What is a Boat in Poker?
A “Boat” in poker, also known as a full house, is a powerful hand combination that features three cards of one rank and two cards of another rank. This hand is ranked higher than a flush but lower than four of a kind. Boats are often game-changers and can lead to significant winnings if played correctly.
What Constitutes a Boat?
In poker, a “Boat” refers to a strong hand that combines specific card combinations. Below are the key components that make up a boat:
- Three of a Kind: This hand consists of three cards of the same rank, providing a solid foundation for a winning hand.
- One Pair: Complementing the three of a kind, a pair consists of two cards of the same rank, adding to the overall strength of the hand.
Ranking of a Boat
In the poker hand rankings, a boat is considered superior to a flush but inferior to four of a kind. This means it is generally a very strong hand that can typically lead to winning pots, especially in games like Texas Hold’em and Omaha.
Example Situations: Texas Hold’em & Omaha Tables
To better understand the concept of a boat, let’s take a look at some example scenarios from two popular poker games:
Texas Hold’em
You have 9♠ 9♥, and the flop comes 7♠ 7♥ 9♦. You now have a full house, or a boat, which is 9♠ 9♥ 9♦ 7♠ 7♥. This is a very strong hand, as it combines a three of a kind with a pair. Unless an opponent has four of a kind or a higher ranked boat, you have the highest possible hand on the table.
Omaha
You have 10♠ 10♥ J♦ Q♣, and the board shows J♠ Q♥ K♦ 9♠ A♥. You now have two pairs – Jacks and Queens – but also have the potential for a boat if the river card completes your full house by landing another Jack or Queen. This is a strong hand, but be cautious as there are potential straight and flush draws on the board that could beat your boat.