THE RULE IN BRIEF

Compare category first, then the relevant ranks. Each exercise states its Ace profile and explains the result using the same hand model.

Choose Hand A, Hand B or Tie for each standard natural-card comparison. The stated Ace profile forms part of the question. Each example includes a complete worked explanation and uses the same card engine as the Hand Lab.

0 of 12 reviewed · 0 rule matches

CHECK 01 / 12

Category before Ace

akq-high

HAND A

3♠ 3♥ 9♦

HAND B

A♣ J♥ 6♣

Choose a hand to read the comparison.

Read the worked explanation
The pair of threes is a higher category than Ace-high. Compare the category before the attractive individual card.
CHECK 02 / 12

Pair rank before kicker

akq-high

HAND A

Q♠ Q♥ 3♦

HAND B

J♣ J♦ A♥

Choose a hand to read the comparison.

Read the worked explanation
The Queen pair ranks above the Jack pair. The unmatched Ace becomes relevant after the pair ranks match.
CHECK 03 / 12

Matched pairs

akq-high

HAND A

8♠ 8♥ K♦

HAND B

8♣ 8♦ Q♥

Choose a hand to read the comparison.

Read the worked explanation
Both hands contain a pair of eights. King is the higher unmatched kicker.
CHECK 04 / 12

Pure sequence and color

akq-high

HAND A

4♠ 5♠ 6♠

HAND B

A♥ J♥ 7♥

Choose a hand to read the comparison.

Read the worked explanation
The pure sequence is a higher category than color.
CHECK 05 / 12

Sequence and color

akq-high

HAND A

7♠ 8♥ 9♦

HAND B

K♣ 10♣ 5♣

Choose a hand to read the comparison.

Read the worked explanation
The mixed-suit consecutive ranks form a sequence, which ranks above color.
CHECK 06 / 12

Read the second rank

akq-high

HAND A

A♠ Q♥ 8♦

HAND B

A♣ J♦ 10♥

Choose a hand to read the comparison.

Read the worked explanation
The Aces match. Queen is then compared with Jack, so Hand A ranks higher.
CHECK 07 / 12

Read the third rank

akq-high

HAND A

K♠ J♥ 7♦

HAND B

K♣ J♦ 6♥

Choose a hand to read the comparison.

Read the worked explanation
King and Jack match in both hands. Seven is the higher third rank.
CHECK 08 / 12

A23-first convention

a23-high

HAND A

A♠ K♠ Q♠

HAND B

A♥ 2♥ 3♥

Choose a hand to read the comparison.

Read the worked explanation
Both hands are pure sequences. The stated A23-first profile places Hand B higher.
CHECK 09 / 12

Equal ranks across suits

akq-high

HAND A

A♠ J♥ 6♦

HAND B

A♣ J♦ 6♥

Choose a hand to read the comparison.

Read the worked explanation
The category and all comparison ranks match. Suits share equal standing, so the model returns a tie.
CHECK 10 / 12

Trail category

akq-high

HAND A

4♠ 4♥ 4♦

HAND B

10♣ J♣ Q♣

Choose a hand to read the comparison.

Read the worked explanation
Trail is the highest standard category and ranks above pure sequence.
CHECK 11 / 12

A23-low convention

a23-low

HAND A

A♠ 2♠ 3♠

HAND B

K♥ Q♥ J♥

Choose a hand to read the comparison.

Read the worked explanation
Both are pure sequences. In A23-low mode, the King-high sequence ranks above A23.
CHECK 12 / 12

Same pure sequence ranks

akq-high

HAND A

9♠ 10♠ J♠

HAND B

9♥ 10♥ J♥

Choose a hand to read the comparison.

Read the worked explanation
Both hands are Jack-high pure sequences with the same comparison ranks. The learning model treats suits equally.

Learn in short sessions with practice cards and planned breaks. Use the two-hand tool to change one card and explain the result. 18+ only.

Source references

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