Three of a Kind
Three of a kind is a hand with three cards of the same rank, and two other cards. It beats two pair and loses to a straight. It is also called trips or a set.
The simple explanation
For example, three queens with a seven and a two is three of a kind. If two players have three of a kind, the higher rank wins.
A closer look
In Hold'em, three of a kind is called a set if you have a pocket pair and one on the board, and trips if two cards are on the board. A set is better hidden. The chance of making three of a kind in a five-card hand is about 2.1 percent. If the board is paired, there is a risk of a full house.
A practical example
You hold Q♥ Q♦ and the flop is Q♣ 7♠ 2♦. You have three of a kind.
Full explanation
Three of a kind is a hand with three cards of the same rank, and two other cards. It beats two pair and loses to a straight. It is also called trips or a set.
Three of a kind is three cards of the same rank.
It beats two pair.
It is called a set or trips in Hold’em.
The higher rank wins.
Alternative spelling: three-of-a-kind, 3 of a kind, 3-of-a-kind
Three of a kind
No-limit Hold’em · Blinds 1/2 chips · No rake
The blinds are 1 and 2 chips. Heads-up, the dealer (D) also posts the small blind.
Read the example transcript
Player A has the button (BTN) and posts the 1-chip small blind (SB). Player B posts the 2-chip big blind (BB).
- Preflop · Pot: 3 chips
The blinds are 1 and 2 chips. Heads-up, the dealer (D) also posts the small blind.
- Player A BTN / SB QQueen of hearts (Qh)QQueen of diamonds (Qd) · Stack 199 · In this round 1
- Player B BB AAce of clubs (Ac)KKing of diamonds (Kd) · Stack 198 · In this round 2
- Preflop · Pot: 8 chips
Player A raises to 6 before the flop.
- Player A BTN / SB QQueen of hearts (Qh)QQueen of diamonds (Qd) · Stack 194 · In this round 6
- Player B BB AAce of clubs (Ac)KKing of diamonds (Kd) · Stack 198 · In this round 2
- Preflop · Pot: 12 chips
Player B calls. Each player has put in 6 chips.
- Player A BTN / SB QQueen of hearts (Qh)QQueen of diamonds (Qd) · Stack 194 · In this round 6
- Player B BB AAce of clubs (Ac)KKing of diamonds (Kd) · Stack 194 · In this round 6
- Flop · Pot: 12 chips
The flop gives Player A a third queen. Three cards of the same rank are three of a kind.
Board: QQueen of clubs (Qc)77 of spades (7s)22 of diamonds (2d)
- Player A BTN / SB QQueen of hearts (Qh)QQueen of diamonds (Qd) · Stack 194 · In this round 0
- Player B BB AAce of clubs (Ac)KKing of diamonds (Kd) · Stack 194 · In this round 0
Cards are shown for learning; totals are displayed before pot collection.