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Shan Koe Mee Hand Rankings — Complete Hierarchy

Every hand in ShanKoeMee ranked from strongest to weakest, with tie rules, payout multipliers, and the critical difference between AutoShan and regular high-scoring hands.

By Ko Aung · ShanKoeMee Academy·Last updated: April 2026
⚡ 30-Second Answer

Complete Hand Rankings Table

ShanKoeMee hands are ranked first by point value, then by whether the hand is a natural (AutoShan) or drawn. Higher rank always beats lower rank regardless of individual card values. The table below shows every distinct hand category from strongest to weakest.

Rank Hand Cards Points Payout Notes
1 Shan 9 (AutoShan) 2 9 2× Natural nine — unbeatable
2 Shan 8 (AutoShan) 2 8 2× Natural eight — beats all non-AutoShan
3 Three-card 9 3 9 1× Drawn nine — loses to any AutoShan
4 Three-card 8 3 8 1× Drawn eight
5 Two-card 7 2 7 1× Strong standing hand
6 Three-card 7 3 7 1×
7 Two-card 6 2 6 1×
8 Three-card 6 3 6 1×
9 Two-card 5 2 5 1×
10 Three-card 5 3 5 1×
11 Two-card 4 2 4 1×
12 Three-card 4 3 4 1×
13 Two-card 3 2 3 1×
14 Three-card 3 3 3 1×
15 Two-card 2 2 2 1×
16 Three-card 2 3 2 1×
17 Two-card 1 2 1 1×
18 Three-card 1 3 1 1×
19 Zero 2–3 0 loses Worst possible hand
Important: Two-card vs three-card distinction matters only at ranks 3–4. A three-card 9 loses to Shan 9 and Shan 8. For ranks 5 and below, two-card and three-card hands of equal value are treated identically in most rule sets.

Why AutoShan Ranks Above Everything

AutoShan (natural 8 or 9 on exactly two cards) occupies the top two ranks for two reasons: the immediate reveal rule (no draw possible) and the 2× payout multiplier.

When a player holds AutoShan, they flip their cards immediately. No draw decision is needed or allowed. This automatic reveal is why AutoShan hands are resolved before other hands in a round.

A three-card total of 9 is a strong hand — it beats everything from rank 4 downward — but it is fundamentally weaker than a two-card 9 because it required a draw. The draw itself signals that the starting hand was not a natural.

Remember: AutoShan is defined by card count (exactly two cards), not just point total. If you drew a third card and reached 9, you do not hold AutoShan — you hold a drawn 9, which ranks third.

Tie Resolution

When two hands of equal rank meet, the rule depends on whether AutoShan is involved:

  • Regular tie (ranks 3–19): The banker wins. No secondary tiebreaker by card rank or suit applies in standard ShanKoeMee. A player with a three-card 7 loses to a banker with a three-card 7.
  • AutoShan vs AutoShan (same value): Push — bets are returned. Shan 9 vs Shan 9 = push. Shan 8 vs Shan 8 = push.
  • AutoShan vs AutoShan (different value): Higher wins. Shan 9 beats Shan 8.

See the full Tie Rules guide for all scenarios.

Strategic Implications

Stand on 7: A two-card 7 is rank 5. Drawing a third card can only maintain or lower your rank (you cannot improve a 7 to AutoShan). Standing is almost always correct.
Drawing on 5–6 is context-dependent: You could reach a drawn 8 or 9 (ranks 3–4), which is better than staying at rank 7–8. But you also risk dropping to a lower total. See the strategy guide for probability-adjusted draw decisions.
Zero is not always a draw: With two face cards (both worth 0), you hold rank 19. Drawing is mandatory in practice, but even a drawn 1 (rank 18) is better than staying at 0. Always draw on 0.

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