Does a straight beat three of a kind?

Five cards in sequence are harder to make than three of one rank, so a straight ranks above three of a kind, even a set of queens. Players holding a set often pay off a straight because trips feel strong, but on a connected board the straight is ahead.

On a board of Q♠ 9♦ 8♣ 2♥ T♦, one player holds Q♦ Q♥ for a set of queens and the other holds J♣ 7♠ for a queen-high straight. The set was well ahead on the flop and turn, then the ten on the river completed the straight, and the queens lose a pot they built.

Sets are the hands most often beaten by straights, because a set has to keep betting on connected boards to get paid. When four cards to a straight sit on the board and an opponent who has only been calling suddenly raises, a set is often behind. Below the straight sit three of a kind and two pair; above it, only flushes and bigger.

Quick tip: A straight outranks trips, even three aces.