What Beats A Flush In Poker: Understanding Hand Rankings
If you’ve played poker for any amount of time, you know that not all winning hands are created equal. Sure, a flush—five cards of the same suit—is pretty impressive. (I remember thinking I was unbeatable the first time I made a flush, only to have my hopes crushed in dramatic fashion.) But what beats a flush in poker? It turns out there are a few hands that top it.
Let’s Do a Quick Review of Hand Rankings
In case you need a refresher, here’s the standard hierarchy of poker hands, from strongest to weakest:
- Royal Flush: A, K, Q, J, 10 all in the same suit. The ultimate dream hand.
- Straight Flush: Any five consecutive cards in the same suit. (A royal flush is basically the best possible straight flush.)
- Four of a Kind: Four cards of the same rank.
- Full House: Three cards of one rank plus two cards of another.
- Flush: Five cards of the same suit, not necessarily in order.
- Straight: Five cards in consecutive order, but not the same suit.
- 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: No combination, just your highest card leading the way.
What Specifically Tops a Flush?
We’re focusing on that question: what beats a flush in poker? Basically, anything above it on the list. That includes:
- A Full House: If you’ve got three of a kind plus a pair, you’re sitting pretty. A flush can’t touch a full house, so if you’ve got, say, three Kings and two 8s, you’re in great shape against someone who “just” has a flush.
- Four of a Kind: Four identical ranks? That’s even scarier than a full house. If you’re holding four Aces, don’t sweat any flush your opponents might have—your quads take it down.
- Straight Flush: This is a super-charged version of a flush—five cards in both sequence and suit. Imagine having 5-6-7-8-9 all in hearts. That crushes an ordinary flush any day of the week.
- Royal Flush: The king of all poker hands. A royal flush is basically the highest straight flush possible: A-K-Q-J-10 of the same suit. Nothing beats this hand. Period.
Odds and Rarity
Understanding what beats a flush is one thing; knowing how likely these hands are to occur helps you gauge how worried you should be. For example, the odds of dealing yourself a flush are pretty slim (about 1 in 508), but the hands that outrank it are even harder to come by. A royal flush is rarer than a celebrity sighting at your local coffee shop. So while it’s important to know that a flush can be beaten, remember that getting those stronger hands isn’t exactly an everyday event.
Real-Life Examples to Drive It Home
Let’s say you proudly hold a flush: the 2, 5, 7, 10, and King of clubs. That’s nice, sure. But if your opponent gently flips over three Queens and two Jacks (a full house), guess what? Your flush goes down in flames. Or if someone reveals a straight flush—even if it’s something seemingly harmless like 4-5-6-7-8 of diamonds—you might want to choke back a tear and push your chips their way.
What Should You Do in the Heat of the Moment?
If you’re holding a flush and the action suddenly gets intense—heavy betting, suspicious raises—ask yourself: could they have something better? If there’s a pair on the board (like two Kings and two 9s on the table), a full house might be lurking. If the community cards are all connected in the same suit, watch out for a potential straight flush. Don’t be afraid to fold if your instincts (and logic) tell you that you’re behind.
Bluffing and Other Strategies
Knowing what beats a flush can also improve your bluffing game. If you sense your opponent might have a flush and you’re representing a full house or a straight flush (and you’re good at selling the story), you might push them off their hand. Poker is not just about the cards you hold—it’s about the story you tell at the table. Use your knowledge of the hierarchy to keep your opponents guessing.
The Big Takeaway
A flush is a strong hand, but by no means the strongest. Understanding what beats a flush in poker—royal flushes, straight flushes, four of a kind, and full houses—helps you navigate tense situations and avoid costly mistakes. Keep these rankings and odds in mind next time you’re staring down your opponent. After all, knowledge is power, and in a game like poker, the smartest player often ends up with the biggest stack.
