Full House
What makes a full house in poker?
A Full House is any three cards of the same number or face value, plus any other two cards of the same number or face value. An example of a full house is A♠A♦A♣6♥6♣, but 2♣2♦2♥3♠3♣ is a full house as well.
For you to be able to have a full house in no-limit texas hold'em poker, there always needs to be at least one pair on the board. Since you only have 2 cards in your hand, and you need to make three-of-a-kind ánd a pair, there needs to be at least two of the same value cards on the table.
An Example of Full House in Poker
The following five community cards are on the table: 4♥8♦9♦ J♠ 4♣
Phil Ivey has 4♠J♥ in his hand, he now plays a full house. With the 2 cards his hand, and the 5 on the board, Ivey has 7 cards total to make the best combination of 5 cards. Ivey doesn't use the eight and the nine, and makes 4♠4♥4♣J♥J♠; a full house.
Daniel Negreanu has 8♥8♣ in his hand, also have a full house. Negreanu doesn't use 2 of the cards and makes the best combination of five cards. In this case, Negreanu uses 8♥8♣8♦4♥4♣ to make his full house.
The best full house is the one with the highest three-of-a-kind. If you and your opponent(s) have the same three-of-a-kind, you'll look at who has the higher pair to go along with it. The one with the higher pair, than wins the hand. If you have the same three-of-a-kind and pair, you split the pot.
In this example, Negreanu with 8♥8♣ wins from Ivey with 4♠J♥. 8♥8♣8♦4♥4♣ is higher than the 4♠4♥4♣J♥J♠ of Ivey, and Negreanu wins the pot.
If you have the 8♥8♣8♦4♥4♣ full house, you can call it "eights full of fours". In this expression, you always use the three-of-a-kind first, followed by the pair. Ivey, in this example, had "fours full of jacks".
"Man, I had a full house right in the first hand of the day! Nobody could beat my aces full of eights, and I scooped a monster!"
Full House in Poker FAQs
What is a Full House in poker?
A Full House is a poker hand that contains three cards of one rank and two cards of another rank. For example, having three 7s and two 4s (7-7-7-4-4) constitutes a Full House.
How does a Full House rank compared to other hands?
In most forms of poker, a Full House ranks higher than a flush, straight, three of a kind, two pair, one pair, and high card. However, it ranks below four of a kind and a straight flush (including royal flush).
What beats a Full House in poker?
A Full House can be beaten by any hand ranked higher, such as four of a kind, straight flush, and royal flush.
How do you determine the winner if multiple players have a Full House?
When comparing Full Houses, the rank of the three matching cards is primarily considered. The player with the highest ranking three of a kind part of their Full House wins. For example, a Full House with three Aces beats a Full House with three Kings. If these are the same, the rank of the pair is then considered.
Is a Full House a rare hand in poker?
Yes, a Full House is a relatively rare hand in poker, particularly because it requires five specific cards to complete the hand. It's much less common than hands like a pair or two pairs, but it is more frequent than four of a kind, straight flushes, and royal flushes.
