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All forms of Poker recognize the same range and relative ranking of card combinations which determine who has the best or worst hand. A Poker hand by definition consists of five cards (more may be dealt, but ultimately only five count).

If some of these are related by rank or suit in certain prescribed ways, they form a Poker combination. This may, but need not, involve all five cards. Any that do not form part of the combination are idle or dead, though they may be called into account to decide between competing combinations of otherwise equal value. The rank of individual cards from highest to lowest is always AKQJT98765432, with Ace alternatively lowest on certain occasions. From highest to lowest, orthodox Poker combinations are as follows. The figures following each are, first, the number of such combinations possible in a 52-card pack with none wild, and second the probability (expressed as a percentage, i.e., number of times out of 100) of being dealt such a combination straight from the pack.

Straight Flush (40 = 0.0015 per cent) Five cards in suit and sequence. Ace may count high, as in A-K-Q-J-T {royal flush), or low, as in 5-4-3-2-A. As between two straight flushes, the one with the higher-ranking top card wins. A tie is possible.

Four of a Kind (624 = 0-0240 per cent) Four cards of the same rank, the fifth idle. One with a higher-ranking set of four beats one with a lower, and ties are impossible.

Full House (3744 ==0-144 per cent) Three cards of one rank plus two of another. One with the higher-ranking set of three beats one with a lower. Ties are impossible.