Three-of-a-Kind is sixth on the list of poker hand rankings. It consists of 3 cards of the same rank or denomination.

The words “Three of a Kind” should immediately have you thinking that it consists of some combination of 3 cards – this is what makes it a very easy hand to recognise. However, it can get a little confusing when it comes to distinguishing between a Set and Trips, which are both types of 3-of-a-Kind hands.

Let’s look at the definition of a Set and then what’s commonly referred to as Trips:

A Set is when you have a pair in your hand, like 9♦9♣, matched with another 9♥ on the board.

Trips happen when there is a pair on the board, like 10♥10♦5♠, and you hold another 10♣ in your starting hand.

Here are a few examples of 3-of-a-Kind hands:

K♥K♣K♠A♥J♠

10♦10♥10♠3♥2♦

When rating one 3-of-a-Kind hand over the next, it’s the hand rank or denomination that’s important. In that vein, the best 3-of-a-Kind hand is 3 Aces, whether that’s a Set of Aces or Trip Aces.

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

In a 52-card deck, there are 54,912 possible 3-of-a-Kind hand combinations and 858 distinct ranks of 3-of-a-Kind hands. Each Three-of-a-Kind is rated by its 3 cards of the same rank, then by rank of its first kicker and then the second kicker comes into play.

Here are a few more examples of 3-of-a-Kind hands:

Q♥Q♦Q♠A♠J♠

Q♠Q♦Q♣A♣10♥

Q♦Q♣Q♥A♥4♥

Can you tell which hand ranks highest?

Keep in mind that the suits are irrelevant and that the kickers determine which 3-of-a-Kind hand is best.

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

Three-of-a-Kind is the 6th best possible hand in the poker hand ranking system. The Straight ranks directly above it, with the best Straight being ace-high, also known as “Broadway”.

There are only 3 hands that rank beneath 3-of-a-Kind. The hand that ranks directly under a 3-of-a-Kind is Two Pair. The best Two Pair hand is Aces and Kings with a Queen kicker.

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

In poker, a Three-of-a-Kind is a hand that contains three equal ranking cards, as well as the two other cards (the kickers) that make up the full hand. Three of a Kind is sometimes called ‘Trips’ or ‘Set’.

2. How does Three-of-a-Kind rank among other poker hands?

In poker-hand rankings, Three-of-a-Kind is a good hand, particularly in Texas Hold’em. It ranks lower than a Straight and higher than Two Pair and One Pair.

3. How do you play a Three-of-a-Kind hand?

If you have a strong kicker, it’s recommended to bet and try build the pot when you have a Three-of-a-Kind. However, depending on the circumstances, be cautious of possible Straights or Flushes on the board.

4. What is the difference between Trips and a Set?

These are both common nicknames for Three-of-a-Kind, however a ‘Set’ typically means a pocket pair that are a match with one community card, while a ‘Trip’ usually implies that two of the three matching cards are community cards and the third is one of the hole cards

5. How likely am I to get Three-of-a-Kind in Texas Hold'em?

If you begin with a pocket pair, the odds of being dealt Three-of-a-Kind on the flop are approximately 7.5 to 1 or 11.8%.              

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

As long as no other players hold a higher-ranking hand (such as a Flush, Straight and Full House) then a Three-of-a-Kind can win a hand in poker. Your kicker cards will also affect the strength of your hand.

7. Is Three-of-a-Kind better than Two Pair?

A Three-of-a-Kind is a stronger hand and ranks above a Two Pair.

8. What should I watch out for when playing Three-of-a-Kind?

You should be aware of higher-ranking hands like a Straight or a Flush – these will always beat Three-of-a-Kind.

9. Can Three-of-a-Kind beat a Full House?

No, a Three-of-a-Kind ranks lower than a Full House which contains a three of a kind along with two other matching cards. 

10. What happens if two players have Three-of-a-Kind?

When more than one player has Three-of-a-Kind, the player with the highest ranking three matching cards wins. When the ‘Three-of-a-Kind’ hands are the same rank, the winner is decided by the rank of the kicker cards.

Visit our three of a kind odds article for more information

Now that you’ve got Three-of-a-Kind all sorted, we’ll move on to the next hand on the list. It’s called Straight.