I have written a poker hand evaluator in both C++ and Javascript. Basically the program would convert a randomly picked set of cards to a 3d array of 1s and 0s. By converting the cards into this format I was then able to write functions that would test for each type of hand starting from the highest.
So in recap, my program would generate random cards, convert them into a 3D array of hearts, diamonds, spades and clubs, where 1 represented one of the cards I had. I would then test the 3D array to see if I had a Royal Flush, Then Straight Flush, Then 4 of a Kind until a match was detected. Once a match was detected say after testing for a flush, then my program wouldn't have to test for straight, 3 of a kind, etc as a flush beats a straight.
Below is outputted data from my program:
My random cards:
Table Cards
{ Value: '9', Suit: 'H' }
{ Value: 'A', Suit: 'H' }
{ Value: '9', Suit: 'D' }
{ Value: '7', Suit: 'S' }
{ Value: '6', Suit: 'S' }
3D array representing my cards:
A 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 J Q K A
Spades
[ 0, 0, 0, 0, 0, 1, 1, 0, 0, 0, 0, 0, 0, 0 ]
Diamonds
[ 0, 0, 0, 0, 0, 0, 0, 0, 1, 0, 0, 0, 0, 0 ]
Clubs
[ 0, 0, 0, 0, 0, 0, 0, 0, 0, 0, 0, 0, 0, 0 ]
Hearts
[ 1, 0, 0, 0, 0, 0, 0, 0, 1, 0, 0, 0, 0, 1 ]
Using the values above I can tell that I have a pair 9s with an A, 7, 6 kicker.
You can see the array includes Aces twice. This is because you want to test for a straight flush starting from A. So (A,2,3,4,5).
If you wanted to test for 7 cards instead of 5 you could also use this system. You can include the users 2 cards with the 5 on the table and run it through my system. You can also do the same for other players at the table and compare the results.
I hope this helps a little.