What is a Royal Flush? | Royal Flush Odds and Matchups Guide

A royal flush is the best possible hand in Texas Hold’em, made up of the 10, Jack, Queen, King, and Ace of the same suit, with odds of 1 in 649,740. Learn what a royal flush is, how rare it is, the odds of hitting it, the difference between a royal flush and a straight flush, and how it matches up against other strong hands such as a full house.

What is a Royal Flush?

The Best Hand in Texas Hold’em: 10, Jack, Queen, King, and Ace of the Same Suit

The royal flush is the best hand in Texas Hold’em. It’s made up of the 10, Jack, Queen, King, and Ace, all in the same suit. With only four possible combinations, it is one of the rarest hands you’ll ever see.

Although it falls under the category of straight flushes, the royal flush is ranked above everything else. No matter the suit, if you make this hand, nothing can beat it. At showdown, it guarantees a win.

This isn’t a hand you play for on purpose. The chances are so low that most players will never see it. When it does happen, it becomes the highlight of any session.

Royal Flush Odds

1 in 649,740 On the Flop | 1 in 30,940 By the River

In Texas Hold’em, the odds of flopping a royal flush are 1 in 649,740, and your chance of having one by the river in your seven-card hand is about 1 in 30,940.

Royal Flush Overall Odds

Holding one suited Broadway card gives you about a 1 in 46,060 chance of a royal flush by the river. With two suited Broadway cards, it jumps to 1 in 1,959. From any two random hole cards, it is 1 in 30,940.

Royal Flush Flop Odds

You cannot flop a royal flush with only one suited Broadway card, since the flop only contains three cards. With two suited Broadway cards, the only winning flop is the three missing royal cards—1 in 19,600. From any two random hole cards, it is 1 in 649,740.

Royal Flush Turn Odds

Even with just one suited Broadway card, flopping four to a royal then hitting it on the turn happens about 1 in 230,300. With two suited Broadway cards, the turn completion rate is 1 in 47. From any two hole cards, the combined flop-and-turn chance is roughly 1 in 217,000.

Royal Flush River Odds

If you have four to a royal on the turn, the river gives you a 1 in 46,060 shot with one suited Broadway card. With two suited Broadway cards, it is 1 in 46. From any two random hole cards, it is ≈ 1 in 376,000.

Royal Flush Matchups

Matchup		Winner
Royal Flush	Straight Flush	Royal Flush
Royal Flush	4 of a Kind	Royal Flush
Royal Flush	Full House	Royal Flush
Royal Flush	Flush	Royal Flush
Royal Flush	Straight	Royal Flush
Royal Flush	Three of a Kind	Royal Flush
Royal Flush	Two Pair	Royal Flush
Royal Flush	One Pair	Royal Flush
Royal Flush	High Card	Royal Flush

Royal Flush Vs Straight Flush Difference

A royal flush always beats a straight flush. While both are straight flushes by definition, the royal flush specifically includes the highest possible sequence: 10 through Ace. If two players each make a straight flush, the one with the higher top card wins, and nothing tops the Ace.

Does a Royal Flush Beat Four of a Kind?

Absolutely. Four of a kind, also known as “quads,” is an elite hand in Hold’em, but it still loses to any straight flush. The royal flush is not only a straight flush, it’s the top-ranked version, making it a clear winner in this matchup.

Does a Royal Flush Beat a Full House?

Yes. A full house combines a three of a kind with a pair, which makes it powerful, but not unbeatable. A royal flush is in an entirely different tier of poker hands, ranking several levels higher than a full house. Royal flush wins this matchup every time.

Does a Royal Flush Beat a Flush?

Yes, by a wide margin. A standard flush is made of any five cards of the same suit, not in sequence. Since a royal flush is both a flush and a straight, and the highest possible version of both, it wins easily against a regular flush.

Does a Royal Flush Beat a Straight?

No contest. A straight requires five consecutive cards of any suits, while the royal flush adds the requirement of matching suits and includes the top five cards in the deck. Royal flush beats all straights with ease.

Does a Royal Flush Beat Three of a Kind?

Yes, without exception. While three of a kind (or trips) is a solid hand that often wins in smaller pots, it is no match for the unbeatable royal flush. No three of a kind combination can compete with a straight flush, let alone the royal version.

Does a Royal Flush Beat Two Pair?

Yes. Two pair is a fairly common and relatively weak winning hand, especially at lower stakes. It doesn’t stand a chance against a royal flush, which is mathematically and structurally superior in every way.

Does a Royal Flush Beat One Pair?

Absolutely. One pair is often the lowest-ranked hand to win a pot, but it’s far below a royal flush. This is one of the most lopsided matchups possible in Hold’em, and royal flush wins 100% of the time.

Does a Royal Flush Beat High Card?

Yes, every time. A high card hand is what players are left with when they can’t make a pair or better. It’s the weakest possible showdown result, while a royal flush is the strongest. There is no scenario where high card wins this matchup.

How to Play a Royal Flush

Slow Play or Value Bet? How to Maximize a Royal Flush

Value betting is usually best, but slow playing works in the right spots.

Hitting a royal flush in Texas Hold’em is as good as it gets. The hand can’t be beaten, so your focus shifts from winning to getting the most value. Since there’s no risk of being outdrawn, you have the luxury of playing it however you want, whether that means slow-playing or building the pot right away.

Most royal flushes are made on the turn or river. The way you play it depends on the board texture and the type of opponent you’re up against. On dry or disconnected boards, slow-playing can work well. It might get your opponent to bluff or value bet too thin. But on a wet board with lots of possible draws, it’s usually better to bet and charge them before the action dries up.

If you’re facing a loose or recreational player, go for bigger value bets. They’ll often call with weaker hands. Against stronger or more cautious opponents, you might need to mix in a few traps or blockers to stay balanced. Just be careful not to scare them off with huge bets too early.

A royal flush doesn’t come around often, so make sure it pays you off when it does.

Royal Flush Overview | Is Royal Flush a Good Hand?

A Royal Flush is the Best Hand in Poker

There is no debate here: the royal flush is the best hand in poker. It outranks every other made hand and occurs so rarely that many players never hit one in their lifetime. If you make a royal flush, you’re guaranteed to win at showdown.

But its strength doesn’t just lie in its rank. Because it’s so statistically unlikely, players rarely suspect it. That opens the door for creative lines, disguised traps, and full value extraction. In short, it’s not just unbeatable, it’s undetectable when played well.

So yes, the royal flush isn’t just a “good hand.” It’s a once in a lifetime hand, the highlight of poker stories, and the kind of hand that gets screenshots and headlines. When it happens, make sure you enjoy it, and get paid.