Video Poker Hands

Knowing the rank of the video poker hands will allow you to make better decisions when selecting which cards to hold and which to replace. By consulting the payout table, you can analyze your current hand and judge as to whether or not taking a leap of faith gives you decent odds at getting a better winning hand.

Royal Straight Flush
This is the highest hand possible. All five cards are both in sequence and common suit with the high card being an Ace.
Example: A(clubs) - K(clubs) - Q(clubs) - J(clubs) - 10(clubs)

Straight Flush
The second highest video poker hand is he straight flush, which is made up of five cards both in sequence and common suit.
Example: 6(hearts) - 5(hearts) - 4(hearts) - 3(hearts) - 2(hearts)

Four of a Kind
This combination calls for four cards of the same value such as four Queens. The highest ranking four-of-a-kind would be four Aces.
Example: Q(clubs) - Q(diamonds) - Q(hearts) - Q(spades) - 7(hearts)

Full House
This hand is a combination of a three of a kind (three cards of the same value) and a pair. This card combination is often referred to as the boat.
Example: Q(clubs) - Q(diamonds) - Q(hearts) - 7(spades) - 7(hearts)

Flush
Five cards of common suit.
Example: J(spades) - 9(spades) - 5(spades) - K(spades) - 7(spades)

Straight
All five cards are in sequence.
Example: 10(spades) - 9(hearts) - 8(spades) - 7(clubs) - 6(hearts)

Three of a Kind
To make a three-of-a-kind hand, you need three cards of the same value. Naturally, three Aces would be the highest-ranking hand for this combination.
Example: K(diamonds) - K(spades) - K(hearts) - 3(spades) - 10(hearts)

Two Pairs
Pretty self-explanatory, this hand is made up of two sets of two cars that have the same value.
Example: 6(clubs) - 6(hearts) - Q(hearts) - Q(spades) - 4(hearts)

One Pair
The second lowest video poker hand is one pair, which has two cards that have the same face value.
Example: J(clubs) - J(diamonds) - 3(hearts) - Q(spades) - 7(spades)

High Card
When the hand you are left with has no pairs and is not a straight or a flush, its relative value is determined by the highest value card. When two players have no pairs, straight, or flush the winner of the tie is determined by the highest value card in the hand. If the highest cards tie, the tie is broken by the second highest card. Suits are not used to break ties.
Example: 6(diamonds) - J(spades) - 3(hearts) - 9(spades) - 5(clubs)

Know that you know how the video poker hands are ranked, you are ready to play some serious video poker. You can try my free version or you can play for free at GoldenPalace.