Three-of-a-Kind holds the sixth position in the ranking of poker hands. poker hand rankings This hand is made up of three cards of identical rank or value.

When you hear the term 'Three of a Kind', it's clear that it involves a combination of three cards, which makes it a straightforward hand to identify. However, confusion may arise when trying to differentiate between what is known as a Set and Trips, both of which are variations of Three-of-a-Kind hands.

Let's clarify what we mean by a Set and how it differs from what is typically called Trips:

A Set occurs when a player has a pair in their hole cards, like a pair of 9s.♦9♣, matched with another 9♥on the board.

Trips refers to a situation where there is a pair visible on the community cards, such as a pair of 10s, while you also hold another 10, like 10♣, in your hand.♥10♦Here are some examples of Three-of-a-Kind hands you might encounter:

When assessing which of two Three-of-a-Kind hands is superior, it's crucial to consider the rank of the triplet cards. In this regard, the highest hand is Three Aces, which can be achieved with either a Set or Trips involving Aces.

K♥K♣K♠A♥J♠

10♦10♥10♠3♥2♦

In a standard 52-card deck, you can create 54,912 different combinations of Three-of-a-Kind hands, resulting in 858 unique rankings. Each hand is evaluated first by its three matching cards, then by the rank of the first kicker, and finally by the second kicker.

How Does a 3-of-a-Kind Hand Rank?

Here are a few additional examples of Three-of-a-Kind hands.

Can you identify which hand has the highest rank?

Q♥Q♦Q♠A♠J♠

Q♠Q♦Q♣A♣10♥

Q♦Q♣Q♥A♥4♥

It's important to remember that the suits do not matter in this situation; the kickers play a crucial role in determining which Three-of-a-Kind hand is the strongest.

In the poker hand ranking system, Three-of-a-Kind is recognized as the sixth-best hand available.

How Does a 3-of-a-Kind Hand Match Up?

It ranks just above it, with the highest type of Straight being the ace-high version, commonly referred to as 'Broadway'. The Straight Only three hand types are ranked lower than Three-of-a-Kind, with the hand that falls just below it being

. The strongest Two Pair hand comprises Aces and Kings along with a Queen kicker. Two Pair In poker, a Three-of-a-Kind is defined as a hand featuring three cards of the same rank, joined by two other cards known as kickers. Sometimes, this hand is informally referred to as 'Trips' or 'Set'.

1. What is a Three-of-a-Kind in poker?

2. Where does Three-of-a-Kind stand in relation to other poker hands?

Within the poker hand rankings, Three-of-a-Kind is considered a solid hand, especially in Texas Hold'em. It is rated lower than a Straight but higher than both Two Pair and One Pair.

3. How should I approach playing a Three-of-a-Kind hand?

If your kickers are strong, it's advisable to bet and attempt to increase the pot when holding a Three-of-a-Kind. However, be mindful of potential Straights or Flushes that may be forming on the table.

4. What distinguishes Trips from a Set?

Both terms refer to variations of Three-of-a-Kind, but a 'Set' usually indicates a pocket pair complemented by one matching community card, while 'Trips' suggests that two of the three matching cards are community cards with the other being one from your hand.

5. What are the odds of getting Three-of-a-Kind in Texas Hold'em?

If you start with a pocket pair, the likelihood of being dealt a Three-of-a-Kind on the flop is about 7.5 to 1 or approximately 11.8%.

Provided that no other players have a higher-ranked hand (like a Flush, Straight, or Full House), a Three-of-a-Kind can secure a win in the game. Additionally, the strength of your kicker cards will influence the hand's overall power.

6. Can Three-of-a-Kind win a poker hand?

7. Is Three-of-a-Kind stronger compared to Two Pair?

Indeed, a Three-of-a-Kind is a more powerful hand that ranks higher than a Two Pair.

8. What should I be cautious of when playing with Three-of-a-Kind?

Be on the lookout for stronger hands, such as a Straight or a Flush, as they will always defeat a Three-of-a-Kind.

9. Can a Three-of-a-Kind ever defeat a Full House?

No, a Three-of-a-Kind has a lower rank than a Full House, which includes a Three of a Kind along with two additional matching cards.

10. What occurs if multiple players hold a Three-of-a-Kind?

When two or more players have a Three-of-a-Kind, the winner is determined by the player with the highest-ranked matching three cards. If the three matching cards are of the same rank, the winner is assessed based on the kicker card's rank.

(this is based on five cards drawn randomly from a standard 52-card deck)

Visit our three of a kind odds article for more information

Discover more about 4-of-a-Kind hands in poker. Straight .