Trips in Poker

Introduction

Trips in poker refer to three of a kind, where two of the three matching cards are on the board, and one is in your hand.

What are Trips in Poker?

In poker, “trips” refers to comprising three cards of the same rank, commonly called a three of a kind, like three Jacks or three 8s. It is crucial to remember that trips and sets are not the same. A trip is when you have one card of a specific rank in your hand and two cards of the same rank on the board (Community cards). A set is when you have two cards of the same rank in your hand and one card on the board. Trips are strong hands that usually occur in Texas Hold’em, Omaha, or Seven Card Stud. They are stronger than a two-pair or one-pair but not as strong as a straight or flush.

Playing Trips

While playing trips, you must consider a few factors, such as the board, your position at the table, your opponent's hand strength, and their playing tendencies. When seated in an early position, you can consider playing cautiously, whereas if you are sitting in a later position, you can make informed decisions based on your opponents' gameplay. Trips is a strong hand to play with, but considering your opponent's potential hands is crucial as they might have a hand stronger than yours, like a straight or a flush. Reading their gameplay will help you get insights into the strength of their hands, and you can act accordingly.

Example of Trips

Here’s an example of trips in a Texas Hold’em game:

Your hole cards: 7♠ 5♦ (you have a 7 and a 5)

The community cards: 7♣ 7♦ 2♠ K♥ 4♠

Here, you have trips with three 7s (7♠ 7♣ 7♦). You have one 7 in your hand, and two 7s appear on the board, forming three of a kind. The kicker in this hand is the K♥ on the board. Since there is no higher combination like a straight or flush, you are holding trips with a King kicker, and you can evaluate if your hand is strong based on the opponents’ betting patterns.

Trips in Different Situations:

Trips on a Low Pair Board:

Suppose you are holding 8♠ 4♣, and the board shows 8♦ 8♣ 3♠ Q♠ K♦. You have trips with three 8s (8♠ 8♦ 8♣).

This is a strong hand but not invincible. Your opponent might hold Qx or Kx, making a top pair or even two pairs, potentially challenging your trips. Consider how the other players are betting in this scenario and whether they might have a hand with a higher kicker.

Differences Between Trips and Set

The difference between trips and a set lies in the distribution of the matching cards:

Trips: One card of the rank is in your hand, and two of the ranks are on the board.

Set: Two cards of the rank in your hand, one of the rank on the board.

Both are technically three of a kind, but the likelihood of achieving trips versus a set can vary, and so can the strength of the hand.

Trips vs. Full House

A full house can often outclass trips Poker hand, so it is important to watch out for full house possibilities, particularly when matching pairs or higher-value cards are on the board.

For example, if your hand is 6♠ 6♣, and the community cards show 6♦ 2♠ 2♣ K♠ J♣, you have trips (three 6s). However, if an opponent holds 2♦ 2♠, they have a full house (two 2s and three 6s), which beats your trips.

Ranking of Trips

While trips is a strong hand, it’s ranked below other hands like:

Straight (five consecutive cards)

Flush (five cards of the same suit)

Full House (three of a kind plus a pair)

Four of a Kind

Straight Flush or Royal Flush

A key element of playing trips effectively is understanding their relative strength in different situations. Trips are generally more vulnerable than a set, especially if the board shows potential straights or flushes or multiple players are still in hand.

Strategies to Play Trips

Slow Play or Bet Aggressively

If you have trips, you must decide whether to slow-play (check or bet small) or aggressively (raise or make large bets). The choice often depends on the situation and your position at the table.

• Slow play

If the board is relatively dry (not many straight or flush possibilities), you might slow-play trips to induce bluffs from your opponents or to lure them into making larger bets.

• Aggressive betting

If the board is draw-heavy (e.g., four cards to a flush or straight), you may want to bet aggressively to build the pot and protect your hand from being overtaken by another hand.

Be Wary of Possible Straights and Flushes

For instance, if you have 8♠ 7♣ and the board comes 9♠ 10♦ 3♠ 2♣ 6♠, you are holding trips with the 7s, but there is also a straight (5-9) and a flush (5♠ and 6♠ are part of the same suit) on the board. While your hand is technically tripped, it is relatively weak compared to the board's potential to form better hands.

Trips with a Low Kicker

Suppose your hole cards are 3♠ 3♦, and the board shows 3♣ Q♠ 5♦ 7♥ 10♠. You have trips (three 3s), but your kicker is quite low. If an opponent has a higher kicker, like a queen or a pair of queens, they could beat your trips. In such cases, you will want to assess the strength of your hand based on the players’ bets and positions.

How to Detect Trips in Opponents' Hands

It’s important to look at the board and your opponent's behaviour to evaluate whether they are holding trips. For instance:

A player who bets heavily on the flop or turn could hold trips, especially if the board shows a pair.

If the player calls a large bet on a paired board and then raises on the river, they could hold trips or a set.

However, detecting trips requires experience and a keen sense of how your opponents are playing. Players who make unexpected large bets after the turn or river could indicate they have trips, but this could also be a bluff or a different strong hand.

Example of Trips on the River

Your hole cards: J♠ J♣

The community cards: J♦ 9♠ 5♥ Q♦ 3♣

You now have trips with three Jacks (J♠ J♦ J♣), and this is a very strong hand. While it’s still vulnerable to straights or full houses if the board changes, it’s a hand you would want to bet aggressively on the river to extract value from weaker hands.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the difference between trips and a set?

A set is when a player holds two cards of the same rank, and one matching card appears on the board. Conversely, trips occur when a player has one card of a certain rank in their hand and two corresponding cards appear on the board.

Can trips be beaten in Poker?

Yes, trips can be beaten by hands like straight, flush, full house, four-of-a-kind, and higher hands. For example, if there is a full house on the board or a straight flush possibility, trips could be vulnerable.

What are the odds of hitting trips in Poker?

The odds of hitting trips on the flop with a pocket pair are roughly 11.8%. If you don’t have a pocket pair, the odds of hitting trips on the flop are about 0.8%. However, achieving trips is relatively common, especially in games where many players are involved.

How strong are trips in poker?

Trips is a strong hand in poker. The community cards on the table, and your opponent's hand strength determines its strength.

How should I play trips?

You must consider factors like the community cards at the table, your opponents' playing tendencies, their potential hands, and your position.

Can trips beat a straight?

No, according to standard poker hand rankings, a straight is a stronger hand than trips.

Conclusion

Trip is a solid hand, but its strength can vary greatly depending on other players' actions. It's important to assess the risk of stronger hands, like a straight or flush, and adapt your strategy based on those factors. Understanding when trips are strong and when to be cautious is key to maximizing their potential in poker.