Question:    What are the basic hand rankings in Online Gambling?

Answer:    Following are the basic hand rankings used in the game of poker. These have been described in ascending order of their importance.

1. Five-of-a-kind- This is the highest possible hand in a game of poker where wild cards are used. When a tie occurs, the winning hand is decided by the highest ranking five cards. Five Aces make the highest ranking five of a kind hand.

2. Straight flush- It refers to a sequence of five cards in ascending order, all belonging to the same suit. For instance, 10,9,8,7,6 of heart make up the straight flush. The highest possible hand in poker is the royal flush, which comprises of A,K,Q,J,T of diamonds. The ace can also play low to make the lowest possible hand in straight flush, e.g., 5,4,3,2,A.

3. Four-of-a-Kind- (Quads)- Four of a kind means four cards of the same value like 4,4,4,4 in a single hand. In case two or more players have four of a kind, then the player with the highest ranking cards wins the pot.

4. Full House- (Boat)- A full house means three-of-a-kind and one pair. For instance, J,J,J,2,2 makes up a full house. If a tie occurs, it is decided by the highest three of a kind hand.

5. Flush- Flush refers to any five cards belonging to the same suit like 10,8,6,4,2 of spades. In order to decide a tie between hands, the rule of ‘high card’ is unanimously followed. All the suits are considered equal; they are not arranged hierarchically.  

6. Straight- Straight refers to a sequence of five cards in ascending order, belonging to different suits. For example, K,Q,J,T,9 is a straight hand. The ace can play as both the high and low hand, depending on how it is used to make the hands. Whereas A,K,Q,J,T is an example of the highest straight, 5,4,3,2,A is the lowest straight.

7. Three-of-a-Kind- Three of a kind means three cards of the same number and two others, which are not a pair, e.g., 3,3,3,9,2. The highest three of a kind wins and the ties are decided by the high card.

8. Two Pair- It refers to a hand of two pairs and a fifth card. For instance, 4,4,2,2,9 is a two pair hand. A,A,K,K,10 is an example of the highest two-pair hand. In case of a tie, the highest pair is declared the winner.

9. One Pair- One pair means a single pair of cards with other cards not connected to each other. For example, in a hand consisting of 5,5,7,4,J, (5,5) is one pair. Ties are decided by the high card.