Winning Poker Hands

To really up your poker game, you've got to know your winning hands inside out. It's not just about knowing what they are, but also how the cards stack up, and when to play them in different situations on the felt. This guide's all about giving you the lowdown so you can boost your play here in New Zealand.

Poker Hands Ranked: What Beats What?

There are quite a few possible combinations you can make in a poker game, and knowing 'em is key to becoming a better player. Let's check out how the hands stack up, from the top dog down.

• Royal Flush - The ultimate hand! This is an Ace, King, Queen, Jack, and Ten, all of the same suit. It's the rarest beast in the deck, and if you hit it, you've pretty much won.
• Straight Flush - Five cards in sequence, all from the same suit. So, a 7, 8, 9, 10, Jack, all in hearts, for example. Still a beaut of a hand.
• Four of a Kind - Four cards of the same rank. Think four Kings. It's a strong contender for the pot.
• Full House - This is a bit of a mixed bag: three cards of one rank and two cards of another. For instance, three Queens and a pair of Fours. Sounds like a solid hand.
• Flush - Five cards all of the same suit, but not in sequence. If you and another player both have a flush, the one with the highest card wins. So, an Ace-high flush beats a King-high flush, easy peasy.
• Straight - Five cards in sequential order, but they can be from different suits. For example, a 5, 6, 7, 8, 9 of mixed suits. Still a decent hand to have.
• Three of a Kind - Just three cards of the same rank, like three Jacks. It's a step down from the bigger hands, but still playable.
• Two pair - Two pair is the next hand combination that players can get. It consists of two pairs of cards of the same rank.
• Pair - The pair is a very common card combination seen in poker, as it requires the player to get two cards of the same rank, like two jacks.
• High Card -If none of the above combinations is achieved by the players, the pot will be decided by a high card. So, the player with the highest card will win.

What are the Best Poker Hands to Play?

Once everything is clear about how poker hands are ranked, it is crucial for each bettor to set his playing style and build a strategy for which hands to play and which to avoid.

If the player has a strong hand, such as a Royal Flush or Straight Flush, it is best to play aggressively to increase the pot size. However, it is also important to be aware of the possibility of your opponents having stronger hands.

If the player has a weaker hand like a pair, it is recommended to slow down and see how opponents are going to act. Also, each player has to take into account the pot size and if it’s worth calling with a weaker hand, which is not very likely to win.

Another important factor to consider when playing the best poker hands is the position on the table. If the player is at the button or cutoff, he will have an advantage over the others who take action. Later positions usually allow poker players to play more aggressively with weaker hands.

Understanding Poker Draws

One of the key factors for being better at poker is for the player to learn the hand odds, called draws. For example, if the player has a pair of aces and the pot gives him another pair, like 3s on the flop, if he hits another ace on the river or the turn, he will end up with a full house.

Playing winning poker card hands successfully requires the player to understand the card ranking, have a good strategy, and play depending on opponents' actions.

Common Winning Hands Mistakes

Even with a strong hand, it is still possible to make a mistake that can cost the pot. Here are some common mistakes that players make with winning hands and how to avoid them:

• Overplaying a hand - This is the most common mistake made by poker players. If players have got a strong hand, they usually bet too much or call very high bets, which may end up losing.
• Not paying attention to community cards - It is commonly seen for poker lovers to underestimate how important community cards are. For example, if the player got Aces, which is the highest starting hand, but the community cards are 4 clubs and 1 diamond, it is likely that any player will have a club and make a flush.
• Being too predictable - If the player always bets or rises when he has a strong hand and checks or folds when he has a weak hand, his opponents will very soon realize his game plan. So, it’s very important to be more unpredictable and don’t create a pattern that can be easily caught.

In Summary

Each player has to know how the types of poker hands are ranked and how to play them properly. From the hierarchy of hands to the strategies for playing and bluffing with them, there are a variety of factors to think about.

Playing poker at online casinos is all about getting the best possible card combination, which is something each player should be informed about in this article. But, to become really good, each individual has to know how to play each hand, by setting his own rules and building a profitable strategy over it.