Definition

Noun: 1. A poker hand consisting of three cards of one rank and two cards of another rank: This is the primary and most specific meaning. It is a very strong hand in the game of poker. 2. A situation where a venue, such as a theater, cinema, or stadium, is completely filled with an audience: This is a common figurative extension of the term, implying maximum attendance and success.

Examples

• Noun (Poker):
  • He won the pot with a full house, three kings and two sevens.
  • A full house is ranked above a flush but below four of a kind.
• Noun (Audience):
  • The comedian was delighted to perform for a full house.
  • The concert was a sell-out, with a full house every night.

Advanced Usage

• "To play a full house": This phrase is used in the context of poker to describe having and betting on this specific hand.
  • She decided to play her full house aggressively.
• "To draw to a full house": In poker, this describes a situation where a player has cards that could potentially become a full house with the right community cards.
  • On the turn, he was drawing to a full house.

Variants and Related Words

• Full (adj): Containing or holding as much or as many as possible; having no empty space.
• House (n): A building for human habitation; also used for a theater audience or a type of gambling establishment (e.g., ).

Synonyms

• For the poker hand: There is no direct single-word synonym. It is described as "three of a kind and a pair".
• For the audience meaning: Capacity crowd, sell-out crowd, packed house.

Related Phrases

• "A full house beats a flush": A common phrase explaining the hierarchy of poker hands.
• "Playing to a full house": Performing for a completely full venue.
  • The band was used to playing to a full house on their tour.

Related Idioms

• "The house is full": A direct statement meaning no more seats are available.
• "Full to capacity": Completely full, often used for venues or containers. This is a more general phrase with a similar meaning to the figurative use of "full house".

Noun

1. a poker hand with 3 of a kind and a pair