What Are Poker Winning Hands: Lucky Combinations

Undoubtedly, poker is one of the most popular table games ever. And when you decide to delve into this entertainment a bit deeper, then you need not only the general poker rules, but some more advanced tips as well. For example, the meaning of poker winning hands. So right on these combinations depends whether you can win.

Of course, you can’t predict what cards you can get. But it’s much easier to play when you understand the fundamental things of this area and can develop a strategy.

So, how to play poker hands and why is it important?

Combinations in Poker: What Are They?

As the game is based on various card combinations, the winners are those who manage to gather the highest ones. The outcome depends both on the matter of luck and the skills of a player.

You should learn poker combinations for several reasons:

not to miss a chance to win when the starting cards are good;
to fold in time when you realise that there are no chances;
to find out your odds;
to work on your own strategy.

Besides, it’s more interesting to play when you understand what is going on here.

Important to know: when you know the actual combinations and see your first two cards, you can understand whether there is any point in going on playing.

Poker Suits

Any poker hands guide can prove: mostly, the suits in poker do not matter - the one can’t be ranked above the other one. The only time when you recall them is when you are going to gather hands like Royal Flush, Straight Flush or Flush. But that matters only because all the suits here must be the same, not because some of them are more valuable. Here are the available ones:

Club ♣;
Diamond ♦;
Heart ♥;
Spade ♠.

Official Poker Hands

There are 10 Texas Holdem hands and here they come.

Royal Flush	This combination is the highest one - A♥ K♥ Q♥ J♥ 10♥. Of course, the suit doesn’t matter, but the thing is that the cards of the combination should be of the same suit, of any one.
Straight Flush	As for this hand, 5 cards of the same suit should be of sequential rank. For example, 8♠ 7♠ 6♠ 5♠ 4♠. When several players manage to get this hand, the cards are compared: the winner is an owner of highest-ranking cards.
Four of a Kind	Everything is easy: you have to collect 4 cards in one rank. For instance, 6♣ 6♠ 6♦ 6♥ 9♥. And again: when several players are in the same situation, the ranks are compared. But not of the 4 cards - only of the kicker card (the fifth one).
Full House	Here, you have 3 cards of a certain rank and 2 cards of another one. For example, 10♣ 10♠ 10♦ 7♣ 7♠ (tens over sevens). In case of players having several hands of this kind, the triplets are compared at first. When they are the same (when playing with 2 packs), the pairs are compared as well - the highest one wins.
Flush	This time, the suit really matters, so you have to collect all 5 cards of the same suit. It’s also called a full boat. For instance, 6♦ J♦ 7♦ K♦ 9♦. Besides, it can be ranked by the highest card.
Straight	This hand looks like Straight Flush in 5 card poker, but the suit doesn’t matter this time. It’s like 6♣ 5♠ 4♠ 3♥ 2♦.
Three of a kind	You’ve already met trips in the Four of a Kind combination. But here only the first set of 3 cards matters - they should be of the same rank. Such as 9♦ 9♠ 9♣ K♠ A♠.
Two Pairs	If you manage to get 2 pairs of cards of the same rank, here it is - 10♠ 10♥ 7♦ 7♥ A♠. When several users get 2 pairs, their ranks are compared. For instance, a pair of kings and a pair of sevens can beat a pair of twos and fours. When they are the same, the winner is chosen by the kicker.
One Pair	It’s like the previous combination, but 1 pair will be enough - 7♦ 7♥ 3♥ 6♠ Q♣.
High Card	Yes, this hand is the lowest one. When you don’t have any higher combinations, the single highest-ranking card you have can lead you to the lucky outcome. In the case with K♠ 5♣ 4♦ 3♦ 2♣, the king will be your high card.

All these poker hand rankings have their own value, so the top of the table shows the highest ones. And on the contrary.

Top-5 Starting Hands

Well, now everything with the best poker hands is clear. When you see all of these cards, of course. But what about the beginning of the game when you see only 2 cards and don’t know how to develop your strategy? Here are the top-5 starting hands that can mostly bring gamblers the winnings.

Pocket Aces

The combination A♥ A♠ is also called «Snake Eyes» or «Pocket Rockets». It’s considered to be the strongest beginning of the game.

Pocket Kings

The other names of the combination K♣ K♦ are «Cowboys» or «King Kong». You can freely go on playing when getting them on your start.

Pocket Queens

Almost the same sense, so the «Ladies» Q♠ Q♦ are going to make your game even more lucky.

Ace-King Suited

It’s a combination of 2 strong cards - A♣ K♣, casino users also call it «Anna Kournikova». Of course, it’s not the strongest hand, but still you can give it a chance.

Pocket Jacks

You can feel confident with this J♥ J♠ combination when 1 more Jack is on the table already. But be careful, especially during the EP raise.

Other Starting Combinations

Of course, the mentioned starting top poker hands can’t guarantee that you are going to end up the game as a winner. Besides, many other combinations can lead you to the profitable outcome - it’s just a matter of luck.

Poker Combinations FAQ

Here are the questions about good poker hands and the things you should learn about them.

Why is it important?

The understanding of these things can help you play more confidently, avoid disadvantages when you see the cards and realise that there are no chances and no sense to call/raise.

What is the best hand?

It’s Royal Flush. You can learn more about the poker hands list in our table - what beats what and so on.

Does the suit matter?

It does, but it doesn’t mean that one suit can be more valuable than another one. It matters only for the combinations that should consist of the same suit only.

And remember: you can learn about gold playing cards or read loads of books. But your best asset is the practice. So get through the theory and enjoy the game!