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Poker Hands – Learn Poker Basics

How to play holdem – the most popular variation of poker? Are holdem hands any different from other poker hands? You will find answers to all your questions about online holdem and online poker on the whole at our poker school. We offer you an opportunity to learn poker basics and rules of poker, get tips, improve your skills and abilities. First, look at the table below to learn the schedule of poker lessons and pick classes that would be the most convenient for you:

Hundreds of poker variations are played around the world, and most of them agree on one point – the ranking of poker hands. The poker hand ranking given below is almost universal, and it is the fundamental piece of knowledge which is a must when you start out on your poker career.

• Royal flush – the best ever possible poker hand. This hand is made up from five cards in sequence and of the same suit, but must be all high number cards. This is a very rare poker hand. This is the most valuable hand you can get in poker and it just can’t be beat. A Royal Flush hand is made up of 10, Jack, Queen, King and Ace, all of the same suit.

• Straight flush – the best possible poker hand is the straight flush. That is, five cards in sequence and of the same suit. It is very rare just like royal flush. If two players both hold a straight flush, the one with the highest card wins. If the highest card is the same, the hands are equal. Different suits do not have different values in poker hands, so a straight flush of hearts does not beat a straight flush of clubs.

• Four of a kind – the second highest poker hand, that is, a hand with four cards that have the same face value. If two players have four of a kind, the one with the highest four cards wins. For example, four tens beat four eights. If two players have four of a kind with the same four cards, the one with the highest fifth card wins. The fifth card is called a side card, or kicker. If the side cards are of the same face value as well, the hands are deemed equal and the pot is split.

• Full house – a full house is a hand with one three of a kind and one pair. If two players have a full house, the one with the highest three of a kind wins. If the three of a kind’s are the same, the one with the highest pair wins. If the pairs too are the same, the hands are equal and the pot is split.

• Flush – all five cards of the same suit. If two players have a flush, the hand with the highest card wins. If these are equal, the one with the highest second card wins, and so on. If all cards are equal, the hands tie and the pot is split.

• Straight – all five cards in number sequence. If two players have a straight, the one with the highest card wins. If both straights have the same highest card, the hands are equal and the pot is split.

• Three of a kind – three cards of the same face value, given that the remaining two cards do not constitute a pair. If two players have three of a kind, the one with the best three cards wins. If the three cards are the same, the hand with the highest side card wins, or if the highest side cards too are equal, the one with the best second highest side card wins. If both second side cards are equal as well, the hands are equal and the pot is split.

• Two pair – two pair is just what it is, two cards of one face value and two cards of another. If two players have two pair, the player with the highest pair wins, or if these are equal, the player with the highest second pair wins. If the highest and lowest pair are equal between the hands, the hand with best highest side card wins. If these too are equal, the hands tie and the pot is split.

• Pair – two cards in the hand of the same face value. If two players have a pair, the one with the highest pair wins. If the pairs are of the same face value, the hand with the highest side card wins, or if these too are equal, the one with the highest second card wins, and so on. If both pairs and all side cards are equal, the hands are of equal value and the pot is split.

• The hand with the highest card – if no hand contains any of the combinations described above, the hand with the highest individual card is the highest hand. A hand containing an ace is higher than a hand with a king high. A hand with a king is higher than a hand with a ten high, and so on. If two hands have the same high card, the hand with the highest second card wins, and so on. If all five cards are equal, the hands are equal and the pot is split.

Hopefully, this information will help you master the poker game. Welcome to our poker classes where you’ll learn more about the poker origin , read valuable poker reviews, improve your poker skills and play with real poker professionals.