Three of a Kind in Poker
Three of a kind (trips or a set) consists of three cards of the same rank plus two unrelated kicker cards, ranking seventh in poker.
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Example Hand
Three of a Kind Probability & Odds
What Does a Three of a Kind Beat?
WBeats (3 hands)
- Two Pair
- One Pair
- High Card
LLoses to (6 hands)
- Royal Flush
- Straight Flush
- Four of a Kind
- Full House
- Flush
- Straight
Three of a Kind Strategy Tips
In Hold'em, a "set" (pocket pair matching a board card) is far more disguised than "trips" (one hole card matching a board pair). Sets win larger pots because opponents cannot see them.
If you flop a set, you usually want to build the pot. Slow-playing is an option on dry boards, but on wet boards with flush or straight draws, bet to charge draws.
When you have trips using one hole card and a board pair, be cautious. Other players could hold the same trips with a better kicker, or even have a full house.
Three of a kind improves to a full house about 33% of the time by the river when you see both the turn and river cards.
Common Mistakes with Three of a Kind
Not distinguishing between sets and trips. A set (pocket pair + board card) is much stronger and more profitable than trips (one hole card + board pair).
Slow-playing sets on wet boards with multiple draws possible. Fast-playing protects your hand and builds the pot when you are likely ahead.
Overvaluing trips with a weak kicker in multi-way pots. If the board shows Q-Q-7 and you hold Q-5, any other player with Q-x and a higher kicker beats you.
How Three of a Kind Plays in Texas Hold'em
Flopping a Set
You hold 7♠ 7♥ and the flop comes A♦ 7♣ 2♠. You have a set of sevens, well disguised because the board does not show a pair. Bet for value and expect action from players with ace-x.
Set Over Set
You hold 9♠ 9♥ and the flop is K♦ 9♣ 4♠. You have a set of nines. If an opponent holds K-K, they also have a set (kings). Set-over-set situations are rare but typically result in very large pots.
Trips with a Weak Kicker
You hold A♠ 3♥ and the board shows A♦ A♣ K♥ J♠ 8♦. You have trip aces but your kicker is a 3. Any opponent with A-K, A-Q, or A-J has the same trips with a better kicker and wins.
Three of a Kind Tiebreaker Rules
The higher three-of-a-kind wins. Trip aces beat trip kings. If two players have the same trips (possible in community card games when three of a kind is on the board), kickers are compared in descending order. For example, Q-Q-Q-A-7 beats Q-Q-Q-A-5 because the second kicker (7 vs 5) is higher.
Three of a Kind FAQ
What is the difference between a set and trips?
A set is when you hold a pocket pair and one matching card appears on the board (e.g., holding 8-8 with an 8 on the board). Trips means one of your hole cards matches a pair on the board (e.g., holding A-8 with 8-8 on the board). Sets are stronger because they are better disguised.
Does three of a kind beat two pair?
Yes. Three of a kind always beats two pair in standard poker. Three of a kind ranks seventh while two pair ranks eighth.
Does three of a kind beat a straight?
No. A straight beats three of a kind. A straight ranks sixth while three of a kind ranks seventh in the poker hand hierarchy.
How often do you flop a set with a pocket pair?
You flop a set (at least one matching card on the flop) about 12% of the time, or roughly 1 in 8.5 attempts. This is why small pocket pairs are sometimes called "set mining" hands.
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