What Does Full House Mean in Poker?
A Full House is a five-card poker hand made up of three cards of the same rank (called a set or trips) and two cards of another matching rank (a pair). The hand is ranked above a flush and below four of a kind in standard poker hand rankings. It’s one of the strongest hands in Texas Hold’em and many other poker variants.
What Does a Full House Look Like?
Player's Hand: 8♠ 8♦ Board: K♠ K♣ 7♦ 2♥ 8♣ Result: Full House — Eights full of Kings
The hand is named using the rank of the three-of-a-kind first, followed by the pair. In this case: “Eights full of Kings”.
When You Might Hear or Use the Term Full House
You’ll commonly hear “Full House” during showdowns, poker hand recaps, or commentary—especially when a big pot hinges on one player making this strong hand. Players may also refer to it casually as a “boat.”
In-Game Example
You’re playing a tournament and holding 8♣ 8♠. The board comes K♦ K♠ 7♥ 2♦ 8♦. You’ve made a Full House—Eights full of Kings. You value bet the river and get paid by someone holding a King with a weak kicker.
How to Identify a Full House
To form a Full House, look for:
- Three cards of one rank (e.g. three 8s)
- Two cards of another rank (e.g. two Kings)
- This can come from your hole cards, the board, or a combination of both
Full House vs Other Hands
| Hand | Beats a Full House? |
|---|---|
| Royal Flush | ✅ Yes |
| Straight Flush | ✅ Yes |
| Four of a Kind | ✅ Yes |
| Full House | – |
| Flush | ❌ No |
| Straight | ❌ No |
| Three of a Kind | ❌ No |
Strategy & Tips
- Best Practice: Maximise value by betting or raising, especially when the board texture is wet and likely to hit your opponent’s range.
- Common Mistake: Slow playing too often, especially on draw-heavy boards, can lead to lost value or dangerous river cards.
- Pro Tips: Consider the possibility of a higher Full House or quads in multi-way pots. Pay attention to board pairs and your opponents’ betting patterns.
Live vs Online Poker
- Live: Strong hands like Full Houses may be given away by physical tells. Stay aware of your behaviour when you hit a big hand.
- Online: Focus on betting patterns, timing tells, and showdown histories. Online players may disguise strength more easily.
Alternative Names
Boat, Full Boat
Glossary of Terms
- Trips: Three cards of the same rank, typically one in your hand and two on the board.
- Set: Three of a kind made using a pocket pair and one matching board card.
- Wet Board: A board with coordinated cards (e.g., suited and connected), offering strong draw potential.
- Value Bet: A bet made to extract chips from a worse hand that is likely to call.
FAQs
- Q: Can a Full House beat a flush?
A: Yes, a Full House is ranked higher than a flush in poker hand rankings. - Q: What beats a Full House?
A: Four of a kind, a straight flush, and a royal flush all beat a Full House. - Q: What if two players both have Full Houses?
A: The player with the higher three-of-a-kind wins. For example, Kings full of Fives beats Queens full of Aces. - Q: How do you name a Full House?
A: Name it by the trips first, then the pair. For example: “Tens full of Jacks.”
Related Terms
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