Does three of a kind beat two pair?

Three cards of one rank beat two separate pairs, even aces up. This is the classic set-over-two-pair spot that wins large pots, because two pair looks strong enough to commit with. Trips of any rank beat the best two pair.

On a board of A♠ 9♣ 4♦ 7♠ 2♥, one player holds 9♥ 9♦ for a set of nines and the other holds A♦ 9♠ for aces and nines, the top two pair. Both players connected with the nine, but three nines beat two pairs, and the set wins the whole stack more often than not.

This is the cooler that decides most big pots on dry boards. Top two pair feels unbeatable to most players, which is exactly why a set gets paid so well. When a tight player raises you on a board with no draws, top two pair should slow down and think about a fold. Above three of a kind sit straights and flushes; below two pair sits one pair.

Quick tip: Three of a kind beats two pair, full stop, regardless of the pairs’ ranks.