Draw Poker

Chapter III.  The Order of Hands.

The order or rank of the hands played in Draw Poker is as follows, beginning with the lowest: 

One Pair. -- (Accompanied by three cards of different denominations.)  The highest pair out wins.  If two players hold like pairs the highest remaining card wins. 

Two Pairs. -- (Accompanied by one card of another denomination.)  If each of the players holds two pairs, the highest pair wins.  Example:  Aces and deuces beat kings and queens.  If two hands of like two pairs meet, the higher remaining card wins.

Triplets. -- (Three cards of the same denomination unaccompanied by a pair.)  The highest triplets win, and triplets always beat two pairs.  Triplets are sometimes known as Three of a Kind.

Straight. -- (A sequence of five cards not all of the same suit.)  An ace may either begin or end a straight, but an ace can never be played intermediately in a straight.  Example:  Ace, King, Queen, Knave, Ten is the highest straight.  Five, Four, Three, Two, Ace is the lowest straight.  But King, Queen, Ace, Two, Three is not a straight.  If two or more straights come together the straight headed by the highest card wins.  A straight beats triplets. 

Flush. -- (Five cards of the same suit not in sequence.)  If two or more flushes come together the flush containing the highest card wins.  If the highest cards tie, the next highest card determines the winning hand, and so on.  A flush beats a straight.

Full Hand. -- (Triplets accompanied by a pair.)  If two or more full hands come together, the one containing the highest triplets wins.  A full hand beats a flush.

Fours. -- (Four cards of the same denomination accompanied by another card.)  Fours beat a full hand, and the highest fours win.

Straight Flush. -- (A sequence of five cards all of the same suit.)  When two or more straight flushes come together, the one containing the highest card wins.  The straight flush beats fours.

If upon a show of hands two or more players interested in the call hold identical hands, and these hands are the best out, the players holding such identical hands must divide the pool, share and share alike.

John W. Keller - 1889