July 2009
Which hand beats which?
While there are certain games that call upon alternate use of the hand rankings, such as high-low games, here are the standard ranking of hands, in order of importance, for your edification.
The Ranks of Hands in Poker
From Weakest to Strongest
1 ) High Card--
The lowest ranked hand. This occurs when no other hand can be made:
2 ) One Pair--
two cards of the same value, different suit:
3 ) Two pair--
self explanatory:
When two players have two pair, the player with the highest pair takes the hand (In the event of both players having the same two pair, the player with the highest fifth card, or KICKER wins the hand): 
4 ) Three-of-a-Kind (or trips)--
three cards of the same value, different suit:
5 ) Straight--
5 cards in sequential order. (In the event two players have a straight, the player with the highest card wins. Aces can be used as either the highest, 10,J,Q,K,A, or lowest card, A,2,3,4,5):
6 ) Flush--
5 cards of the same suit (In the event two players have a flush, the player with the highest card wins):
7 ) Full House (or Boat)--
three cards of the same value, with a pair. (In the event two players have a full house, the "trips" of highest value wins the hand):
8 ) Four-of-a-Kind (or Quads)--
four cards of the same value:
9 ) Straight Flush--
a straight, all of the same suit:
10 ) Royal Flush--
the best hand in poker, it is the highest straight flush possible:
Some clarification:
Split Hands--
When two players have the same hand, i.e., the same two pair, the hand with the highest fifth card, i.e., the kicker, wins the hand:
In this example, the first hand, with the queen kicker, wins.
However,
In this example, the five cards are identical. The pot is split.