Hand Ranking

Hand rankings can be confusing, particularly for those new to the game of Poker. What you need to remember is the highest hand is the Royal Flush through to a single High card (lowest). These hand rankings apply to nearly all the different games of online poker.

In Prime Poker, hand rankings are the same as used in any standard poker card game. Texas Hold'em, Omaha, 7-Card Stud and 5-Card Stud, the player holding the highest ranking hand wins the pot. In Omaha Hi/Lo and 7-Card Stud Hi/Lo the pot is split between the highest ranking hand and the lowest ranking hand when a qualifying low hand exists.

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Poker Hand Ranking for High

Royal Flush

Ace, King, Queen, Jack and Ten all in the same suit.

If two or more Royal Flushes exist at showdown, the pot is split.

Straight Flush

Five cards in numerical sequence all in the same suit.

Tied Hand: If two or more Straight Flush exists at showdown, the highest ranked card at the top of the sequence wins the pot. If two or more identical sequences exist, the pot is split.

Four of a Kind

Four cards of the same rank often called a Dead Man's Hand as seen in Westerns.

This is the classic hand with the fifth card being the highest eligible card.

In the case of a Tied Hand: When two or more Four of a Kind exists in a hand, the highest four of a kind wins. Games played with community cards, where players have the same four of a kind, the highest fifth card by rank i.e.: the (kicker) wins. Should the kicker be also of the same rank, the pot is split?

Full House

A hand of three of a Kind; together with two cards of different matching rank.

With a Tied Hand: If two or more Full Houses exist at showdown, the highest three matching cards wins. Games played with community cards where players have the same three matching cards, the highest value of the two matching cards wins. If the hands are identical in rank, the pot is split.

Flush

Five cards of the same matching suit.

Tied Hand: If two or more Flushes exist, the highest ranked card is the winner. When necessary, the second, third, fourth or fifth highest cards are used to break a tie. If two or more exactly ranked flush hands exist, the pot is split.

Straight

Five cards, but not of the same suit in numerical sequence. Highest to lowest.

Tied Hand: If two or more Straights exist at showdown, the Straight with the highest ranked card is the winner. If two or more exactly ranked straights exist, the pot is split.

Three of a kind

As with a full House three cards of matching rank, but in this case no pair for support.

Tied Hand: If two or more same hands exist at showdown, the highest Three of a Kind wins. Games played with community cards where players have the same three matching cards, the highest ranked fourth (or fifth when necessary) card wins. If the hands are identical in rank, the pot is split.

Two Pair

Two cards of matching rank with two additional cards of a different matching rank. The fifth card is an unrelated rank.

Tied Hand: If two or more players have Two Pairs at showdown, the highest pair wins. If the highest pair is the same rank, the highest second pair wins. If both pairs are identical, the highest fifth card by rank (kicker) wins. If the kicker is also of the same rank, the pot is split.

One Pair

Two cards of matching rank with three additional cards of unrelated ranks.

Tied Hand: If two or more players have One Pair, the highest pair by rank wins. If pairs of the same rank exist, the highest ranked unrelated card wins. To differentiate further the second and third highest ranked unrelated cards are used when necessary. If the hands are identical in rank, the pot is split.

High Card

Five cards that are not of the same suit, the highest card in the hand is the only card that can be played.

Tied Hand: If two or more players have High Card at showdown, the highest ranked card wins. The second, third, fourth and fifth highest ranked cards are used when necessary. If the hands are identical in rank, the pot is split.

Poker Hand Ranking for Low

The game can be played using low hand rankings; the individual rank of each of the five cards must be unique. Suits and ranked sequences (flushes and straights) are not considered when ranking low hands making these hands eligible for both the low and high hands. Along with Aces being the highest card for High hand ranks, Aces can be used as the lowest card for low hand ranks.

Five High

The above sequence is also known as the 'bicycle' or 'wheel' - Five, Four, Three, Deuce and Ace.

Tied Hand: This is the lowest possible 'Low' hand. If two or more Five High exist at showdown, the pot is split.

Six High

This is a non-sequential five ranked cards with the highest card being a Six. Notice the numbers do not run concurrent.

Tied Hand: With two or more Six High hands existing at showdown, the lower second ranking card wins. The third, fourth and fifth highest ranked cards are used when necessary. If the hands are identical in rank, the pot is split.

Seven High

Seven high works the same way as six, again uniquely ranked cards with the highest card being a Seven.

Tied Hand: If two or more Seven High exists at showdown, the lower second ranking card wins. The third, fourth and fifth highest ranked cards are used when necessary. If the hands are identical in rank, the pot is split.

Eight High

Eight High is again five uniquely ranked cards with the highest card being an Eight.

Eight, Seven, Six, Five, Four is the weakest hand that qualifies for the 'Low'.

Tied Hand: If two or more Eight High exists at showdown, the lower second ranking card wins. The third, fourth and fifth highest ranked cards are used when necessary. If the hands are identical in rank, the pot is split.

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