Traffic Lights System for Ranking & Weighting Poker Hands for Bets

Jump to Ranking Details

Traffic Lights: Green, Amber and Red are used to rank and weight 2-card hands based on probabilities of winning games. The system gives each card a score. Extra points are given for: Pairs, Suited and Connected cards. This is justified because it increases the Ways-of-Winning and the number of outs. A pair-in-the-hand often wins the game. Having Suited Cards increases the chances of a Flush. Connected Cards increase the chances of a straight. Having two Court Cards increases the chances of getting a high pair. The scoring system is based on the probabilities of winning with a hand of two cards.
See Resources for analysis of how the hand scores relate to the probabilities.

These Traffic Lights Rules is related to the Thrice is Nice Rule-of-Thumb.

Card Scores

Extra Scores

Traffic Lights Ranking

Simplified Traffic Lights Ranking Rules

Lime Green - Best Bets
Lime Green - Best Bets
Green - Good Bets
Green - Good Bets
Orange - Cautious Bets
Orange - Cautious Bets
Red - Poor Bets
Red - Poor Bets

Traffic Lights Ranking - Full Details & Hand Listings

Lime Green - Best Bets Rules

Lime Green Hand Rank Scores

Green - Good Bets Rules

Green Hand Rank Scores

Orange - Cautious Bet Rules

Orange Hand Rank Scores

Red - Rare Bet Rules

  • No bets when one card is < 7
  • EXCEPT
  • Cards BOTH suited & connected
  • Q6, Q5, Q4, Q3, Q2 suited
  • J6, J5, J4, J3, J2 suited
  • T6, T5, T4, T3, T2 suited
  • Red Hand Rank Scores