What Beats 4 Aces in Poker: Understanding Higher Hands and Strategy
So you’ve managed to get four aces (known as “quads”) in a poker hand, and you’re feeling pretty invincible. After all, it’s such a powerhouse—how could you possibly lose? Well, if there’s one thing poker teaches us, it’s that surprises can happen. Indeed, there are two hands that outrank four aces: the royal flush and the straight flush. Let’s break down why that’s the case, how often these come up, and what it all means for your strategy at the table.
A Quick Review of Poker Hand Rankings
Here’s the standard hierarchy in most poker variants (from highest to lowest):
- Royal Flush: A-K-Q-J-10, all same suit.
- Straight Flush: Five consecutive cards of the same suit (e.g., 6♥7♥8♥9♥10♥).
- Four of a Kind: Quads, such as A♣A♦A♥A♠ + any other card.
- Full House: Three of a kind + a pair.
- Flush: Five cards of the same suit, not in sequence.
- Straight: Five consecutive cards, mixed suits.
- Three of a Kind: Three cards of the same rank.
- Two Pair: Two different pairs.
- One Pair: Two cards of the same rank.
- High Card: The highest card when no other hands are made.
From this list, we see that four of a kind (four aces included) ranks below both a royal flush and any straight flush.
The Two Hands That Surpass Quads
Royal Flush
- What It Is: A, K, Q, J, 10, all in the same suit (e.g., A♠ K♠ Q♠ J♠ 10♠).
- Rarity: Extremely rare—odds in standard Texas Hold’em are about 1 in 649,740 for any specific five-card hand.
- Power: Even if someone else has four aces, the royal flush takes the pot. No hand can beat it.
Straight Flush
- What It Is: Five consecutive cards all of the same suit (e.g., 5♠ 6♠ 7♠ 8♠ 9♠).
- Rarity: Odds are about 1 in 72,193—still very rare, but more common than a royal flush.
- Power: This outranks all hands except the royal flush.
Real-World Moments Illustrating This
- WSOP 2006: A player with four aces confidently went all-in—only to see the opponent flip a royal flush. That shock alone captured how poker can defy odds.
- WPT 2010: Another highlight was a final table showdown where quads lost to a straight flush, underscoring why being “sure you’re winning” can sometimes backfire.
Strategic Implications
Don’t Overcommit Without Care
Even if you hold quads, consider the board. If the community cards make a straight flush possible (like four or five connected suited cards out there), remain cautious if an opponent shows big aggression.
Bluff Potential
Knowing that your quads can lose (albeit rarely) might keep you from being overly certain—but on the flip side, you can sometimes “represent” a straight flush or royal flush on a scary board, even if you don’t have it.
Bankroll & Emotions
Getting “coolered” by a better hand than your quads is the stuff of poker nightmares. Keep your emotions in check. Rare but big losses can happen, and emotional tilt can break your focus for future hands.
Bottom Line
Yes, four aces is an amazing hand. Still, a royal flush (the absolute top of the hierarchy) or any straight flush outranks it. Those draws are very unlikely, but their existence is one reason poker remains thrilling—there’s almost always a chance something bigger is lurking in the deck.
Staying mindful of the board (especially if it suggests a potential straight flush) can help you avoid going bust in those once-in-a-blue-moon scenarios. Meanwhile, keep your game sharp by remembering that, in poker, “best possible hand” is not always what it seems. Good luck out there—and may your quads hold up!
