How I Coded the Hand Ranking Logic

Thought Process

1. Initial Brainstorming:

   • Started by thinking through the logic for each hand type:
     • Flush: Simple to detect; use the high card as a tiebreaker.
     • Straight: Detect 5 sequential card ranks; use the high card as a tiebreaker.
     • Straight Flush: Combination of a straight and a flush.
     • Royal Flush: A straight flush with the high card being an Ace (rank 14, since Aces are always high in this game).
     • X of a Kind: Requires an array of unique ranks with counts to detect pairs, three-of-a-kind, and four-of-a-kind.
       • Use the rank (key) where the count (value) matches x.
     • Full House: A combination of a pair and three-of-a-kind.
     • Four of a Kind: Straightforward and can never result in a tie.
     • Three of a Kind: Straightforward and can never result in a tie.
     • Two Pair: Detect two pairs; requires a tiebreaker.
     • One Pair: Requires a tiebreaker since two players can have the same ranked pair.
     • High Card: The fallback hand type.

2. Breaking Down the Logic:

   • Needed a utility to create a count of each rank for detecting "X of a Kind."
   • Used this utility to simplify logic for detecting pairs, three-of-a-kind, and four-of-a-kind.

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Research and Collaboration

• Googled for Standard Algorithms:
  • Researched common approaches to poker hand ranking and absorbed key concepts.
• Discussed with Copilot:
  • Reviewed each hand type with Copilot.
  • Found most suggestions overly complex or verbose.

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Simplification and Implementation

• Simplified the Logic:

  • Instead of creating separate functions for detecting hand types and additional functions for tiebreakers, I consolidated the logic.
  • Created a utility map function to count the occurrences of each rank.
  • Used this map to directly determine hand types and tiebreaker ranks.

• Readable and Maintainable Code:

  • Focused on making the logic concise and easy to follow.
  • Avoided unnecessary complexity while ensuring accuracy for all hand types.

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This approach allowed me to implement the hand ranking logic in a way that is both efficient and easy to maintain, while ensuring the game adheres to standard poker rules.