Royal Flush

Example

When one happens savor the moment and hope the pot is big. Even being beaten by a Royal doesn't feel that bad, it's like losing a girl to Brad Pitt, you can always tell everyone about it, and not feel like a chump.

Straight Flush

A great and nearly unbeatable hand. I wouldn't write home about landing a straight flush, but do be prepared to have more chips in front of you at the end of the hand.

Four of a Kind

Ah, the look of shock on an opponents face when you turn over a pair of pocket fours to compliment the two already on the board. It's almost worth under betting to keep everyone in 'til the final round of betting and then all in 'em. Either way YOU win.

Full House

A solid hand. Happens much more often than the three monster hands above. Full's should be played aggressively. If you happen to lose with a full, and it does happen, buck up it won't happen often.

Flush

A great hand. Watch out for someone holding the pocket Ace!! Many a hand lost with the King of clubs in the pocket to someone else's Ace.

Straight

A good hand. Beware of strangers bearing gifts and other players with a flush or higher straight.

Three of a Kind

My personal favorite hand. It's versatile and wins quite often. It is a great thing to be holding a pair of 8's with a 8 and an Ace on the board.

Two Pair

Sometimes a winner, sometimes a loser. That is basically all there is to say about the "two pair". It's like a restaurant that's good some nights and bad on others, but never ever great.

Pair

A pair of 7's occasionally takes the pot. More often someone else's betting will dictate how you play pairs. If no one bets or bets only minimums you might be able to steal the pot. Anyone gets aggressive just fold and move on, no reason to get yourself bloodied over a pair of 7's.

High card

Hands can be one with just the high card!!! Just don't count on it.