Five-card hands are the basis for the ranking system in poker.
The ranking of the hands is based on the probability of being dealt
that hand. When wild cards are introduced, there is also a possibility
of having 5 of a kind, which ranks above all other poker hands.
Royal Flush: The ten, jack, queen, king, and ace in the same suit.
Straight Flush: Five cards of the same suit in sequence.
Four of a Kind: Four cards of the same number.
Full House: Three cards with the same number, and two cards
with the same number.
Flush: Five cards which are the same suit.
Straight: Five cards in sequence, but not of the same suit.
Three of a Kind: Three cards of the same number.
Two Pair: Two sets of matching cards.
Pair: Two cards of the same number.
High Card: If no other combinations exist, the player with
the highest card wins.
In the case where two players have matching hands, the player with the
higher ranking cards wins. For example, if a showdown results in two players,
one having a pair of fours, and the other having a pair of jacks; the
player with the pair of jacks is the winner. If hands are equal, but of
different suits, the result is a tie, and the pot is split.
One variant of poker has players compete for the lowest hand. This is
known as lowball or low poker. The most common ranking system for lowball
is known as ace to five low; straights and flushes are ignored, and aces
are considered low.
