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What is a Full House? Poker’s Iconic Hand
If you’ve ever watched a poker game or heard the term “full house” thrown about, you might wonder what it actually means.
This blog breaks down exactly what a full house is in poker and why it’s one of the most recognised hands in the game. Whether you’re brand new to cards, or just brushing up on your poker knowledge, this guide will explain it clearly using simple terms and real examples.
You’ll also find out how this hand compares to others, how it works in different types of poker, and what to look out for when playing online. Understanding how poker hands are ranked is key for anyone curious about the game – and it might just help you enjoy it more.
What Cards Make a Full House?
In a standard game of poker using a 52-card deck, a full house is a five-card hand made up of three cards of the same rank, plus two cards of a different, but matching rank. For example, if you have three 8s and two Queens, that’s a full house. You might hear it described as “eights full of Queens”.
Here’s a simple breakdown:
Three cards of one number or face (e.g. 8♠, 8♦, 8♥)
Two cards of another number or face (e.g. Q♠, Q♣)
This hand ranks quite high in the poker hierarchy. Only four of a kind, a straight flush and a royal flush beat it in traditional poker formats.
Full House Example:
10♣, 10♦, 10♥, 6♠, 6♥ → This is a full house: “Tens full of Sixes”
Each full house is ranked first by the three-of-a-kind part. So, a hand with three Kings and two 2s beats a hand with three Jacks and two Aces. The suit of the cards doesn’t impact the strength of a full house.
Comparing Full House to Other Poker Results
Poker hands are ranked from highest to lowest, and it can help to see where a full house sits. Below is a simplified list showing how a full house compares to some other common hands in most forms of poker, such as Texas Hold’em:
Royal Flush – 10 to Ace of the same suit
Straight Flush – Five cards in a row, same suit
Four of a Kind – Four cards of the same rank
Full House – Three of one rank, two of another
Flush – Five cards of the same suit, any order
Straight – Five cards in order, mixed suits
Three of a Kind – Just three of the same rank
Two Pair – Two different pairs
One Pair – One matching pair
High Card – When no cards form a pair or better, the highest single card is used to decide the hand
The full house ranks higher than a flush and lower than four of a kind. So, if two players have a full house, the one with the higher three-of-a-kind wins. If the three-card sets are the same, which is rare, the pair is used to decide the winner.
Full House in Various Poker Types
The full house usually works the same across many different poker formats, but how you get the cards can vary depending on the game type. Here’s a look at a few popular versions:
Texas Hold’em: You get two cards in your hand, and five community cards are placed face-up. Your best five-card hand is made using any combination of those seven cards. A full house is relatively rare, but has the potential to be very strong in this game.
Omaha: Players get four cards and must use exactly two from their hand and three from the community cards. This version makes stronger hands more common, including full houses, so it’s not as dominant as in Texas Hold’em.
Seven-Card Stud: No community cards are used. Each player gets seven cards throughout the round, with three face down and four face up. Full houses can sometimes appear more often in this variant, depending on how the game plays out.
Each version involves different betting structures and possible strategies, so it may be worth checking the game rules on your chosen platform. Full houses hold value in all poker types, but their strength can change depending on how many strong hands are likely in a round.
Play Poker Online
At Dream Jackpot, you can play real money poker games, alongside a wide range of popular table games and online slots.
Whether you’re interested in classic poker formats, or looking to explore something new, Dream Jackpot offers a user-friendly site that’s easy to navigate.
As a casino registered with the UK Gambling Commission (UKGC), Dream Jackpot operates with your safety in mind, offering a secure environment and access to responsible gambling tools.
You can log in or join to explore more of what Dream Jackpot has to offer. Always remember to gamble responsibly—only spend what you can afford to lose, and take regular breaks. Support is available if you ever need it through GambleAware.org.
*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.
If you’ve ever watched a poker game or heard the term “full house” thrown about, you might wonder what it actually means.
This blog breaks down exactly what a full house is in poker and why it’s one of the most recognised hands in the game. Whether you’re brand new to cards, or just brushing up on your poker knowledge, this guide will explain it clearly using simple terms and real examples.
You’ll also find out how this hand compares to others, how it works in different types of poker, and what to look out for when playing online. Understanding how poker hands are ranked is key for anyone curious about the game – and it might just help you enjoy it more.
What Cards Make a Full House?
In a standard game of poker using a 52-card deck, a full house is a five-card hand made up of three cards of the same rank, plus two cards of a different, but matching rank. For example, if you have three 8s and two Queens, that’s a full house. You might hear it described as “eights full of Queens”.
Here’s a simple breakdown:
Three cards of one number or face (e.g. 8♠, 8♦, 8♥)
Two cards of another number or face (e.g. Q♠, Q♣)
This hand ranks quite high in the poker hierarchy. Only four of a kind, a straight flush and a royal flush beat it in traditional poker formats.
Full House Example:
10♣, 10♦, 10♥, 6♠, 6♥ → This is a full house: “Tens full of Sixes”
Each full house is ranked first by the three-of-a-kind part. So, a hand with three Kings and two 2s beats a hand with three Jacks and two Aces. The suit of the cards doesn’t impact the strength of a full house.
Comparing Full House to Other Poker Results
Poker hands are ranked from highest to lowest, and it can help to see where a full house sits. Below is a simplified list showing how a full house compares to some other common hands in most forms of poker, such as Texas Hold’em:
Royal Flush – 10 to Ace of the same suit
Straight Flush – Five cards in a row, same suit
Four of a Kind – Four cards of the same rank
Full House – Three of one rank, two of another
Flush – Five cards of the same suit, any order
Straight – Five cards in order, mixed suits
Three of a Kind – Just three of the same rank
Two Pair – Two different pairs
One Pair – One matching pair
High Card – When no cards form a pair or better, the highest single card is used to decide the hand
The full house ranks higher than a flush and lower than four of a kind. So, if two players have a full house, the one with the higher three-of-a-kind wins. If the three-card sets are the same, which is rare, the pair is used to decide the winner.
Full House in Various Poker Types
The full house usually works the same across many different poker formats, but how you get the cards can vary depending on the game type. Here’s a look at a few popular versions:
Texas Hold’em: You get two cards in your hand, and five community cards are placed face-up. Your best five-card hand is made using any combination of those seven cards. A full house is relatively rare, but has the potential to be very strong in this game.
Omaha: Players get four cards and must use exactly two from their hand and three from the community cards. This version makes stronger hands more common, including full houses, so it’s not as dominant as in Texas Hold’em.
Seven-Card Stud: No community cards are used. Each player gets seven cards throughout the round, with three face down and four face up. Full houses can sometimes appear more often in this variant, depending on how the game plays out.
Each version involves different betting structures and possible strategies, so it may be worth checking the game rules on your chosen platform. Full houses hold value in all poker types, but their strength can change depending on how many strong hands are likely in a round.
Play Poker Online
At Dream Jackpot, you can play real money poker games, alongside a wide range of popular table games and online slots.
Whether you’re interested in classic poker formats, or looking to explore something new, Dream Jackpot offers a user-friendly site that’s easy to navigate.
As a casino registered with the UK Gambling Commission (UKGC), Dream Jackpot operates with your safety in mind, offering a secure environment and access to responsible gambling tools.
You can log in or join to explore more of what Dream Jackpot has to offer. Always remember to gamble responsibly—only spend what you can afford to lose, and take regular breaks. Support is available if you ever need it through GambleAware.org.
*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.
