Poker: Full House

Poker: Full House

Definition of a Full House

In poker, a full house is a hand that consists of three cards of one rank and two cards of another rank. This hand is also commonly referred to as a "boat". A full house is considered a strong hand in most variants of poker.

Probability of Making a Full House

The probability of making a full house varies depending on the variant of poker being played. Here are some approximate probabilities:

  • Hold'em: 0.09% (when holding 3-of-a-Kind with a pocket pair)
  • Turn: 12.77% (from a set on the flop)
  • River: 19.57% (from a set on the turn)

Omaha Probability

In Omaha, the probability of making a full house is slightly higher due to the four cards dealt to each player.

  • Pre-flop: 0.14% (based on 5 cards randomly drawn from a full 52-card deck)
  • Flop: 0.65% (when holding 3-of-a-Kind)
  • Turn: 13.33% (when holding 3-of-a-Kind)
  • River: 20.45% (when holding 3-of-a-Kind)

Full House Poker Odds

For more information on full house poker odds, visit our Full House Poker Odds article.

Full House FAQ

  1. What is a full house in poker?

A full house in poker is constructed with three cards of one rank and two cards of another rank.

  1. Which full house is the strongest?

When two players both make a full house, the highest three of a kind creates the strongest full house; example: AAA88 beats KKK77.

  1. What is the correct way of describing a full house in poker?

The correct name is always "(three of a kind rank) full of (pair ranking)". For example, 88844 would be described as "Eights full of Fours".

  1. Is a full house a good hand in poker?

While nearly always strong, it does depend on the variant and the exact full house in question.

  1. How should we play a full house in Hold'em?

In most cases, full houses are very strong holdings in Hold'em and should be played aggressively.


A full house is a strong hand in poker that can be made in various ways. Understanding the probability of making a full house and how to describe it correctly are essential skills for any poker player.

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