How do I analyze a poker hand?

Open PokerSnap on your phone or desktop and snap a photo of your hole cards. The AI identifies each card using Gemini vision, then runs 50,000 Monte Carlo simulations to calculate your win probability, pot odds, and position-aware GTO strategy advice — all in seconds.

What are the best starting hands in Texas Hold'em?

The best starting hands in Texas Hold'em are pocket Aces (AA), pocket Kings (KK), pocket Queens (QQ), and Ace-King suited (AKs). These premium hands should be raised or 3-bet from any position. PokerSnap scans your hole cards and tells you exactly whether to raise, call, or fold based on your seat at the table.

What is pot odds in poker?

Pot odds are the ratio of the current pot size to the cost of a call. For example, if the pot is $100 and you must call $20, your pot odds are 5:1 (or 20%). If your chance of winning is greater than 20%, calling is profitable. PokerSnap calculates pot odds automatically alongside your hand equity.

How does position affect poker strategy?

Position is one of the most important factors in poker. Late positions like the Button (BTN) and Cutoff (CO) are the most profitable because you act last and see what opponents do before deciding. GTO strategy opens about 50% of hands from the Button but only 15% from Under the Gun. PokerSnap provides position-aware advice for every hand.

What is the difference between a flush and a straight in poker?

A flush is five cards of the same suit (e.g., A♣ J♣ 9♣ 6♣ 2♣) regardless of order. A straight is five cards in sequential rank (e.g., 9♠ 8♥ 7♦ 6♣ 5♠) regardless of suit. A flush beats a straight in standard poker hand rankings. A straight flush — five suited cards in sequence — beats both.

Blog/Poker Hand Rankings

pokerbeginnerguide

Poker Hand Rankings: What Beats What in Texas Hold'em

March 15, 2026 · 5 min read

You can't make a good decision at the poker table if you're not sure what you're holding. Knowing hand rankings cold — without thinking — is the foundation every other poker skill is built on. Miss a beat on this and it costs you chips.

Here are all 10 hands, ranked highest to lowest.

Royal Flush

0.0002% of five-card hands

A♠ K♠ Q♠ J♠ 10♠

The best possible hand. Five cards of the same suit, ace-high, in sequence. Rare enough that most players go their whole lives without seeing one at the table.

Straight Flush

0.0014%

8♥ 7♥ 6♥ 5♥ 4♥

Five suited cards in sequence. If two players have a straight flush, the one with the highest top card wins. Still an extremely strong hand.

Four of a Kind

0.024%

Q♠ Q♥ Q♦ Q♣ 9♠

Four cards of the same rank. Also called "quads." Rare and nearly unbeatable when it shows up.

Full House

0.14%

J♠ J♥ J♦ 8♣ 8♥

Three cards of one rank plus two of another. When two players both have a full house, the higher three-of-a-kind wins. You'll hear this called "jacks full of eights."

Flush

0.2%

A♣ J♣ 9♣ 6♣ 2♣

Five cards of the same suit, not in sequence. If two players both have flushes, compare from the highest card down.

Straight

0.39%

9♠ 8♥ 7♦ 6♣ 5♠

Five cards in sequence, any suits. The ace can be high (A-K-Q-J-10) or low (A-2-3-4-5). It cannot wrap around.

Three of a Kind

2.11%

7♠ 7♥ 7♦ K♣ 4♠

Three cards of the same rank. Called "trips" when made with two community cards, or "a set" when made with a pocket pair. Sets are more disguised and generally more valuable.

Two Pair

4.75%

10♠ 10♦ 5♥ 5♣ A♠

Two separate pairs. The highest pair wins. If those are equal, the second pair decides. If still tied, the kicker breaks it.

One Pair

42.3%

K♠ K♥ Q♦ 8♣ 3♠

Two cards of the same rank. The most common winning hand in casual poker. Strong pairs win a lot of pots. Weak pairs in bad positions bleed you.

High Card

50.1%

A♠ J♥ 9♦ 6♣ 2♠

No matching cards, no sequence, no shared suit. You're playing your best card. Often whoever holds the highest kicker wins.

Quick reference: what beats what

Rank	Hand	Beats
1	Royal Flush	Everything
2	Straight Flush	#3 and below
3	Four of a Kind	#4 and below
4	Full House	#5 and below
5	Flush	#6 and below
6	Straight	#7 and below
7	Three of a Kind	#8 and below
8	Two Pair	#9 and below
9	One Pair	#10 and below
10	High Card	Nothing

Memorising this chart takes about five minutes. After that, knowing your hand strength is automatic.

The harder question is whether your hand is worth playing — and that depends on your odds, your position, and what the board looks like.

Know your hand. Know your odds.

Want to know if your hand is worth playing? PokerSnap calculates your odds in real time.

Try the Poker Odds Calculator →