Hand Strength Atlas
Read the hand rankings and learn to distinguish made hands, draws, and the cards that can change a result.
Three useful connections.
Backdoor Draw
A draw requiring two favorable future cards to complete. A backdoor flush draw on the flop needs the matching suit on both turn and river.
Read the definition ↗INTERMEDIATEBoat
Slang for a full house. The formal rank is three of one rank plus two of another.
Read the definition ↗BEGINNERBottom Pair
A pair made with the lowest-ranked card on a three-rank flop. It may improve or serve as a bluff catcher, depending on action.
Read the definition ↗Explore all 34 terms.
Every entry has a full definition, practical example, and connections to related concepts.
Backdoor Draw
A draw requiring two favorable future cards to complete.
Open definition ↗Hand Strength AtlasintermediateBoat
Slang for a full house.
Open definition ↗Hand Strength AtlasbeginnerBottom Pair
A pair made with the lowest-ranked card on a three-rank flop.
Open definition ↗Hand Strength AtlasintermediateBroadway
A ten-to-ace straight or the high cards ten through ace as a group.
Open definition ↗Hand Strength AtlasintermediateCombo Draw
A hand with multiple simultaneous ways to improve, often straight and flush draws.
Open definition ↗Hand Strength AtlasintermediateCounterfeit
A board card that weakens the relative value of a player's existing hand.
Open definition ↗Hand Strength AtlasintermediateDirty Out
A card that appears to improve your hand but may still leave you behind.
Open definition ↗Hand Strength AtlasbeginnerDraw
A hand that is not yet made to its hoped-for rank but can improve on future cards.
Open definition ↗Hand Strength AtlasbeginnerFlush
Five cards of the same suit that are not consecutive as a straight flush.
Open definition ↗Hand Strength AtlasbeginnerFlush Draw
A hand one card short of a flush with cards still to come.
Open definition ↗Hand Strength AtlasbeginnerFour of a Kind
Four cards of the same rank plus a kicker.
Open definition ↗Hand Strength AtlasbeginnerFull House
Three cards of one rank and two of another.
Open definition ↗Hand Strength AtlasbeginnerGutshot
An inside straight draw needing one specific rank to fill a five-card sequence.
Open definition ↗Hand Strength AtlasbeginnerHigh Card
A five-card hand with no pair, straight, flush, or stronger rank.
Open definition ↗Hand Strength AtlasintermediateMade Hand
A hand with a current rank that does not require improvement to have showdown value.
Open definition ↗Hand Strength AtlasbeginnerMiddle Pair
A pair made with the middle-ranked card on a three-rank flop.
Open definition ↗Hand Strength AtlasintermediateNut Flush Draw
A flush draw that would make the highest possible flush if completed.
Open definition ↗Hand Strength AtlasbeginnerOne Pair
A five-card hand containing two cards of the same rank.
Open definition ↗Hand Strength AtlasbeginnerOpen-Ended Straight Draw
A four-card sequence that can be completed on either end.
Open definition ↗Hand Strength AtlasbeginnerOvercards
Hole cards higher than the current board's highest card or higher than an opponent's pair, depending on context.
Open definition ↗Hand Strength AtlasbeginnerOverpair
A pocket pair higher than every card currently on the board.
Open definition ↗Hand Strength AtlasbeginnerRoyal Flush
The ace-high straight flush: ten through ace in one suit.
Open definition ↗Hand Strength AtlasintermediateRunner-Runner
A hand that improves through both the turn and river cards.
Open definition ↗Hand Strength AtlasintermediateSecond Pair
A pair below the highest board rank, often synonymous with middle pair on the flop.
Open definition ↗Hand Strength AtlasbeginnerSet
Three of a kind made with a pocket pair and one matching board card.
Open definition ↗Hand Strength AtlasbeginnerStraight
Five cards in consecutive ranks, regardless of suit.
Open definition ↗Hand Strength AtlasbeginnerStraight Flush
Five consecutive cards of the same suit.
Open definition ↗Hand Strength AtlasbeginnerThree of a Kind
A hand containing three cards of one rank.
Open definition ↗Hand Strength AtlasbeginnerTop Pair
A pair made with the highest-ranking card on the board.
Open definition ↗Hand Strength AtlasintermediateTop Set
A set made with a pocket pair matching the highest board rank.
Open definition ↗Hand Strength AtlasbeginnerTrips
Three of a kind made with one hole card and a paired board in common Hold'em usage.
Open definition ↗Hand Strength AtlasbeginnerTwo Pair
A hand with two distinct pairs plus a fifth card.
Open definition ↗Hand Strength AtlasbeginnerUnderpair
A pocket pair lower than at least one board card and not matching it.
Open definition ↗Hand Strength AtlasbeginnerWheel
An ace-to-five straight.
Open definition ↗Take the concept further.
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