Guide
BD333 Poker Hand Rankings: Strongest to Weakest
The Short Version
- Poker uses ten standard hand ranks from royal flush down to high card.
- Rank first, then card values decide ties.
- Three-card games such as Teen Patti use a different order.
- Know the order before you play any card game with real money.
Every poker-style game depends on knowing which hand beats which. If you learn the order once, you can follow almost any table, from friendly games to casino versions. This article lists the standard five-card ranking from strongest to weakest with simple descriptions, then explains how three-card games differ. Nothing here is specific to a BD333 title, since we could not confirm poker games in the lobby, but the ranking applies wherever standard poker rules are used.
The ten ranks in order
Here is the standard ranking for five-card poker, from the best hand to the weakest.
| Rank | Hand | What it looks like |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Royal flush | Ten to ace, all of the same suit |
| 2 | Straight flush | Five consecutive cards, same suit |
| 3 | Four of a kind | Four cards of the same rank |
| 4 | Full house | Three of one rank and two of another |
| 5 | Flush | Five cards of the same suit |
| 6 | Straight | Five consecutive cards, mixed suits |
| 7 | Three of a kind | Three cards of the same rank |
| 8 | Two pair | Two different pairs |
| 9 | One pair | Two cards of the same rank |
| 10 | High card | None of the above; highest card plays |
How ties are broken
If two players have the same type of hand, the higher cards decide. A pair of kings beats a pair of nines. If the pairs match, the remaining cards, called kickers, are compared. Suits do not rank in standard poker, so two identical hands split the pot.
Good to know: an ace can be high or low in a straight, so A-2-3-4-5 is a straight, and 10-J-Q-K-A is the highest straight.
If you ever feel unsure at a real table, ask the dealer or another player to confirm the ranking before the cards are shown. Friendly games usually welcome the question, and it is far better than guessing wrong with money on the line.
Common mix-ups
People often confuse a flush with a straight, or think two pair beats three of a kind. It does not. Three of a kind is stronger, because it is harder to get. A simple memory trick is that rarer hands rank higher.
Another mix-up is that a full house needs a pair and three of a kind, not two pairs. Writing the table on a piece of paper while you learn is perfectly fine.
Three-card games use a different order
In Teen Patti, only three cards are used, which changes how likely each hand is. A sequence there is rarer than a color, so the order differs from five-card poker. Our Teen Patti guide lists that order. Do not apply the five-card ranking to a three-card game.
Hand strength is not winning chance
Knowing the rank order does not tell you whether to bet. The number of players, the cards on the table and the betting all matter. In casino versions where you play against the house, the paytable on screen is the final word on what a hand pays.
If you play for money, treat it as spending and use a limit. See the responsible gaming page for habits that help.
Where to practice
Practice with a real deck at home with friends, using no money. It is the fastest way to remember the order. Then, if you move to a table game, check its rules and limits first. The live casino hub lists the table games we explain.
A small cheat sheet on your phone is useful while you learn, but try to memorize the order within a week or two. Players who have to look up the ranking every hand tend to slow the game down and make rushed choices.
Easy steps
Learn the rankings in 3 steps
- 1Learn the top and bottom
Start with royal flush at the top and high card at the bottom.
- 2Memorize the middle
Remember that rarer hands rank higher and practice with a physical deck.
- 3Check the game
Confirm whether the game uses five cards or three before you play.
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Spotted in the BD333 lobby on 5 November 2026. The lobby changes over time.
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Good questions
Does a flush beat a straight?
Yes. A flush, five cards of the same suit, ranks higher than a straight.
Do suits matter in poker?
Not for ranking in standard poker. Equal hands split the pot.
What is a kicker?
The extra card used to break ties between hands of the same type, such as two pairs with the same top pair.
Is this ranking used in every card game?
No. Games like Teen Patti use three cards and a different order, so always check the game rules.