Six categories, strongest first
| Order | Category | Example | Recognition |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Trail / trio | Q♠ Q♥ Q♦ | Three equal ranks |
| 2 | Pure sequence | 7♥ 8♥ 9♥ | Consecutive, one suit |
| 3 | Sequence | 7♠ 8♥ 9♦ | Consecutive, mixed suits |
| 4 | Colour / flush | 2♣ 7♣ K♣ | One suit, not consecutive |
| 5 | Pair | 9♠ 9♦ J♣ | Two equal ranks |
| 6 | High card | 3♥ 8♣ K♦ | None of the above |
These categories describe a basic game without wild cards. A pure sequence is classified above colour, even though all its cards also share a suit.
Try the category practice
Six fixed example hands rotate through the categories. This exercise names the category only; it does not simulate a game, random deal, betting or winning odds.
What is this hand?
0 hands answered in this session.
Compare equal categories carefully
A pair of tens ranks above a pair of nines, even if the nines have a higher odd card. For two colours, compare the highest card, then the next, then the last. Do not introduce a suit hierarchy unless the table explicitly uses one.
Example: A♣ J♣ 7♣ and A♥ J♥ 6♥ are both colours. The aces tie, the jacks tie, and the seven beats the six. Neither hand wins merely because it contains clubs or hearts.
A–2–3 or A–K–Q?
This practice tool avoids ace-sequence disputes by using middle-rank runs. Do not assume a chart for one variant resolves a dispute in another. A set of rules is useful only when everyone knows which convention applies.
References and limitations
Source-based information and original teaching examples. No app-specific file test or professional legal review is claimed.