What is a Three-of-a-Kind in Poker?

A Three-of-a-kind is one of the 10 poker combinations you can collect. It is not the best hand and falls to players quite often. It requires only 3 cards with the same value, of different suits. For example, in Texas Holdem, players have only 2 cards. So, to make a combination it is necessary to use the common cards on the board.

In what ways can this poker hand be played effectively? What are the odds of winning and how often does this combination come up? You can read about all this and other peculiarities in the article below.

What is a Three-of-a-Kind in Poker?

It is obvious from the name of this poker hand that it consists of three cards of the same value. The suits do not play a role. For example, the layout may look like Q♥ 10♠ 10♥ 10♦ 6♣.

What Does a Three-of-a-Kind Look Like?

A Three-of-a-kind look like a combination of 3 cards of different suits, but with the same value. Both pocket and common cards are taken into account.

For example, if a combination is opened on the table according to the scheme: 2♠ 2♥ 2♣ K♦ 7♣. The players have 2 cards in their hands: one has a Q♣ J♦ VS an Ace♦ J♣. In this case, the Three-of-a-kind is a shared hand as it is open to everyone on the poker table. The winner will be determined by the additional playing cards. The higher its value, the greater the chances of winning. In the specific example, the player with the pocket Ace of Diamonds will win.

In the case where a player has two cards of the same value, and there is one more missing card on the shared table, it is a Three-of-a-kind. For example, on the poker table the layout is 6♥ Ace♠ K♣ 9♣ 7♣. The player has 6♣ and 6♦ in his hand. By matching them, the poker hand is a Three-of-a-kind.

How Does Three-of-a-Kind Rank?

This combination is not the strongest in poker, but even it can bring big money! If more than one player has a Three-of-a-kind, the winner will be determined by the stronger card. For example, if the combination is on a shared table, the stronger pocket card will win. If the hand is collected using additional cards, then pay attention to their values. A combination of 6 will clearly be beaten by a similar combination of Aces. In this case, there is no difference what suits are caught.

What Beats a Three-of-a-Kind? 

Three-of-a-kind is the 7th highest hand. This means that all of the above will easily overpower it. Three-of-a-kind can beat only 3 combinations – Two Pairs, Pair or High Card. You can study all the nuances in more detail in the chart below:

Ways to Approach the Flush Draw

A Flush Draw is an unfinished combination of 4 cards of the same suit.  It is one card short of a completed hand. Each Flush Draw has 9 possible outs. However, players must keep in mind that some are in their opponents’ hands or in rebound.

Drawing this combination most effectively against a single player – do it more aggressively. In the end, the opponent should give up and give the pot. If there are several active players at the table, try to increase the pot carefully, without sudden actions.

Strategy to Play Three-of-a-Kind

If you’ve collected a Three-of-a-kind and want to take a good pot, you should play your hand carefully. For example, give your opponent the initiative and “call” his bets. Before showdown, raise it (if there is a suspicion that the player will be passive).

Try to guess the opponent’s hand range without showing emotion. Could he put together a stronger combination than you? Make a calculation of the board, compare it with your opponent’s starting cards and act!

Three-of-a-Kind Probabilities

The Three-of-a-kind is a fairly common combination, but don’t discount it! At one moment it can bring you a good profit. The probability of collecting this particular hand varies slightly from game to game. The table below gives more detailed information about the odds: