FULL HOUSE

FULL HOUSE

 One of the most powerful hands in poker is the full house. A full house is a hand with three matching cards coupled with two other matching cards. For instance, A-A-A-K-K is the best possible full house.

A full house is a very strong hand and should be played aggressively in any game, especially Texas hold 'em. Very rarely will a full house lose. It will often get paid off in a big way when an opponent has another big hand, especially trips, a flush, or in rare circumstances, a lower full house.

There are times to play a full house cautiously, especially when you have a low full house.

For instance, if you holding pocket 4s, and the flop is 4-6-6, you have just flopped a full house, fours full of sixes. If your opponent is holding a 6, you will be unlikely to bet him off. The same goes for an overpair.

The time for caution comes on the turn. If another 6 comes – unlikely, but possible – you full house is almost useless. It is now sixes full of fours, and any overpair will have you beat. In addition, if another big card comes on the river – a King, for instance – your hand is beaten by any week king.

A full house played properly will win you lots of chips, but always know when there are chances it might be the second best hand and you will thrive.

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