Poker is one of the most popular casino games of all time that combines strategic thinking, mathematical calculation, and psychological tactics to allow you to outwit your opponents. Poker can be played by anyone, regardless of background, or skill level. While mastering the game takes time and practice, the basic rules are relatively easy to learn, making it accessible to beginners. If you’ve been interested in learning poker rules but haven’t been sure where to begin, we’ve created an easy guide to poker cards to help you ace your next game.
Four Suits
Before we dive into the specific rules of poker, let’s start with the four sets of poker cards you will find in any pack of playing cards, otherwise known as the suits. In poker, the deck of cards is divided into four suits: hearts, spades, diamonds, and clubs. Each suit has its own unique symbol and characteristics. Each suit contains cards numbered from 2 to 10, along with face cards including Jack, Queen, King, and Ace. These suits are essential in various poker games as they determine the hierarchy of hands and can influence the outcome of the game. Understanding the significance of each suit can help you strategize and make better decisions while playing poker.
Hearts: The heart symbol represents the hearts suit. As suggested, it is usually depicted as a red heart shape.
Spades: Spades are represented by a black spade symbol. You can tell this apart from other suits as this symbol typically resembles a pointed shovel.
Diamonds: The diamond symbol in poker cards is depicted as a red diamond shape.
Clubs: Clubs are represented by a black club symbol, which looks like a three-leaf clover or a club used in some card games.
Poker Hands
Understanding suits is important, but if you truly want to ace your poker strategy it is vital that you memorise the ten main poker hands.
Below are the ten poker hands you need to know to win your next game of poker – we’ve listed them from strongest to weakest. Understanding these poker hands is essential for playing the game and knowing the strength of your poker hand relative to your opponents’.
Royal Flush
A Royal Flush is the absolute best hand in poker and is incredibly rare. It consists of five specific poker cards in sequence from 10 to Ace, all of the same suit. The cards in a Royal Flush are 10, Jack, Queen, King, and Ace, all of the same suit (hearts, diamonds, clubs, or spades). For example, a Royal Flush in hearts would be 10♥️, J♥️, Q♥️, K♥️, A♥️.
Straight Flush
A Straight Flush is the next best poker hand after a Royal Flush. It contains five consecutive cards of the same suit. The cards must be in sequential order, but they don’t have to start with a 10 or end with an Ace. For example, a Straight Flush could be 6♠️, 7♠️, 8♠️, 9♠️, 10♠️.
Four Of A Kind
Four Of A Kind consists of four cards of the same rank and any other card. It’s also known as “quads.” For example, four Kings and any other card, such as K♠️, K♦️, K♣️, K♥️, 7♠️.
Full House
A Full House consists of three cards of one rank and two cards of another rank.
The three cards of the same rank are called the “three of a kind,” while the two cards of the same rank are called the “pair.”
For example, a Full House could be 8♠️, 8♦️, 8♣️, Q♠️, Q♦️.
Flush
A Flush consists of any five cards of the same suit, but not in sequential order. The cards don’t have to be in any particular order, as long as they’re all of the same suit. For example, a Flush could be 2♣️, 5♣️, 7♣️, J♣️, A♣️.
Straight
A Straight consists of five consecutive cards of any suit. The cards must be in sequential order, but they can be of mixed suits. For example, a Straight could be 3♦️, 4♠️, 5♥️, 6♣️, 7♠️.
Three Of A Kind
Three Of A Kind contains three cards of the same rank and two other cards. The other two cards can be of any rank, as long as they don’t match the three of a kind. For example, three Queens and any other two cards, like Q♣️, Q♠️, Q♦️, 6♠️, 9♦️.
Two Pairs
Two Pairs contain two sets of two cards of the same rank and one other card. For example, two Kings, two 6s, and any other card, such as K♦️, K♠️, 6♣️, 6♦️, 10♠️.
One Pair
One Pair consists of two cards of the same rank and three other cards. The other three cards can be of any rank, as long as they don’t match the pair. For example, a pair of 9s and any three other cards, like 9♠️, 9♦️, 3♣️, J♠️, A♥️.
High Card
If no player has any of the above hands, the winner is determined by the highest poker card in their hand. If multiple players have the same highest card, the tie is broken by comparing the next highest card, and so on.
For example, if one player has a King as their highest card and another player has a Queen, the player with the King wins. If they both have the same highest card, the next highest card is compared until a winner is determined.
Want To Learn How To Play Poker?
Learning how to become a poker master takes time, discipline and knowing when to cut your losses, and is far more technical than simply knowing your poker cards – that’s why here at Shaftesbury Casino Dudley and West Bromwich we offer personalised poker lessons and tutorials for our new and existing customers. Our experienced croupiers and team members will show you the ropes and explain the poker rules – from table positioning, to poker cards, to memorising poker hands – so that you can step up to the table with confidence at your next poker game. Fill out the form below to get in touch and organise a poker lesson at one of our branches.
