Does a flush beat three of a kind?

A flush sits two rungs above three of a kind on the ladder, with a straight in between. Five cards of one suit beat a set of any rank, including three aces. On a board with three of one suit, a made flush is ahead of even the strongest set.

On a board of 8♦ 5♦ K♣ 2♦ 9♠, one player holds 8♥ 8♠ for a set of eights and the other holds Q♦ 9♦ for a queen-high flush. The set was a clear favorite on the flop against a bare flush draw, but the third diamond on the turn completed the flush, and now the set needs the board to pair to win.

Sets lose to flushes most often on the turn and river, after the set has already built a big pot. That is the moment to reassess: a third suited card plus a raise from a player who was calling is a flush most of the time. A straight sits between these hands, so the order from the top is flush, then straight, then three of a kind.

Quick tip: Flush beats a set. Order from the top here is flush, then straight, then trips.