Understanding The Meaning of “Poker Hands”

One of the most difficult things for those who are new to poker to learn is the hands. Once a player knows the meaning of a hand, they can play just about any variation of poker with just a few simple rules to guide them. Poker is actually a relatively simple game once you learn what a hand is and how to use it to your advantage.

The term ‘hand’ in poker can actually mean a few things such as:

• A players set of non-communal cards
• A set of five cards with a certain value associated with them such as a hand that is all the same suit, called a flush.
• A unit of play consisting of a deal, one or more rounds of bedding, and quite possiby a showdown.

While these definitions of the term hand may seem confusing when you read them here, as you begin to apply the term to the game, it’ll be easier to understand. Like most games, poker is best learned by observing or attempting to play than just reading alone.

Luckily, there are some general rules that apply to poker hands, regardless of the game that you are playing. Some of these rules are:

Individual cards are ranked to evaluate hands that have to pairs or other special combinations. Cards are ranked in this manner A (high) King, Queen, Jack, 10, 9, 8, 7, 6, 5, 4, 3, 2 (low). Ace is ranked low in ace-to-five and ace-to-six lowball games.

Suits have no value in the game of poker. The suits are used to determine whether a hand fits a certain special combination such as a flush or straigh flush. In most variations of poker, if two players have hands that are the same except for the suit, they’ll simply tie and split the pot. The only other time you’ll see suits used is if a high card by suit is used for randomly selecting a dealer.

Poker hands are ranked first by category and then by individual card rank. This simply means that even the minimum qualifying hand in a high ranking category defeats all hands in lower categories. For example, the smallest ranking two pair hand will deafeat all hands with just one pair or no pairs. Only when there is two hands in the same category will individual card ranks break ties.

A hand always consists of five cards. In poker games where players have more than five cards available, hands are ranked by choosing some five card subset according to the rules of the game, and comparing that hand against the hands of the other players. Whatever cards are left after choosing the five to be played are of no value in determining who has the winning hand.

Cards are not in any particular order, so a cards rank or importance is not affected by it’s dealing order.

The ranking of hands is something useful to know before you ever pull up a seat at a poker table. Once you memorize these hands and how they rank, you’ll be ready to play amongst friends until you are confident enough to start playing in casinos or even amongst friends that play for money.

The most common ranking of hands is:

Royal flush.
A royal flish is five cards in a sequence of the same suit, starting from the Ace down to the ten.

Straight flush.
Any five cards in sequence and of the same suit.

Full house.
A full house is a hand with three cards of one rank and two of another.

Flush.
A flush is five cards of the same suit.

Straight.
A straight is five cards in sequence

Three of a kind.
A three of a kind is three cards of the same rank.

Two pair.
A two pair is two cards of one rank and two of another.

One pair.
A hand with one pair includes two cards of the same rank.

No pair.
Also known as a high card hand.

Knowing the hands and where they rank is what poker is all about. Once you have this information down in your mind you’ll easily be able to work on the bluffing aspect, and playing different variants of poker. As long as you know the rank of the hand you are holding, you’ll be able to play the best game possible. When players don’t go into the game of poker with a strong understanding of which hands out rank which, that is when they end up in trouble, especially when they are playing for money!

The best way to learn the hands of poker is to play with friends or family who are experienced. At first it might seem complicated and even a bit frustrating, but the more you play the easier it will be to see the hands forming before you even have all the cards together. Poker is truly a game that needs to be played again and again to be good, and to be able to strategize for the best results. While poker is said to be a game of chance, it’s also about knowing what to do with the cards you’ve been dealt. Because there is no way to know what you’ll be dealt, or what the other players at the table will have in hand, you need to be able to think of every possible hand, and then create the highest ranking hand possible with what you’ve got. This takes practice, and it won’t just come to you over night. So, when you are trying to learn the hands, get a computer game, or get together with friends and family and practice visualizing what hands you can put together to win the whole pot! Practice, practice, practice and soon you’ll be doing it without really thinking too hard!