Poker 5 of a Kind: The Rare Hand That Beats Them All

Introduction

In traditional poker, hands like a royal flush or four of a kind are often considered the ultimate winning combinations. However, there’s a rare but unbeatable hand known as poker 5 of a kind. Though not commonly seen in standard games, this powerful hand dominates in specific formats—especially those that include wild cards. Let’s explore what this hand is, when it applies, and how it changes the dynamic of any poker game.

Poker Hands Ranked | Britannica

What Is Poker 5 of a Kind?

Poker 5 of a kind is a hand consisting of five cards of the same rank—something only possible in games that allow wild cards. Since a standard deck only contains four cards of each rank, a fifth card (like a joker or a designated wild) must be introduced for this hand to exist.

Example:
🂡 🃑 🃁 🂱 + 🃏 (wild) = Five Aces

In this case, the joker acts as a fifth Ace, forming five of a kind—a hand that outranks even a royal flush.

When Does 5 of a Kind Apply?

This hand typically shows up in the following game types:

Joker Poker
Deuces Wild
Home games with custom wild rules
Online poker variants with flexible hand rankings

In official tournament poker (like Texas Hold’em or Omaha), this hand doesn’t exist because wild cards aren’t used. However, it’s a staple in many casual or online formats.

How Does It Rank?

In games that allow it, poker 5 of a kind is the highest-ranking hand, even above:

Royal Flush
Straight Flush
Four of a Kind

Here’s how it would fit into a typical hand ranking system (wild card games only):

Five of a Kind
Royal Flush
Straight Flush
Four of a Kind
Full House
Flush
Straight
Three of a Kind
Two Pair
One Pair
High Card

As you can see, if you’re lucky enough to land this hand, chances are you’ve just won the round—unless your opponent also managed five of a kind with a higher rank (which is extremely rare).

Strategy: Playing Wild Card Games

If you’re playing in a format that allows poker 5 of a kind, here are a few strategic tips:

Know Your Wilds: Understand which cards are wild and how they impact your hand potential.
Watch Your Opponents: In wild card games, hand strength tends to be higher. Don’t overvalue a full house or even four of a kind.
Use Bluffs Sparingly: Wild card games encourage stronger hands, so your bluffs need to be well-timed and credible.
Maximize High-Value Wilds: Try to build hands using wilds with high original values to strengthen kickers in close calls.

Fun Fact: The Five Aces Myth

In poker folklore, five aces is often associated with cheating or rigged games. Historically, if someone pulled off this hand without wild cards, it was a clear sign of foul play. Today, in regulated online or home games with clear rules, five aces is simply a lucky (and legal) high-ranking hand.

Final Thoughts

Poker 5 of a kind is a legendary hand that’s rarely seen but undeniably powerful. While it doesn’t appear in most official games, it plays a key role in wild card variants, both online and offline. Understanding how this hand works gives you a strategic edge—and might just help you recognize a game-changing moment when you see five matching cards staring back at you.

If you’re playing a wild card format, always keep an eye out for the opportunity to land this unbeatable hand. Because in those games, five really is better than four.