Which flush is better?

Answered by Willie Powers

When it comes to determining which flush is better in a game of poker, it’s important to remember that the ranking is based on the highest straight card, not the suit. This means that if multiple players have a flush, the winner is determined by the player with the highest straight.

Let’s break it down further with an example. Imagine two players, Player A and Player B, both have a flush. Player A has a King-high flush, while Player B has a Queen-high flush. In this case, Player A would have the better flush because the King is a higher straight card than the Queen.

Now, let’s say Player A has a King-high flush, but Player B also has a King-high flush. In this scenario, the winner would be determined by the next highest card in each player’s hand. If both players have the same highest card, then it would move on to the next highest card, and so on, until a winner is determined. If all the cards in their hands are the same, then it would be a tie.

It’s worth noting that the suit of the flush does not matter in determining the winner. Whether it’s a flush in hearts, diamonds, clubs, or spades, the ranking is determined solely by the highest straight card.

To better understand the concept, let’s consider a real-life situation. Imagine you’re playing a friendly game of poker with your friends. You are dealt two cards of the same suit, let’s say the King and the Jack of hearts. As the game progresses, the community cards are revealed, and you end up having a flush with the King, Jack, 9, 7, and 4 of hearts.

One of your friends also has a flush, but their highest straight card is the Queen of hearts. In this case, you would have the better flush because the King is a higher straight card than the Queen.

In another scenario, let’s say you and another friend both have a flush with the same highest straight card, the King of hearts. In this case, the winner would be determined by the next highest card in each player’s hand. If, for example, your next highest card is a 10 of hearts, and your friend’s next highest card is a 9 of hearts, then you would have the better flush.

To summarize, the ranking of a flush in poker is determined by the highest straight card. If multiple players have a flush, the player with the highest straight wins. The suit of the flush does not affect the ranking. So, when comparing two flushes, always look at the highest straight card first, and then move on to the next highest cards if needed.