What Beats What in Poker Poker is a captivating game that involves skill, strategy, and a little bit of luck. Understanding the ranking of poker hands is crucial to becoming a successful player. In this article, we will explore what beats what in poker, starting from the strongest hand to the weakest. The Royal Flush is the most powerful hand you can have in poker. It consists of the following cards in the same suit: Ace, King, Queen, Jack, and Ten. This hand is exceptionally rare, but if you have it, you are virtually unbeatable. Coming in second is the Straight Flush. This hand consists of any five consecutive cards in the same suit. For example, 6, 7, 8, 9, and 10 of hearts would be a Straight Flush. If two players have a Straight Flush, the one with the highest-ranking card wins. Next up is the Four of a Kind, which is self-explanatory. This hand contains all four cards of the same rank, such as four Queens. If two players have Four of a Kind, the one with the higher ranking cards wins. The Full House comes after the Four of a Kind. It consists of three cards of the same rank, along with a pair of cards of a different rank. For example, three Kings and two Fives would be a Full House. If two players have a Full House, the one with the higher ranking three cards wins. The Flush is next on the list. A Flush includes any five cards in the same suit, but they do not have to be in any particular order. If two players have a Flush, the one with the highest-ranking card wins. If that card is also tied, the next highest-ranking card will determine the winner, and so on. Following the Flush is the Straight. This hand consists of any five consecutive cards in different suits. In case of a tie, the player with the highest-ranking card wins. The Three of a Kind comes after the Straight. It contains three cards of the same rank. If two players have Three of a Kind, the one with higher-ranking cards wins. The Two Pair is next, which is self-explanatory. It contains two pairs of cards with the same rank. If two players have Two Pair, the one with the highest-ranking pair wins. If they have the same highest pair, the second pair will determine the winner. Lastly, we have the One Pair. This hand consists of two cards of the same rank. If two players have a One Pair, the one with the highest-ranking pair wins. If both have the same pair, the highest-ranking card outside the pair will determine the winner. Now that you know what beats what in poker, you can use this knowledge to improve your game. Remember, practice makes perfect, and understanding the hierarchy of poker hands is an essential step towards becoming a skilled player.