Straight flush | Five suited cards in sequence |
| Four of a kind | Four cards of one rank |
| Full house | Three of a kind plus a separate pair |
| Flush | Five cards of one suit, not in sequence |
| Straight | Five ranks in a row, mixed suits |
| Three of a kind | Three cards of one rank |
| Two pair | Two different pairs |
| One pair | Two cards of one rank |
| High card | Nothing paired; highest card decides |