Cards in poker are ranked normally and there is no higher ranking suit of cards, all suits are equal. The highest ranking hand in poker is a royal flush; A,K,Q,J,10 all of the same suit (they say the only thing that beats a royal flush is a colt 45).
Following in decreasing order are:
- 4 of a kind (4 cards of the same denomination, one extra card).
- Full House (3 cards of the same denomination + 2 cards of the same denomination).
- Flush (5 cards in consecutive denomination not of the same suit).
- 3 of a kind (3 cards of the same denomination) and 2 pairs.
In addition to this traditional form of poker, a new style has emerged, Texas Hold'em poker is fast becoming the preferred poker game. Texas Hold'em poker is similar to the above except that at the start, each player gets 2 facedown 'hole cards', then 5 face up community cards are dealt. The player who makes the best combination using his 2 hole cards and the 5 community cards, wins. There are those that say Texas Hold'em poker is less stressful as you concentrate on the community cards and do not have to strain to see which cards your opponents are dealt. |
