Ranked poker hands are the foundation of poker games, determining the strength of a player's hand. The hierarchy starts with the high card, followed by one pair, two pairs, three of a kind, straight, flush, full house, four of a kind, straight flush, and the unbeatable royal flush. Each hand's rank is crucial for gameplay, as players aim to form the strongest combination to win pots. Understanding these rankings is essential for strategy and decision-making in both casual and competitive poker settings.