Poker is a card game that has been around for centuries and has developed its own unique vocabulary and slang terms over the years. One of the more peculiar poker slang terms is calling the hand ’32’ the ‘diaper’. But where did this odd nickname come from?
The Hand 32 in Poker
In poker, hands are often nicknamed based on their appearance or composition. The hand ’32’ refers to a three and a two of any suit. It is one of the lowest and weakest starting hands in several popular variants of poker, including Texas Hold’em.
With just a three and a deuce, ’32’ has almost no intrinsic value. It does not connect strongly to many flops and will often be dominated and outplayed by stronger hands. As a result, skilled players will typically only play ’32’ in late position and in special circumstances where the hand warrants some potential trickery or deception.
Origins of the ‘Diaper’ Nickname
So how did this lowly poker hand end up with the unsavory nickname of the ‘diaper’? There are a few leading theories on the origins of this term:
- The ’32’ cards placed side-by-side vaguely resemble the shape of a diaper when folded.
- A hand with very little value is sometimes said to be ‘soiled’ or ‘dirty’, similar to a used diaper.
- The ‘3’ card represents trips to the potty, while the ‘2’ represents an accident or soiled diaper.
- The phrase “pocket treys” sounds similar to “poppa trees” which rhymes with “diapers”.
The most commonly cited explanation is that the 3-2 card combo simply looks a bit like a folded diaper when placed next to each other on the table.
Attributes of the Diaper Hand
So what is it exactly about the 32 hand that spawned this comparison to a baby’s diaper? There are a few notable attributes:
- Little intrinsic value – Just like a used diaper, the 32 hand has little inherent value on its own. It needs to be paired with other cards to gain potential.
- Minimal strength – The hand has very little strength versus most other starting hands. At best, it can make a weak pair or get lucky on a low straight or flush draw.
- Often discarded – When dealt 32, most players will quickly discard or ‘fold’ the hand, similar to how a soiled diaper is discarded.
- Low return – Even when played, the 32 hand has extremely low return potential, similar to how a diaper has already served its purpose.
- Undesirable – No one really wants to be dealt a 32, just as no one wants to handle a used diaper.
You certainly don’t want to be stuck holding the ‘diaper’ at the end of the hand with the losing cards. The only potential value comes from getting rid of it early or using it for some sneaky bluffs.
How Pros Play the Diaper Hand
While most poker pros will immediately muck a 32 hand, there are some tricky ways it can occasionally be put to good use:
- Bluffing on the flop – If the flop comes out low, like 2-3-4, a bold bluff may steal the pot.
- As part of a multi-way pot – With many players in the hand, 32 has deceptive potential.
- A chop pot scenario – When the board pairs and a chop is likely, 32 can call and aim for a split.
- In late position – When acting last preflop, 32 can sometimes steal blinds.
- Short stacked – When low on chips, 32 has potential for an all-in push.
But these are all extremely high variance plays relying on the table dynamics. Even the top pros will typically fold the ‘diaper’ rather than get tangled up in it!
Famous Diaper Hands in Poker History
While most pros try to avoid ever playing 32, there have been some famous ‘diaper’ hands over the years when players managed to pull off a big bluff or get extremely lucky:
Stu Ungar Bluffs with 32 – 1981 WSOP Main Event
In the 1981 WSOP Main Event, poker legend Stu Ungar famously used 32 to bluff on the final table against Perry Green. On a 10-high flop, Ungar rep the 32 despite having air and forced Green to fold the best hand. A gutsy ‘diaper’ bluff by one of the best in the game!
Anonymous Pro Hits Straight with 32 – 2015 WSOP $1,500 Event
At the 2015 WSOP, an unnamed pro shocked the table by hitting a straight with 32 after getting it all-in preflop against pocket Kings. The board ran out 6-7-8-9-4, dragging the massive 200BB pot against all odds and elasticizing the diaper!
Doyle Brunson Flops Quads with 32 – 1979 WSOP Main Event
The legendary Doyle Brunson once managed to flop quads with 32 in the 1979 WSOP Main Event on a miraculous 3-2-2 board. He lured his opponent into going all-in on the flop and scored a huge double up with the dirty ‘diaper’.
While these fluky scenarios are few and far between, they do show that even the lowly 32 can sometimes fill up and deliver a mess!
Key Takeaways on the Diaper Hand
- The 32 hand is nicknamed the ‘diaper’ due to its low value and shape when laid side-by-side.
- Pros will typically only play it as a bluff or in rare optimal situations.
- Occasionally, 32 will get extremely lucky and lead to massive pots.
- But most of the time, it’s simply holding the ‘diaper’ and headed straight for the muck pile!
How to Play 32 Effectively
While most players instantly discard 32, here are a few tips on how to play it effectively in case you do get dealt the dirty ‘diaper’:
Know Your Table Image
If you have a tight table image, you can sometimes get away with raising 32 preflop to steal blinds. But against observant opponents you’ll just end up overplaying your hand.
Consider Stack Sizes
When short-stacked, the 32 hand gains potential for an all-in move. But against a deep stack, you’ll need perfect cards to drag a big pot.
Look for Limpers
With lots of players limping in, 32 has more potential to flop something big as a multi-way bluff.
Watch Your Position
Only play 32 from late position like the cutoff or button when acting last. It loses significant value early in the hand.
Focus on High Card Flops
If the flop comes out with high cards like K-Q-J, 32 can represent a big hand and threaten a 3-high straight.
Size Your Bets
Use smaller bets when bluffing with air versus higher bets that look more like thin value. Overbetting with 32 looks extremely suspicious.
Have a Backup Plan
Always have a plan ready in case you get re-raised. Know when your bluff has failed and you need to eject!
Stay Disciplined
Don’t fall in love with 32 after one lucky win. Toss it in the muck and look for better holdings the vast majority of the time.
While utilizing these tips occasionally, remember that 32 is still a diaper – often useless and destined for the trash heap.
Common Mistakes When Playing 32
Some common mistakes to avoid when dealing the ‘diaper’ hand include:
- Chasing a low flush or straight – These low draws have terrible pot odds with 32.
- Paying too much to see the flop – Anything more than a limp is often overplaying 32.
- Slow playing for too long – Failing to realize 32 hasn’t improved on later streets.
- Calling with bottom or middle pair – Way behind most other hands on these weak holdings.
- Bluffing on bad boards – Better boards have high cards, not low or paired cards.
- Triple barrel bluffing – One continuation bet is often the max to invest with nada.
- Overvaluing after it pairs – Treat bottom set cautiously, don’t stack off.
Avoid falling in love and overplaying whenever the dirty ‘diaper’ hand pops up! It’s just not that powerful of a holding in most spots.
Fun Player Reactions to Getting Dealt 32
Poker players have some great reactions when peering down to see the dreaded 32 combo:
- “Who didn’t do a thorough wipe here?”
- “Time to go to the restroom for a quick change.”
- “Well that hand is totally crapped out.”
- “Ew, I’ve been diaper dandied!”
- “No thanks, I’m allergic to bad beats.”
- “Who’s got the hand sanitizer?”
It’s no surprise that getting dealt 32 leads to groans, laughs, and jokes at the poker table. After all, no one wants to get their hands dirty with a framed-up, sagging diaper!
Popular Poker Sayings About 32
There are also some commonly used poker sayings related to the 32 ‘diaper’ hand:
- “3-2 play like poo.”
- “I’d rather sit out than play with that poopy pair.”
- “Don’t get your hands full of number two.”
- “Stay out of the dirty diaper.”
- “No thanks, I’m already potty trained.”
- “Who’s got a clothes pin for my nose?”
As these sayings highlight, no one wants to handle the stinky 32 diaper hand or get embroiled in that kind of messy situation!
Conclusion
While the 32 hand might look innocently enough at first glance, its resemblance to a folded diaper when laid side-by-side has cemented its reputation as the ‘diaper’ hand in poker. With very little intrinsic value and potential for trouble, most pros try to toss 32 straight into the muck whenever it is dealt. But occasionally with the right bluffs and some good fortune, even the lowly diaper hand can end up delivering a full payoff and leaving the table talking!
