Is a Straight Flush Better Than Four of a Kind?
Short answer
Yes. A straight flush beats four of a kind. Only a royal flush, which is itself the highest straight flush, ranks above it.
Straight flush (wins)
Four aces (loses)
Even the lowest straight flush beats four aces.
How rare are they?
In five-card poker there are 624 ways to make four of a kind but only 40 straight flushes, including the 4 royal flushes. That makes a straight flush more than 15 times rarer.
Is a royal flush a straight flush?
Yes. A royal flush is the ace-high straight flush, A-K-Q-J-10 of one suit. It gets its own name because it is the best hand in poker. A straight flush cannot be "better" than a royal flush.
Straight flush vs straight flush
The higher top card wins. 9-8-7-6-5 suited beats 8-7-6-5-4 suited. The lowest is 5-4-3-2-A.
FAQ
Does four of a kind beat a straight flush?
No. A straight flush beats four of a kind.
Does a straight flush beat a full house?
Yes. A straight flush beats a full house and four of a kind.
Is a straight flush better than a royal flush?
No. A royal flush is the highest possible straight flush.
Is a straight flush a real hand?
Yes. It is the second-best hand in poker: five cards in a row, all the same suit.