When you start playing poker, one of the most important things to do is learn the terminology. Their are many terms associated with poker, plenty of slang to learn and important terms that will determine your ability to play a successful poker room game. However, some of the most important terms to learn are the five card poker hand terms.

Straight Flush

A straight flush is based on the numbers of the cards. The cards must be ranked in order, all five cards. While this kind of hand has a good probability, each number has four possiblities, a Royal Straight Flush is the most powerful. A Royal Straight Flush is a straight where the ace is the highest card and all subsequent cards are high ranking, like 10s, Jacks, Queens and Kings. If two players have a straight flush, the player with the higher cards will end up winning the hand. So if you choose to go for a flush with your hand, make sure that the numbers are high enough to give you a good chance at winning the pot.

Four of A Kind

Another powerful hand is four of a kind. Four of a kind can either be determined by numbers or by suits. Four of a kind isn’t as powerful as a five card straight, but it can still yield successful results and is a strong set of cards to aim for.

Full House

Next to four of a kind, the full house is a very strong hand to have. The full house is a combination fo three of a kind and a pair. The three of a kind must be three of the same number but not of the same suit. The pair must be the same number but not the same suit.

Flush

A flush has any five of the thirteen ranks all of which belong to one of the four suits.

Straight

A straight is any of ten possible squences of five consecuitve cards from Ace to 5 or Ace, King, Queen, Jack and 10. These five cards can be any suit

Three of a Kind and Two of a Pair

Three of a kind is exactly what it sounds like. It can contain any three numbers or suits. Similarily, two of a pair is the same it can be any two numbers or any two suits.

Once you know these basic types of poker hand rules, it will be easy for you to start playing poker and planning successful poker strategies. Remember that sometimes you might be shooting for one poker hand and will need to change your hand strategy throughout the game. This is an important part of playing poker and something that you should always keep in mind during every round.

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