Kicker

A Kicker in poker refers to the card in a player's hand that doesn't contribute directly to the rank of the hand, but can be used to break ties if players have the same hand rank.

What is a Kicker?

In poker, a Kicker is a card that is not part of the main ranking of a hand but can be used to break ties between hands of the same rank. For instance, if two players both have a pair of Aces, the player with the highest Kicker would win the pot.

The Importance of Kickers in Poker

Kickers play a significant role in poker, particularly in games like Texas Hold'em and Omaha. A strong Kicker can often mean the difference between winning and losing a pot when the board cards or other players' hands create similar hand ranks. Being aware of your Kicker and understanding its potential value in a hand can greatly influence your betting strategy.

Kicker Considerations in Different Poker Variants

The importance of Kickers can vary depending on the poker variant. In Texas Hold'em, they often decide pots, as many hands go to showdown with players holding the same pair or high card. However, in games like Seven-Card Stud or Razz, Kickers are less important as the goal is to make the best five-card hand out of seven cards.

Example of "Kicker"

For example, in Texas Hold'em, if you hold Ace-King and your opponent holds Ace-Queen, and the board comes out with an Ace but no King or Queen, you would win because your King Kicker is higher than your opponent's Queen Kicker.

• "His Ace Kicker clinched the pot for him when his opponent also revealed a pair of Kings."
• "Despite having a pair of Queens, her low Kicker cost her the hand."
• "Understanding the importance of Kickers, he decided to fold his hand with a weak Kicker."