Face Card

The term face card in poker is used to describe all “character” cards, i.e., all cards that have faces on them. These are, of course, kings, queens, and jacks. Sometimes, you’ll come across the term “picture card” used as a synonym for “face card.”

In poker, face cards have a special place as they, along with aces, stand to make some of the strongest possible hands – broadway straights, high flushes, and other strong hands, such as top two pairs.

When talking about starting hands, the main distinction is between suited and offsuit face cards. An example of a starting hand containing two suited face cards would be KsQs (a king and a queen, both in spades). An offsuit example would be QhJd (a queen of hearts and a jack of diamonds).

Starting hands containing suited face cards are generally stronger because of their potential to make flushes, straight flushes, and even a royal flush.

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