We all know poker hands like one pair and two pair. But what about the elusive "three pair"? It’s a poker term that might pop up in casual conversations or during games.
- But does the 3 pair hand truly exist?
- Or is 3 pair a figment of our imagination in poker?
This article explores the myth and reality behind "three pair.”
What Is 3 Pair in Poker?
At first glance, the concept of "3 pair" sounds straightforward. If two pair means having two sets of pairs, then three pair in poker should mean having three sets of pairs, right? Not quite.
In Texas Hold’em and most standard poker games, a poker hand consists of only five cards.
That simple fact makes three-pair poker an impossibility. You would require six cards to create three pairs, which exceeds the five-card limit.
3 Pair in Texas Hold’em: The Myth
Let’s clear this up right away:
There is no such thing as three pair in Texas Hold’em.
The rules of poker simply don’t allow it. Players—especially those new to the game—sometimes mistakenly think they’ve hit the mythical three pair. It’s just not a legitimate part of the poker hand rankings.
Three Pair in Texas Hold’em — The Common Mistake
Even experienced players can sometimes fall into the trap of misreading their hand.
Let’s break it down with an example:
- Your Hole Cards: 8♦9♦
- The Flop: A♦8♣9♠
At this stage, you’ve flopped two pair: a pair of eights and a pair of nines. This hand is strong so far.
- The Turn: A♠
Now the board looks like this: A♦8♣9♠A♠.
It might seem like you’ve improved to "three pair" (a pair of eights, a pair of nines, and a pair of aces), but here’s where the rules come into play. Poker only evaluates your best five-card hand.
In this case, your hand is reduced to:
- A♠ (pair from the board)
- A♦ (pair from the board)
- 9♠ (your pair)
- 9♦ (your pair)
- 8♣ (kicker)
The pair of eights becomes irrelevant because the game only considers your best two pairs—the higher pairs take precedence.
This common scenario represents being “counterfeited. – in poker lingo.
Three Pair Counterfeiting Explained
Counterfeiting occurs when a community card changes the strength of your hand by rendering one of your pairs irrelevant.
In this case:
- You initially held two pair (eights and nines).
- The turn brought a second ace, creating a higher pair on the board.
- As a result, your pair of eights no longer matters because poker prioritises the strongest two pairs: the aces on the board and your nines.
Why Does This Mistake Happen?
The mistake of thinking you have three pair often stems from inexperience or a momentary lapse in concentration.
It’s easy to focus on the number of pairs you see on the board and in your hand, forgetting the five-card limit.
Three Pair in Other Poker Variants
Although three pair doesn’t exist in Texas Hold’em, it could theoretically appear in poker variants where a hand involves more than five cards.
For example, in Omaha, where players form hands from seven available cards (two in their hand and three from the 5-card poker board), you might visually identify three pairs.
Even then, only the best five-card combination counts, so three pair still wouldn’t qualify as a legitimate hand.
The Bottom Line — Is 3 Pair a Thing in Poker?
Three pair may sound intriguing, but it’s nothing more than a misunderstanding in the context of poker.
When evaluating hands in Texas Hold’em, remember these key points:
- A hand consists of only five cards.
- Only the two highest pairs count when multiple pairs are in play.
- Be mindful of counterfeiting when the board changes the dynamic of your hand.
By understanding the fundamentals, you’ll avoid the pitfalls of chasing the mythical three pair and keep your game on solid footing. Is three pair a thing in poker?
The answer is no, three pair poker is not a thing.
