Poker Full House Rules & Examples for Beginners
A Full House is one of the strongest and most recognisable hands in poker – but what exactly is it, and how do you know when you have one?
If you’re just starting out and trying to get your head around the basics, this guide can help you understand what a Full House looks like, how it compares to other hands, and where it sits in the ranking of poker hands.
Whether you’re playing online or at a live table, understanding a Full House could help you make more informed decisions while playing. This blog will explain everything step-by-step, using simple examples that are easy to follow.
Understanding the Poker Full House
In poker, a Full House is a five-card hand made up of three cards of the same rank and two cards of a different matching rank. For example, if you hold three 8s and two Kings, you’ve got a Full House – often read aloud as “Eights full of Kings”.
Poker hands are always ranked based on specific combinations, with a Full House ranking above a Flush and below Four of a Kind.
In standard poker, hand rankings used in games like Texas Hold’em and Omaha, a Full House is a very strong hand. It beats hands like Straights, Flushes, and Pairs.
The higher the three-of-a-kind part, the stronger the Full House. So, for instance, a Full House made with three Aces will beat one made with three Kings – regardless of the pair involved.
Building a Full House in Different Games
How a Full House is formed can vary slightly depending on which type of poker you’re playing. Let’s look at how this works in a few of the most common variants.
Texas Hold’em
In Texas Hold’em, you’re dealt two private cards (known as “hole cards”) and share five community cards placed face-up on the table. You use any combination of five cards from the seven available to form your hand.
Example:
- Hole cards: 9♠ and 9♦
- Community cards: 9♥, 4♣, 4♠, K♠, 2♥
- Hand: Full House (Nines full of Fours)
Omaha
In Omaha, you’re dealt four hole cards but you must use exactly two of them with three of the five community cards.
Example:
- Hole cards: A♠, A♦, 3♠, 6♣
- Community cards: A♥, 3♦, 3♣, 8♠, J♠
- Hand: Full House (Aces full of Threes)
Because Omaha requires specific card combinations, it can often lead to higher-ranked hands compared to Texas Hold’em.
Seven-Card Stud
This version doesn’t use community cards. Instead, each player receives seven cards – some face-up, some face-down – and the best five-card hand wins.
Example:
If you’re dealt three Jacks and two 5s, you’ve got a Full House (Jacks full of Fives).
Different poker variants may change how cards are dealt, but the ranking of a Full House usually stays the same across standard formats.
Full House Odds Made Simple
Getting a Full House isn’t very common, especially when playing Texas Hold’em. But it may be useful to have a rough idea of how likely it is.
Texas Hold’em
The chances of making a Full House by the river (the fifth and final community card) depend on what you’re holding.
- If you start with a pocket pair (e.g. two 7s), the odds of making a Full House by the river are roughly 0.9% before the flop.
- If you already have a Three of a Kind on the flop, the chance of upgrading to a Full House by the river is around 33%.
Omaha
In Omaha, you’re dealt more cards and can potentially create stronger combinations, so the odds of getting a Full House are higher – though this also means your opponents are more likely to have strong hands too.
Remember, all poker hands involve chance, and outcomes cannot be predicted or guaranteed.
Hands That Outrank a Full House
A Full House is strong, but there are several hands that rank even higher in standard poker hand rankings:
- Four of a Kind – Four cards of the same rank (e.g. 4 Queens)
- Straight Flush – Five cards in sequence, all of the same suit (e.g. 5♦, 6♦, 7♦, 8♦, 9♦)
- Royal Flush – The highest possible hand: A, K, Q, J, 10 – all of the same suit
If someone holds one of these, they will beat your Full House, no matter how high the ranks in your hand are.
When two players both have a Full House, the winner is decided by the rank of the three-of-a-kind part first. If those match, the pair part is compared.
Full House vs. Flush – Which Is Stronger?
In standard poker hand rankings, a Full House beats a Flush.
Here’s why:
- A Flush is five cards of the same suit, not in sequence (e.g. 2♣, 6♣, 9♣, J♣, K♣).
- A Full House combines both a three-of-a-kind and a pair, which is considered a stronger combination in most poker games.
Even if a Flush is made with high cards, it won’t outrank a Full House.
For example:
- Full House: Three 10s and two 4s (Tens full of Fours)
- Flush: Five cards in hearts – 2♥, 6♥, 9♥, J♥, K♥
In this case, the Full House wins.
Play Poker Online
Online poker games often follow the same rules as their live versions, but each platform might have different formats, features, or limits. Some might offer quick-paced versions like Zoom Poker, while others may provide tournament tables or cash games.
Before you start playing, it may be worth checking:
- The type of poker offered (e.g. Texas Hold’em, Omaha)
- The table limits and betting structures
- Any game-specific rules in the platform’s help or rules section
Keep in mind that while strategy and skill are part of poker, there is always an element of chance in every hand. There is no strategy that can remove that unpredictability.
If you choose to play poker online, remember to set time and spending limits. Only gamble with money you can afford to lose, and take regular breaks. Poker should be treated as a form of entertainment – not a way to make money.
If you’re ever unsure or need help managing your gambling, there are free tools and services available, including those offered by GambleAware and GamStop.
*All values (Bet Levels, Maximum Wins etc.) mentioned in relation to these games are subject to change at any time. Game features mentioned may not be available in some jurisdictions.
**The information provided in this blog is intended for educational purposes and should not be construed as betting advice or a guarantee of success. Always gamble responsibly.