Hand rankings play a crucial role in determining the winner of each round when playing poker. While most players are familiar with standard combinations like pairs, flushes (five cards; all the same suit), and full houses (three cards of the same value and two cards of another value), some lesser-known variations and combinations can add some mystery to the game.
One such concept is “3 pairs” — an unusual hand that occasionally sparks curiosity, especially in games with multiple wild cards or unique rule variations. In this post, we’ll explore what 3 pairs mean in poker, how it occurs, and its impact on different poker variations.
WHAT IS 3 PAIRS IN A POKER GAME?
“3 pairs” in poker refers to a situation where a player forms three separate pairs of cards in their hand. While traditional poker hand rankings do not recognise 3 pairs as a valid hand, this combination can appear in certain poker variations, especially those with wild cards or games where players are dealt more than five cards, such as Seven Card Stud or Omaha.
In these games, the best five-card combination is chosen, and the concept of having 3 pairs can be intriguing, even though it doesn’t rank higher than 2 pairs or a full house.
WHAT DOES A 3 PAIR HAND LOOK LIKE IN POKER?
A 3 pair hand consists of three distinct pairs of cards. Pairs consist of two cards of the same value, such as two Kings, two Jacks, and two 7s.
However, since poker hands are evaluated based on the best five cards, only two of the pairs will be considered, along with one kicker (the highest remaining card). For example, if a player has 3 pairs, the highest 2 pairs will be used to determine the strength of their hand, while the lowest pair is discarded.
EXAMPLE OF 3 PAIRS IN POKER HAND RANKINGS?
Imagine a player in an Omaha game holding the following cards: Kd, Kc, Js, Jh, 7s, 7c, and 9d. This is an example of a 3 pair hand consisting of Kings, Jacks, and 7s. However, when determining hand rankings, the 2 pairs ranked higher; that is, the Kings and Jacks, would be used along with the 9 as the kicker. Therefore, this hand would rank as Two Pair (Kings and Jacks) with a 9 kicker, not as a special “3 pair” combination.
WAYS OF PLAYING 3 PAIRS IN POKER
In traditional poker games like Texas hold’em, Omaha, or Seven Card Stud, 3 pairs are not recognised as a valid hand, as the best five-card hand is all that counts. However, understanding how to play when you have 3 pairs is about making the best decision based on your highest two pairs and the kicker.
3 PAIRS ON THE FLOP
Having 3 pairs after the flop (the first three of the five community cards in Texas Hold’em or Omaha) gives you a strong starting point, but it’s not the final hand. Here, you’ll need to consider what the turn and river cards might bring.
If your 3 pairs consist of strong cards (like Kings, Jacks, and 8s), you can confidently continue in the hand. However, you should be cautious, as there’s potential for an opponent to hit a better hand (like a straight or flush) with the remaining community cards.
3 PAIRS ON THE TURN
If you find yourself with 3 pairs after the turn (the fourth community card), you’re in a position to evaluate the strength of your hand against possible straights, flushes, or full houses.
With 3 pairs, you’ll need to choose the two highest pairs and kicker, but also consider the possibility of improving to a full house if the river card pairs the board. At this stage, your decision will depend on whether you think your hand is strong enough to win, or if you should fold in anticipation of better hands from other players.
3 PAIRS ON THE RIVER
The river is the final community card dealt in Texas hold’em or Omaha, and if you end up with 3 pairs on the river, you need to focus on the highest 2 pairs and your kicker.
For example, if you have 3 pairs like Aces, Queens, and 9s, the best hand is 2 pairs (Aces and Queens) with a 9 as the kicker. At this stage, since all the cards have been dealt, your next decision is whether to raise, call, or fold based on the perceived strength of your hand and your read on opponents.
WHAT ARE THE PROBABILITIES OF HITTING 3 PAIRS IN POKER?
The probability of hitting exactly 3 pairs in Omaha Hi (a game where you are dealt four hole cards and must use two of them, along with three community cards) can be calculated, though it’s a bit complex due to the card combinations. Specifically, you’re looking for situations where you hold three distinct pairs among your four hole cards and the five community cards.
In Omaha, the odds of getting 3 pairs in your seven cards (four hole cards plus the best three of the community cards) is approximately 2.6%. This isn’t a common occurrence, but it’s not exceedingly rare either.
While exact probabilities may vary depending on the variation of poker being played, the 2.6% chance can serve as a general estimate in Omaha, since other games like Texas Hold’em don’t allow for 3 pairs due to hand limitations.
VALUE OF 3 PAIRS IN DIFFERENT POKER VARIATIONS
The concept of “3 pairs” does not directly exist in traditional poker hand rankings, but it can appear in certain games where players are dealt more than five cards. Let’s explore its value in different poker variations.
VALUE OF 3 PAIRS IN TEXAS HOLDEM POKER
In Texas Hold’em, each player is dealt two hole cards, and they use five community cards to form the best possible hand. Since poker hands are limited to five cards, “3 pairs” is not possible as a final hand.
In this variation, having 3 pairs is irrelevant, as only two pairs (the highest ones) and a kicker will count. For example, if you have Aces, Kings, and 7s, the best hand is Two Pair (Aces and Kings) with a 7 kicker.
VALUE OF 3 PAIRS IN OMAHA POKER
Omaha is a game played with four cards dealt to each player. Players must use exactly two cards combined with three community cards. In Omaha, it’s possible to have 3 pairs in your hand (using four cards), but only two pairs and a kicker will count toward your final hand.
Having 3 pairs here can be a strong hand, depending on the strength of the two highest pairs. For instance, Kings and Queens with a 10 kicker is still a solid hand, despite the presence of a third pair, which won’t contribute.
VALUE OF 3 PAIRS IN SEVEN CARD STUD
In Seven Card Stud, players are dealt seven cards, and the goal is to form the best hand of five cards. While you may end up with 3 pairs among your cards, only the two highest pairs will matter, along with a kicker.
Like in other games, the third pair is irrelevant for hand rankings, but having 3 pairs still signals a strong hand, particularly in this game where flushes and straights are less common compared to community card games like Hold’em.
3 PAIRS AGAINST 3 PAIRS — WHICH ONE WINS?
If two or more players both have 3 pairs, the highest pair wins, but it might not always be as simple as that.
The winner is determined by comparing the higher pair first, and if the pairs match, the second pairs will be evaluated. If this two pair contest is still a draw, the kicker (the highest-ranked card that doesn’t form any pair) will be used to break the tie. Let’s explore a few examples to see how this works:
Example 1: One Player’s Pairs Are Higher
- Player A holds 3 pairs: Kings, Queens, and 6s.
Player B holds 3 pairs: Jacks, 10s, and 5s. - In this case, Player A’s two highest pair holdings are Kings and Queens, while Player B’s two highest pairs are Jacks and 10s. Since Kings and Queens are higher than Jacks and 10s, Player A wins the hand.
Example 2: Identical Top Pairs, Kicker Decides
- Player A has 3 pairs: Aces, Kings, and 4s.
Player B has 3 pairs: Aces, Kings, and 9s.
Here, both players have the same two highest pairs, Aces and Kings. The deciding factor is the kicker (highest-ranked card). Player B’s 9 is higher than Player A’s 4, so Player B wins the hand with a better kicker.
Example 3: Top Pair Ties, Second Pair Decides
- Player A holds 3 pairs: Jacks, 9s, and 7s.
Player B holds 3 pairs: Jacks, 8s, and 6s.
In this case, both players share the top pair of Jacks. The second pair becomes the tiebreaker. Player A’s 9s beat Player B’s 8s, so Player A wins the hand.
Example 4: Tie Across All Pairs, Pot Split
- Player A holds 3 pairs: Queens, 10s, and 3s.
Player B holds 3 pairs: Queens, 10s, and 3s.
In this case, both players have the same top 2 pairs (Queens and 10s) and the same third pair (3s). Since all 3 pairs are identical, we’re talking about practically the same hand, as there is no kicker to break the tie. Therefore, the pot is split between both players.
THREE VS TWO PAIRS – WHICH IS BETTER?
Having 3 pairs is not a valid hand according to standard poker hand rankings. When a player holds 3 pairs, only the two highest pairs will count toward their hand, and the third pair will be disregarded. This means that a hand with 3 pairs is treated as having just 2 pairs. For example, if a player has pairs of Kings, Queens and 10s, their hand will be considered as “Kings and Queens,” with the pair of 10s ignored seeing as the card values of Kings and Queens are higher than 10s.
The reason that such hands work this way is that poker hands are always made up of the best five cards. Since 2 pairs consist of four cards (two from each pair), the one card remaining will be a kicker, which is used to break ties if two or more players have the same 2 pairs. Adding a third pair doesn’t increase the strength of the hand since the poker hand ranking system doesn’t accommodate more than a two pair hand.
In contrast, 2 pairs is a recognised and valuable hand in poker, where the player combines two sets of two cards of matching rank. This hand ranks above one pair hands but below three of a kind, straights, and other higher hands. Therefore, whether you technically have “three pairs” or two, the result in poker is the same—the hand will be evaluated as 2 pairs with the higher-ranking pairs and a kicker. Therefore, in practical terms, three pairs hold no advantage over 2 pairs in poker.
TIPS FOR USING 3 PAIRS
Here are some tips and tricks for you to use when sporting 3 pairs:
- Choose the Best 2 Pairs: When you have 3 pairs, only the two highest-ranked pairs will count toward your hand. Always prioritise the strongest pairs to maximise your hand’s potential.
- Leverage the Kicker: After selecting the best 2 pairs, your remaining highest card (the kicker) plays an important role in breaking ties. A strong kicker can be decisive in winning against opponents who also have 2 pairs, so keep an eye on this card’s strength.
- Play Defensively: While 2 pairs can be a solid hand, it’s vulnerable to stronger hands like 3 of a kind, straights, or flushes. Don’t get overly aggressive unless you’re confident your two-pair combination is strong relative to the board and your opponents.
- Monitor the Board: Be aware of potential straight and flush possibilities on the community cards. If the board shows a risky pattern, your 2 pairs (derived from three) may be weak against a straight, flush, or full house. Use caution in such situations.
- Use Deception: Having 3 pairs can sometimes be confusing for opponents who may misread your hand. If they expect you to have only a single pair or 2 pairs, you may be able to extract extra value from a strong two-pair hand by downplaying its strength and trapping them into a larger pot.
- Avoid Overcommitting: Don’t assume that having 3 pairs gives you significant strength. Your hand is still just 2 pairs in reality, so avoid committing too many chips if you sense your opponent may have a better hand.
FAQ
⭐ IS 3 PAIRS A STRONG POKER HAND?
No, 3 pairs is not considered a valid or strong poker hand in most traditional poker games like Texas Hold'em or Omaha. Poker hands consist of the best five cards, and if you have 3 pairs, only the two highest pairs will count toward your hand. The third pair is ignored, so the concept of "3 pairs" doesn't add value or strength to your hand beyond having 2 pairs.
⭐ CAN 3 PAIRS BE PART OF A POKER STRATEGY?
While 3 pairs themselves aren't part of the poker hand rankings, they can provide useful flexibility when selecting the best 2 pairs. In some cases, having 3 pairs gives you more options to create the strongest two-pair combination, along with a solid kicker card. However, this situation is uncommon and shouldn’t be relied on as a core strategy. Instead, focus on forming recognised strong hands like 2 pairs, three of a kind, or higher.
⭐ IS THREE OF A KIND IN POKER STRONGER THAN 2 PAIRS?
Yes, three of a kind (three cards of the value) is stronger than 2 pairs. In poker hand rankings, a three of a kind poker hand ranks higher because it is statistically less likely to occur than 2 pairs, making it a stronger hand. Three of a kind offers better potential to improve into a full house or four of a kind (four cards of the same rank but of four suits), whereas 2 pairs can be more vulnerable to being beaten by stronger hands.
⭐ CAN A THREE OF A KIND IN POKER HELP YOU WIN?
Absolutely, three of a kind can be a winning hand in many situations. It’s a strong hand that beats 2 pairs, one pair, and high card hands. Also, if played well, it can disguise your strength, as opponents might mistake it for a pair or 2 pairs. Its potential to improve into a full house or four of a kind further adds to its value in a winning poker strategy.
⭐ WHICH 3 PAIRS IN POKER ARE THE STRONGEST?
Although "3 pairs" isn't a recognised hand, when selecting 2 pairs from three, the strongest combination would always be the two highest-ranked pairs. For example, pairs of Queens, Jacks and 10s would be considered as "Queens and Jacks," which is a powerful two-pair hand. Always prioritise the highest-ranking cards when deciding which pairs to play.
⭐ WHAT BEATS A 3 PAIR?
Let's consider the fact that 3 pairs aren't recognised in the poker hand rankings, so let's assume we've made a great 2 pair. This is far from a strong hand; the royal flush beats it, the straight flush beats it, the full house beats it, etc. Simply put, anything from a royal flushes to three of a kind will beat a 3 pair.