In poker, the "Nut Hand" (or just "The Nuts") is the strongest hand possible in any particular
situation. The Nuts is one of the most popular terms in poker. To have the nut hand,
means you cannot be beaten.
For example in Texas Hold'em, if the board is showing 7
©8
© K
ª T
ª T©,
a player holding 9© J
© has "The Nuts" (a Jack-high straight flush in hearts),
and cannot lose. Sometimes, it is useful to know that your hand is the second or third best possible.
Having the nut hand is great, but usually the second nuts or third nuts will win you the
pot. You don’t have to have the nuts to win, but it sure does help.
Terms such as "Nut Flush" or "Nut Full House" are commonly used to refer to the highest hand possible
in that particular category, even though that hand may not be strictly considered the Nut
Hand. There is also a possibility of having a "nut losing hand," (a hand that will lose to anything.)