A poker hand rankings chart is the single most practical reference tool for any poker player, from complete beginners to experienced home game hosts looking for a quick reference. This 2026 guide explains exactly how to read one, what every section means, what makes a chart good vs. incomplete, and where to get the best versions for every situation — from a quick print-at-home PDF to a wall poster for your game room.
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What Is a Poker Hand Rankings Chart?
A poker hand rankings chart is a reference document that lists all 10 Texas Hold'em hand types in order from strongest to weakest, typically with:
- Rank numbers (1 through 10)
- Hand names (Royal Flush, Straight Flush, etc.)
- A brief description of what qualifies as that hand
- A card example using suit symbols
- Optional: probability data, tie-breaking rules, or kicker notes
The chart serves as a quick reference at the table — you identify your hand, find it on the chart, and immediately know how strong it is relative to any other hand. Charts come in many formats: printable PDFs, laminated cards, wall posters, phone wallpapers, and more.
Download our free printable poker hands chart PDF — instant download, no email required, optimized for standard letter-size paper.
How to Read a Poker Hands Chart: Step by Step
Step 1: Make Your Best 5-Card Hand
In Texas Hold'em, you receive 2 hole cards and share 5 community cards. You can use any combination of these 7 cards to make your best 5-card hand. You can use both hole cards, one hole card, or none (playing the board) — whatever gives you the strongest 5-card combination.
Step 2: Identify Your Hand Type
Look at your 5 best cards and match them to one of the 10 hand patterns on the chart. Use this identification order — check from strongest to weakest and stop at the first match:
- All same suit AND consecutive ranks? → Royal Flush or Straight Flush
- All same suit? → Flush
- Consecutive ranks? → Straight
- Four matching ranks? → Four of a Kind
- Three matching + two matching? → Full House
- Three matching? → Three of a Kind
- Two pairs of matching ranks? → Two Pair
- One pair of matching ranks? → One Pair
- None of the above? → High Card
Step 3: Find Your Rank Number on the Chart
Every poker hands chart numbers the hands from 1 to 10. Find your hand type and note its number. Lower number = stronger hand. Royal Flush = 1 (best). High Card = 10 (weakest).
Step 4: Compare Rank Numbers with Your Opponent
Whoever has the lower rank number wins. If you have a Flush (#5) and your opponent has a Straight (#6), you win — 5 beats 6. If you both have the same hand type, move to Step 5.
Step 5: Apply Tie-Breaking Rules
When both players hold the same hand type, compare individual card ranks within the hand. Most quality charts include a tie-breaking column or notes. Key rules:
- Full House: Higher three-of-a-kind rank wins. If tied, higher pair rank wins.
- Flush or High Card: Compare highest card, then second highest, and so on.
- Straight: Higher top card wins. Broadway (A-K-Q-J-10) beats 9-high straight.
- Four of a Kind / Three of a Kind / One Pair: Higher rank of the matched cards wins. If tied, compare kickers from highest to lowest.
- Two Pair: Higher top pair wins. If tied, compare second pair. If still tied, compare the kicker.
Complete Poker Hand Rankings Chart (2026)
| Rank | Hand Name | What Qualifies | Example | 5-Card Probability | 7-Card (Hold'em) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Royal Flush | A-K-Q-J-10, same suit | A♠ K♠ Q♠ J♠ 10♠ | 0.000154%† | 0.0032% |
| 2 | Straight Flush | 5 consecutive, same suit | 9♣ 8♣ 7♣ 6♣ 5♣ | 0.00139%† | 0.0279% |
| 3 | Four of a Kind | 4 of same rank + kicker | K♠ K♥ K♦ K♣ 7 | 0.0240%† | 0.168% |
| 4 | Full House | 3 of same rank + pair | Q♠ Q♥ Q♦ 9♠ 9♥ | 0.1441%† | 2.60% |
| 5 | Flush | 5 same suit, not consecutive | A♥ J♥ 8♥ 5♥ 2♥ | 0.1965%† | 3.03% |
| 6 | Straight | 5 consecutive, mixed suits | 9♠ 8♥ 7♦ 6♣ 5♠ | 0.3925%† | 4.62% |
| 7 | Three of a Kind | 3 of same rank + 2 kickers | J♠ J♥ J♦ 8♣ 3♥ | 2.1128%† | 4.83% |
| 8 | Two Pair | 2 pairs of same rank + kicker | K♠ K♥ 9♦ 9♣ 4♥ | 4.7539%† | 23.5% |
| 9 | One Pair | 2 of same rank + 3 kickers | A♠ A♥ K♦ 7♣ 2♥ | 42.2569%† | 43.8% |
| 10 | High Card | No combination | A♠ K♥ 9♦ 6♣ 2♥ | 50.1177%† | 17.4% |
What Makes a Good Poker Hands Chart?
Not all poker hand charts are equal. A quality chart should include:
- All 10 hand types — anything missing a hand (some charts skip High Card) is incomplete and potentially misleading
- Clear rank numbers (1–10) — makes it instant to compare at showdown without re-reading descriptions
- Card examples with suit symbols — visual examples are faster to process than text descriptions alone
- Tie-breaking rules or kicker notes — essential for beginners who do not yet know that A-A-K beats A-A-Q
- Probability or frequency data — helps players understand why the rankings exist, not just memorize them
- Legible at arm's length — a chart that requires squinting is not useful at the table
Common Poker Chart Formats and When to Use Each
| Format | Best For | Size |
|---|---|---|
| Free PDF download | Beginners, home printing, casual games | Letter / A4 |
| Laminated reference card | Durability, in-pocket table reference | Playing card or index card size |
| Wall poster | Game rooms, permanent display, decor | 8x10 to 24x36 inches |
| Phone wallpaper | Always-available digital reference | Portrait format |
| Folded half-sheet | Discreet at-table reference during home games | 5.5 x 8.5 inches |
Is It Okay to Use a Poker Hands Chart During a Game?
In home games: absolutely yes. Most home game hosts actually provide a chart for every player — it speeds up the game and prevents arguments. There is no stigma and no rule against it.
In casino cash games: reference cards are generally allowed between hands but not during active decision-making at the table. If you need to check your hand ranking mid-hand, you would typically need to do so discreetly and quickly.
In tournaments: rules vary. Most tournaments do not allow physical reference materials during hands, but the casino staff or tournament director can answer questions about hand rankings between hands.
Poker Hand Rankings in Other Variants
The chart above applies to Texas Hold'em, Omaha, 7-Card Stud, and most standard poker games. Key differences in other variants:
- Short Deck (6+): Flush moves above Full House because with fewer cards, flushes become rarer than full houses
- Lowball / Razz: The entire chart reverses — rank #10 (High Card) wins, rank #1 (Royal Flush) loses
- Omaha Hi-Lo: Includes a low hand ranking system alongside standard rankings for split-pot play
Key Takeaways
- A poker hand rankings chart lists all 10 hands from Royal Flush (#1, best) to High Card (#10, worst)
- Lower rank number = stronger hand at showdown
- Read a chart in 5 steps: make your best 5-card hand → identify the type → find the rank number → compare with opponent → apply tie-breaking rules if same type
- A good chart includes all 10 hands, rank numbers, card examples, and tie-breaking rules
- Charts are completely acceptable at home game tables and useful for keeping games moving smoothly
- Rankings shift in Short Deck poker and reverse entirely in lowball games
- Related guides: poker hands in order | top 5 best poker hands
- Get the chart: free PDF download | premium wall charts (40+ styles)
Frequently Asked Questions
How do you read a poker hand rankings chart?
Find your 5-card hand type on the chart (numbered 1–10 from best to worst). The rank number tells you how strong your hand is — lower is better. If two players hold the same hand type, apply the tie-breaking rules shown on the chart to determine the winner by comparing individual card ranks.
What is the best hand on a poker chart?
Rank #1 — the Royal Flush. It consists of Ace, King, Queen, Jack, and Ten all of the same suit. It is unbeatable in all standard poker games.
What is the worst hand on a poker chart?
Rank #10 — High Card. No matching cards, no sequence, no flush. The player with the highest individual card wins. Ace-high beats King-high, and so on. High Card occurs in about 50% of all 5-card deals.
Can I use a poker hands chart during a game?
In home games, yes — completely accepted and often provided by the host. In casino cash games, reference materials are typically allowed between hands. In formal tournaments, check with the tournament director as rules vary.
Where can I download a free poker hands chart?
Download a free printable poker hands chart PDF at PokerHands.Shop/pages/free-poker-hands-chart — instant download, no email required, print-ready for standard letter-size paper.
Sources & References
- Chen, B. & Ankenman, J. (2006). The Mathematics of Poker. ConJelCo. — Primary source for hand combination counts and probability calculations.
- Sklansky, D. (1999). The Theory of Poker. Two Plus Two Publishing. — Foundational poker strategy theory.
- Wizard of Odds. Poker Hand Probabilities. wizardofodds.com — Independent verification of combinatorial probability figures.
- PokerHands.Shop Probability Index. Complete Poker Hand Probability Dataset. /pages/poker-hands-probability — Full combination counts and 5-card vs 7-card probability tables.