What is a kicker in poker?
A kicker is a side card that breaks a tie between two players with the same hand rank. For example, if both players have a pair of kings, the player with the higher next card wins. Kickers matter most with one pair, two pair, three of a kind and high card hands.
Examples
Section titled “Examples”| Board | Player A | Player B | Winner |
|---|---|---|---|
| K♠ 9♦ 5♣ 3♥ 2♠ | K♦ Q♣ | K♥ J♠ | A: pair of kings, queen kicker |
| A♠ A♦ 8♣ 6♥ 2♠ | K♣ 4♦ | Q♠ J♠ | A: pair of aces, king kicker |
| Q♣ Q♦ 7♠ 7♥ A♠ | K♠ 3♣ | J♦ 10♦ | Split: both play Q-Q-7-7-A |
| J♣ 10♦ 9♠ 4♥ 2♣ | A♣ 5♦ | K♦ 3♠ | A: ace high |
In the third example the ace on the board is the best kicker for both players, so they split the pot. This is called the board playing.
How kickers work
Section titled “How kickers work”- A poker hand is always the best five cards.
- With one pair, the three other cards are kickers, compared from highest to lowest.
- With two pair, there is one kicker.
- With straights, flushes and full houses, all five cards are already used, so kickers don’t apply in the usual way.
See poker hand rankings.
Why kickers cost beginners money
Section titled “Why kickers cost beginners money”Hands like A-4 or K-7 often make top pair with a weak kicker. When a tight player bets big, they often have the same pair with a better kicker. This is called being dominated: A-K vs A-Q wins about 74% of the time. See starting hands and the poker odds cheat sheet.
- Prefer hands with two high cards preflop.
- With top pair and a weak kicker, keep the pot small.
- Always check whether the board plays before calling a river bet.
What is a kicker in poker?
Section titled “What is a kicker in poker?”A side card that decides the winner when two players have the same hand rank, such as the same pair.
Does the kicker matter with two pair?
Section titled “Does the kicker matter with two pair?”Yes. With two pair there is one kicker, the fifth card.
What does ‘the board plays’ mean?
Section titled “What does ‘the board plays’ mean?”The best five-card hand is all on the board, so the players split the pot.
Why is A-4 a weak hand?
Section titled “Why is A-4 a weak hand?”When it makes a pair of aces, the 4 kicker often loses to a better ace.