What is Three of a Kind in Poker? | 3 of a Kind Odds and Matchups Guide

Three of a kind, also known as trips or a set, is a strong poker hand that ranks above two pair but below a straight. This guide explains what it is, how often it occurs, the odds on each street, and how it compares to other hands like flushes and full houses.

What is a Three of a Kind?

Three Cards of the Same Rank Plus Two Kickers

Three of a kind is a hand that contains three cards of the same rank, plus two other cards that do not match. These extra cards, called kickers, can decide the winner when two players share the same three of a kind. For example, if you’re holding a pair of sevens and one more shows up on the board, you’ve got it. The specific kickers matter only if your opponent has the same trio.

Poker players use the terms set and trips to describe how the hand is made. A set comes from a pocket pair that matches one card on the board. Trips happen when you’ve got one of the rank in your hand and the board shows the other two. The hands rank the same, but they don’t always play out the same way. Sets are harder to spot, while trips are more visible and easier to put someone on.

In poker hand rankings, three of a kind beats two pair, a single pair, and high card. It loses to any straight or stronger hand. While not the top of the food chain, it’s a strong hand that often leads to solid pots when played well.

Three of a Kind Odds

1 in 46 on the Flop | 1 in 19 by the River

Three of a kind shows up more often than most premium hands but is still far from common. With any two random hole cards, your odds of flopping three of a kind are about 1 in 46. By the river, the odds of making it with your full seven cards improve to roughly 1 in 19.

Three of a Kind Overall Odds

Starting with a pocket pair gives you about a 1 in 7.5 chance of hitting a set by the river. Holding just one of the rank puts your odds closer to 1 in 25. Across all starting hands, three of a kind appears about 1 in 19 times in a full hand.

Three of a Kind Flop Odds

If you’re dealt a pocket pair, you’ll flop a set about once every 8.5 hands. That’s roughly 11.8%. If you’re hoping to match a single card in your hand with two on the board (trips), the odds jump to around 1 in 73. For all hands combined, the average chance of flopping three of a kind is about 1 in 46.

Three of a Kind Turn Odds

If you hold a pocket pair and miss the flop, you’ll complete your set on the turn about 1 in 11 times. If you started with one of the rank and hit one on the flop, your chance of seeing the third on the turn is about 1 in 47.

Three of a Kind River Odds

By the river, your chance of completing three of a kind from a pocket pair is roughly 1 in 46. If you’re holding one matching card, your odds are similar, about 1 in 45 to hit the third on the final card.

Three of a Kind Matchups

Matchup		Winner
Three of a Kind	Royal Flush	Royal Flush
Three of a Kind	Straight Flush	Straight Flush
Three of a Kind	Four of a Kind	Four of a Kind
Three of a Kind	Full House	Full House
Three of a Kind	Flush	Flush
Three of a Kind	Straight	Straight
Three of a Kind	Two Pair	Three of a Kind
Three of a Kind	One Pair	Three of a Kind
Three of a Kind	High Card	Three of a Kind

Does Three of a Kind Beat a Royal Flush?

No. A royal flush is the highest hand in poker and always beats three of a kind.

Does Three of a Kind Beat a Straight Flush?

No. A straight flush ranks higher than three of a kind and wins every time.

Does Three of a Kind Beat Four of a Kind?

No. Four of a kind always defeats three of a kind, regardless of kickers.

Does Three of a Kind Beat a Full House?

No. A full house, which combines a three of a kind with a pair, outranks it.

Does Three of a Kind Beat a Flush?

No. A flush, which is five cards of the same suit, beats three of a kind.

Does Three of a Kind Beat a Straight?

No. A straight ranks higher and beats three of a kind in all situations.

Does Three of a Kind Beat Two Pair?

Yes. Three of a kind wins against any two pair hand.

Does Three of a Kind Beat One Pair?

Yes. One pair is a much weaker hand than three of a kind.

Does Three of a Kind Beat High Card?

Yes. A high card is the lowest-ranked poker hand and always loses to three of a kind.

How to Play Three of a Kind

Bet for Value but Watch for Trouble Boards

When you hit three of a kind, you’re likely ahead of most hands. It’s usually best to bet for value, especially when the board doesn’t look dangerous. A lot of players will call with top pair, second pair, or even weaker hands.

If you’re holding a set, it usually flies under the radar. Players don’t expect it because nothing on the board hints at it. That makes it easier to get called when you bet. But when your trips come from two matching cards on the board and one in your hand, it’s a lot more visible. Other players are more likely to notice and either slow down or try to push you off with pressure if they sense strength.

Pay attention to board texture. If there are straight or flush possibilities, you might want to slow down and keep the pot manageable. If the board looks dry and unconnected, you should keep betting. There’s a good chance opponents will call with top pair or draws, which gives you a chance to build the pot. When there aren’t any obvious threats, it’s often correct to take your hand through multiple streets for value.

Be careful with checking just to disguise your hand. Unless you’ve got a read on someone who likes to bluff, it’s better to bet and stay in control of the action. Leading out forces others to respond and can earn value from hands that would otherwise check behind. Three of a kind is strong, but it’s not unbeatable. Staying aggressive is often the best way to protect your equity and get paid.

Three of a Kind Overview | Is Trips a Good Hand?

A Strong but Beatable Hand

Three of a kind is a good hand. It’s not perfect, but it wins a lot, especially when you’re up against just one or two players. Play it strong, and you’ll usually come out ahead. It beats two pair and everything weaker, but you still need to be cautious if the board starts showing straight or flush possibilities.

When you flop a set from a pocket pair, the strength is well hidden. Opponents usually don’t see it coming, which makes it easier to get value. Trips that come from the board are more obvious, so you may not get paid as often. Still, both versions are worth playing aggressively on the right boards.

Overall, this hand rewards good timing and solid reads. It won’t always hold up against heavy action, but when you play it well, it can be one of your most profitable hands.