Texas Hold'em combinations

Texas Hold'em combinations

In this lesson, we will cover the next stage in learning to play poker and get familiarized with the game basics - Texas Hold'em combinations. Study them and memorize the details, as this is the first thing anyone wishing to learn to play poker should know and use.

Texas Hold'em combination consists of five cards. Of seven cards dealt (two for each player and five community cards), the best combination is selected to be used in the game. The seniority of Texas poker combinations is based on the statistical probability to collect them. The higher is the combination, the better it is, and there are fewer chances to collect it.

All Texas Hold'em poker combinations in descending order

Royal flush

The strongest Hold'em combination. It consists of five cards of the same suit, from ten to Ace. It's worth remembering that there is no suits precedence in poker, so in case two or more players collect a royal flush (which is very unlikely), they divide the pot. 

Straight flush

Five cards of the same suit in consecutive ranking. For example, in the picture, you can see straight flush to Queen. If two or more players hit a straight flush, the combination with the highest top card wins the pot. For example, a straight flush to Queen beats a straight flush to Jack.

Four of a kind (quads)

This Texas Hold'em poker combination is composed of four cards of the same rank plus any other card. In the example, you can see four eights and a five. If two or more players hit quads, the one with the highest cards wins the pot (for instance, four nines beat four eights). If two or more players have got identical quads (which is possible in some poker types), the winner is determined by the kicker (the fifth card). Thus, a player with four eights and a six beats a player with four eights and a five.

Full house

A hand composed of three cards of the same value plus a pair. In our example, you can see three tens and a pair of fives. The rank of three cards determines the full house strength, so three Jacks with a pair of fives would beat our combination. If players collect equal triples, the winner is determined by the rank of the pair: three tens and a pair of fours would be lower than our cards' combination.

Flush

A combination of five cards of the same suit, not consecutive in value. The picture shows flush to the Queen. If several players have a flush, the highest card determines the winner. If the top cards of the players are equal, the winner is determined by the value of the 2nd, 3rd, 4th and 5th cards, respectively.

Straight

This Texas Hold'em poker combination consists of a sequence of unsuited cards. In the picture, you can see a straight to the Jack. Just as in cases described above, if several players hit a straight, the highest card determines the winner. A straight of 6, 7, 8, 9, T, would lose to our combination, and a straight of T, J, Q, K, A, would beat it. However, an Ace can be used as the lowest card for a straight A, 2, 3, 4, 5, and such a combination would lose to a straight of 2, 3, 4, 5, 6.

Set (triple)

Three cards of the same rank plus two other cards. Our example is a triple of fives. A triple of sevens would beat this combination, and a triple of nines would beat a triple of sevens, and so on. If the players collect equal triples, then the winner is determined by the value of the highest kicker, or, if they are equal too, the value of the second kicker.

Two pairs

Two cards of the same rank, two cards of another rank and an additional card. The rank of the hand is determined by the higher of the two pairs in value. If two players collect equal top pairs, the winner is the one with the higher bottom pair. For example, a pair of Aces and a pair of sixes would beat the combination in the picture, as well as a pair of Queens with a pair of sevens. If several players collect two identical pairs, the winner is the one with the higher kicker. So a pair of Kings, a pair of sixes and a four would beat our Texas Hold'em combination.

Pair

Two cards of the same rank. The value of this combination is determined by the rank of the cards. For example, a pair of tens beats the combination in the picture - a pair of eights. If the players have collected equal pairs, the winner is determined by the value of the highest kicker. If the highest cards are equal too, then the second kicker is considered and if necessary, the third one.

High card

The weakest option is the lack of a combination. In this case, the cards are compared according to the seniority from one to five. In this example, we have a combination with the high card Queen. If the players have equal high cards, then the winner is determined by the value of the 2nd, 3rd, 4th, and even the 5th card, if necessary.

To find out how cards make combinations at the poker table, watch the video by our MTT coach Leo DonLeon. Start watching from the minute 3:38.

That’s it! The combination strength depends on the type of poker you play, the number of your opps and many other factors. The more gaming experience you will gain, the better your knowledge on the true power of poker hand will be.