Poker, as you know, is a game of hierarchies. It is the order of the hands that determines their strength and what makes a player win or lose in relation to the tied hands of the others.
But that hierarchy is often confusing, especially when one is not experienced enough to know which hand beats which. In addition, there are false beliefs about some hands appearing to be stronger than they really are, so being clear about the rules regarding strength and position on the hand ladder is paramount.
So, let’s see what beats what in poker: what beats a straight in poker, what beats a flush in poker, what beats a full house in poker and so on.
What beats a straight in poker?
There is only one hand that can beat a straight in poker, and that is the royal flush. The odds of a player who manages to hit a straight being beaten by a straight flush are remote, but the possibility exists. A straight in poker is not unbeatable, but more often than not it is the strongest hand on the table.
What beats a flush in poker?
Do not confuse a flush with a straight flush. The main difference is that, while the straight flush is five consecutive cards of the same suit (therefore of the same color), the flush is five cards of the same suit, but not consecutive. For example: 3♦ 5♦ 10♦ J♦ K♦.
There are only three hands that can beat a flush: a full house, a poker or a straight. If we count the royal flush, four.
What beats a full house in poker?
The hand known as a full house, or simply full house, is the combination of a three of a kind and a pair. Below we tell you the difference between a full house and a three of a kind, because both hands tie three cards of the same value, but treat the other two cards differently. With the possibility to hit a three of a kind you can diversify your strategies because you can aim to hit either a three of a kind or a full house.
A full house is only beaten by a poker or a straight.
What beats 4 aces in poker?
In four of a kind, we find a combination of four cards of the same value (not suit) and a random card, which is the kicker. For example: A♦ A♣ A♥ A♠ 8♦.
In this case, we are facing a poker of aces. Within the scale of possibilities of a four of a kind, this is the highest hand. That is, it beats a poker of kings, poker of queens or poker of jacks. But it can be beaten by a straight flush or a royal flush. After straight flushes, it is the strongest poker hand.
What hand beats 3 aces in poker?
This is tricky. Because it depends on whether we are talking about a three of a kind (three aces and two random cards), or a full house, which is a combination of three cards of the same value and a pair. Between these two options, the most valuable is the full house of aces. If we are for example facing A♣ A♥ A♠ 9♦ 9♥, this would be read as a “full house of aces nines”, a hand consisting of a trio of aces and a pair of nines.
A full house can be beaten by a four of a kind, a straight flush and a royal flush. Keep in mind that a full house of aces is one of the most powerful, but the pair also has a lot to say in the ranking of the hand. A full house of aces nines can be beaten by a full house of aces tens and up, for example.
Trios, on the other hand, have a wider range of strong hands, as we see below.
What beats 3 of a kind in poker?
Without being the weakest hand, a three of a kind is one of the most mediocre hands you can make. It is created by combining three cards of the same rank and two random cards. That is the difference between a three of a kind and a full house: if the two cards accompanying a three of a kind are of different values, a three of a kind is created. But if they are a pair, a full house is created. Two hands of different ranks that can change the perspective of the game.
Why is it important to know what beats what in poker?
Because we are talking about the order of the hands, which determines the winner in a head-to-head confrontation for the pot. It’s not just a matter of matching the projects, but also of knowing how to place them in relation to the play of the other opponents.
That’s why it is said that in poker you don’t play with the cards you have, but with those of your opponents. Because your decisions will depend on what you think your opponent is doing, which conditions the whole game.
Also, if you do not have much experience playing poker, it is important that you know that in the hands the kickers are important. In case of a tie, everything depends on them.And keep in mind that a single card can change your whole perspective of the game. It can happen that you are about to close your project and one card ends up tipping the balance in favor of your opponent, leaving your project lame and with no chance of standing up to it. That’s why’s important to know what hands beats what in poker, so you can make the right choices.
