Reference Card #1: Poker Hand Rankings Chart (Printable Quick-Reference Guide)

Welcome to the first Reference Card in our Texas Hold'em Master Class series. This card gives you a complete, printable chart of all ten hand rankings from Royal Flush down to High Card. Keep it next to your practice table for quick reference as you play.

Why You Need a Hand Rankings Reference

Reading helps, but hands-on repetition sticks. Practice this idea at casual tables on Louis & Friends using free virtual chips — no purchase required for the learning tables.

Even experienced players sometimes forget the exact order—especially when comparing a flush to a full house or when the board pairs. Having a printed chart lets you check without stopping the game. In social Texas Hold'em with friends, you can also use it to settle friendly disputes and keep the game moving. For a poker tutorial for beginners, this chart is an essential starting point.

The Complete Hand Rankings Chart (Highest to Lowest)

1. Royal Flush – A♠ K♠ Q♠ J♠ T♠ (ace-high straight flush, same suit)
2. Straight Flush – 9♣ 8♣ 7♣ 6♣ 5♣ (five consecutive same suit, not ace-high)
3. Four of a Kind – A♦ A♠ A♥ A♣ 2♠ (four cards of the same rank)
4. Full House – K♠ K♥ K♦ 9♣ 9♠ (three of a kind plus a pair)
5. Flush – A♦ J♦ 7♦ 5♦ 3♦ (five cards same suit, not consecutive)
6. Straight – T♠ 9♥ 8♦ 7♣ 6♠ (five consecutive ranks, any suits)
7. Three of a Kind – 8♥ 8♦ 8♣ A♠ 4♥ (three cards same rank)
8. Two Pair – Q♠ Q♦ 5♥ 5♠ A♣ (two different pairs)
9. One Pair – J♠ J♦ 9♥ 7♣ 2♠ (one pair)
10. High Card – A♠ K♥ Q♦ J♣ 9♠ (no pair, no straight, no flush)

Kicker reminder: When two players have the same hand (e.g., both have a pair), the player with the higher side card wins. For example, J♠ J♦ A♥ 5♠ 3♣ beats J♦ J♥ K♠ 4♦ 2♣ because the kicker (A♥) outranks (K♠).

Worked Example: Putting the Chart to Use

You hold 9♠ 9♣ in the big blind. The flop comes 9♦ 5♠ 2♣. That's three of a kind (set of nines). Another player holds A♣ 7♣. The turn is 7♥, giving them a pair of sevens. The river is 5♥. Final board: 9♦ 5♠ 2♣ 7♥ 5♥. Your best hand: 9♠ 9♣ 9♦ 5♠ 5♥ → full house (nines full of fives). The opponent has A♣ 7♣ 7♥ 5♠ 5♥ → two pair (sevens and fives). You win. The chart shows full house beats two pair. Without the chart, a beginner might think three of a kind beats two pair — but a full house is higher.

【Video: Hand Rankings Comparison Demo】

Common Mistakes with Hand Rankings

• Confusing flush with straight flush: A flush is any five same-suit cards; a straight flush is five consecutive same-suit cards. The straight flush always ranks higher.
• Forgetting the ace can be low in a straight: A♠ 2♥ 3♦ 4♣ 5♠ is a straight (wheel). Many beginners think ace is only high, but it plays both ways.
• Overlooking the kicker in one-pair hands: If two players both have a pair, the winner is determined by the highest side card(s), not just the pair rank. Use the chart's kicker note.

How to Use This Chart for Free Practice

Print this chart and keep it by your keyboard or phone during a casual Texas Hold'em with friends session. When you play Texas Hold'em in a browser (no download required), open this chart in another tab for instant reference. For social poker no download needed, the chart helps everyone stay on the same page.

Practice Tip

The best way to memorize hand rankings is to play hands at a free practice table. In OpenClaw, you can set up a private room with friends using practice chips and test your knowledge in real time. The more hands you see, the faster the rankings become second nature. Keep this Reference Card handy and you'll be helping your friends too—social Texas Hold'em is about learning together.