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      Learn how to play poker

      Whether you are new to the game of poker, or just need a refresher, PokerStars has what you need to learn how to play.

      • Learn what beats what: We’ve got a handy guide to the hierarchy of poker hands, so you’ll always know when you’re holding the nuts!
      • We’ve got links to help you learn different types of poker game, including Omaha and Stud.

      Texas Hold’em - Hand Ranking

      Before you hit the online poker tables, you’ll need to familiarise yourself with the basic hand rankings and rules that govern Texas Hold’em. Here are the 10 hands every player should know before joining the action.

      Cards | Royal Flush

      Royal Flush

      Poker’s most famous hand, a royal flush, cannot be beaten. It consists of the ace, king, queen, jack and ten of a single suit.

      Cards | Straight Flush

      Straight Flush

      Five cards in sequence, of the same suit. In the event of a tie, the highest rank at the top of the sequence wins.

      Cards | Four of a Kind

      Four of a Kind

      Four cards of the same rank, and one side card or ‘kicker’. In the event of a tie, the player with the highest side card (‘kicker’) wins.

      Cards | Full House

      Full House

      Three cards of the same rank, and two cards of a different, matching rank. In the event of a tie, the highest three matching cards wins.

      Cards | Flush

      Flush

      Five cards of the same suit, not in sequence. In the event of a tie, the player holding the highest ranked card wins.

      Cards | Straight

      Straight

      Five non-suited cards in sequence. In the event of a tie, the highest ranking card at the top of the sequence wins.

      Cards | Three of a Kind

      Three of a Kind

      Three cards of the same rank, and two unrelated side cards. In the event of a tie, the player with the highest, and if necessary, second-highest side card (‘kicker’) wins.

      Cards | Two Pair

      Two Pair

      Two cards of matching rank, two cards of different matching rank, and one kicker. If both players have an identical Two Pair, the highest kicker wins.

      Cards | Pair

      Pair

      Two cards of matching rank, and three unrelated side cards. In the event of a tie, the player with the highest, and if necessary, second or third-highest side card wins.

      Cards | High Card

      High Card

      Any hand that does not qualify under the categories listed. In the event of a tie, the highest card wins, such as ‘ace-high’.

      Develop your Skills with PokerStars

      PokerStars has everything you need to become poker’s next big-name pro.

      Try Different Games

      Try Different Games

      Think you’ve mastered No-Limit Hold’em? Fine tune your skills in a variety of poker formats such as Omaha, Stud, Badugi, Mixed Games and more in tourneys, Sit & Go’s and Ring Games starting now. Learn every format to become the ultimate poker player.