Classic ranking chart
| Strength | Hand | Example | How to recognise it |
|---|---|---|---|
| 01 | Trail / trio | A♠ A♥ A♦ | Three cards of one rank |
| 02 | Pure sequence | 9♥ 8♥ 7♥ | Consecutive ranks, one suit |
| 03 | Sequence / run | 9♠ 8♥ 7♣ | Consecutive ranks, mixed suits |
| 04 | Colour / flush | A♦ J♦ 7♦ | One suit, not consecutive |
| 05 | Pair | K♠ K♥ 4♦ | Two cards of one rank |
| 06 | High card | A♣ J♥ 8♦ | None of the above |
This is the ordinary six-category game without jokers. A lowest-hand-wins variant, a wild card or a special table rule changes the comparison.
Compare within a category
- Trail: compare the repeated rank; three Aces are above three Kings under ordinary high-card ordering.
- Sequence: compare the run under the table’s stated Ace convention. A-2-3 and A-K-Q need special attention.
- Colour and high card: compare the highest ranks first, then the next ranks if necessary.
- Pair: compare the paired rank first; if equal, compare the remaining card.
- Equal ranks: follow the table’s tie rule. Do not invent a suit advantage.
Worked comparisons
| Hand A | Hand B | Classic result |
|---|---|---|
| 7♠ 7♥ 7♦ | A♣ K♣ Q♣ | Trail is above pure sequence |
| 9♠ 8♥ 7♣ | A♦ J♦ 7♦ | Sequence is above colour |
| K♠ K♥ 4♦ | Q♣ Q♦ A♥ | Higher pair is above the lower pair |
| A♠ J♥ 8♦ | A♥ J♣ 7♠ | First two ranks tie; 8 is above 7 |
These examples establish category and rank comparisons. They do not predict winning chances against an unknown opponent.
The A-2-3 question
Different rule descriptions place A-2-3 differently relative to A-K-Q. Do not label either one universally highest across every app. Read the specific table’s rules before comparing these runs. Q-K-A is the same set of ranks as A-K-Q; K-A-2 is not an ordinary run.
The hand checker recognises both Ace runs but deliberately reports the category rather than deciding an app-specific winner.
How often do the categories occur?
The probability guide counts all 22,100 unordered three-card hands in a fair 52-card deck. It explains why a colour is more common than a sequence, while separating category frequency from a chance of winning.
Sources & scope
Sources checked 26 October 2026. General guidance is separate from app-specific verification; no APK in this project has been independently tested.