What is the Kicker Card and what are the rules to use this?
Table of content:
- What is a kicker?
- Kicker rules in poker and kicker in Texas holdem
- How to use a kicker in Texas Holdem?
What is a kicker?
A kicker is a card which is not used while making a hand combination with the community cards on the table. A kicker is also called a side card. It is possible for a player’s hand combination to have more than one kicker and at times, no kicker. A kicker’s main purpose is to break ties when two players’ hand combinations are the same.
For example, If Player 1’s hand combination with the community cards on the table is King (K), King (K), Rank 2 (2), Rank 5 (5) and Queen (Q) and Player 2’s hand combination with the community cards on the table is King (K), King (K), Rank 2 (2), Rank 5 (5) and Rank 10 (10), both players have a one pair or King. Both these hand combinations have 3 kickers, Player 1’s hand has Rank 2 (2), Rank 5 (5) and Queen (Q) as kickers and Player 2’s hand has Rank 2 (2), Rank 5 (5) and Rank 10 (10) as kickers. In a situation like this, where both players have the same hand combination with the community cards, we look at the kickers to determine the winner. In this case, if we compare the kickers, both players have Rank 2 (2) and Rank 5 (5) in their hands as kickers. The third kicker determines the winner.
Player 1 has Queen (Q) as their third kicker and Player 2 has Rank 10 (10) as their third kicker. By comparing these, we see that Player 1’s kicker, Queen (Q) is bigger in rank than Player 2’s kicker, Rank 10 (10). Hence, the winner of this round is Player 1. This was an example where a kicker was used to break a tie. Let’s see an example where a kicker cannot be used. For example, If Player A’s hand combination with the community cards on the table is King (K), King (K), Jack (J), Rank 8 (8) and Rank 7 (7) and Player 2’s hand combination with the community cards on the table is King (K), King (K), Jack (J), Rank 8 (8) and Rank 7 (7). Here, we see that both the players have the same cards, a pair and 3 kickers.
Since both the players have the same hand combination with the community cards on the table, we compare kickers. We notice that both the players have the same kickers, Jack (J), Rank 8 (8) and Rank 7 (7). This calls for a tie between both the players. In this case, when both the players have the same hand combinations with the community cards on the table as well as the same kicker cards, the pot gets divided between the two players.
Kicker rules in poker and kicker in Texas holdem
There is not a specific set of poker kicker rules of rules for Texas hold'em kickers. Kickers can be found in some hand combinations. Here is a set of hand combinations defining kicker in poker, Texas hold'em variant, which you can play on GetMega.
High Card-
Kicker rules in poker indicate that this hand combination with community cards on the table consists of kickers. This is because in this hand combination, there is no relation between any of the cards in terms of color or sequence. So technically, all cards in this hand combination can be considered as kickers. So, all these cards can be considered kickers in this hand combination.
One Pair-
Kicker rules in poker indicate that this hand combination with community cards on the table consists of kickers. This is because in this hand combination, only 2 of the 5 cards are being used for the 5 card hand combination, leaving the 3 other cards. So, all these cards can be considered kickers in this hand combination.
Two Pair-
Kicker rules in poker indicate that this hand combination with community cards on the table consists of kickers. This is because in this hand combination, 4 of the 5 cards are being used for the 5 card hand combination, leaving 1 card. So, this card is considered a kicker in Texas hold'em.
Three of a Kind-
Kicker rules in poker indicate that this hand combination with community cards on the table consists of kickers. This is because in this hand combination, only 3 of the 5 cards are being used for the 5 card hand combination, leaving the 2 other cards. So, all these cards can be considered kickers in this hand combination.
Straight -
Kicker rules in poker indicate that this hand combination with community cards on the table does not consist of any kickers. This is because this hand combination consists of all 5 cards in a sequential order. To have a kicker in Texas hold'em or any other variation of poker, there has to be one or more card left out of the 5 card hand combination which is not a part of that combination.
Flush-
Kicker rules in poker indicate that this hand combination with community cards on the table does not consist of any kickers. This is because this hand combination consists of all 5 cards of the same suit. To have a kicker in Texas hold'em or any other variation of poker, there has to be one or more card left out of the 5 card hand combination which is not a part of that combination.
Full House -
Kicker rules in poker indicate that this hand combination with community cards on the table does not consist of any kickers. This is because this hand combination consists of a three of a kind and a pair, forming all 5 cards of the hand combination. To have a kicker in Texas hold'em or any other variation of poker, there has to be one or more card left out of the 5 card hand combination which is not a part of that combination.
Four of a Kind-
Kicker rules in poker indicate that this hand combination with community cards on the table consists of kickers. This is because in this hand combination, 4 of the 5 cards are being used for the 5 card hand combination, leaving 1 card. So, this card is considered a kicker in Texas hold'em.
Straight Flush -
Kicker rules in poker indicate that this hand combination with community cards on the table does not consist of any kickers. This is because this hand combination consists of all 5 cards in a sequential order all of the same suit. To have a kicker in Texas hold'em or any other variation of poker, there has to be one or more card left out of the 5 card hand combination which is not a part of that combination.
Royal Flush-
Kicker rules in poker indicate that this hand combination with community cards on the table does not consist of any kickers. This is because this hand combination consists of all 5 cards in a sequential order from rank 10 (10) to Aces (A), all of the same suit. To have a kicker in Texas hold'em or any other variation of poker, there has to be one or more card left out of the 5 card hand combination which is not a part of that combination.
How to use a kicker in Texas Hold'em?
Using a kicker in Texas Hold'em is fairly easy. A kicker in poker, Texas hold'em variant or any other variant is described as a card which is a part of the 5-card poker hand combination but is not used to form the hand. A kicker in poker, Texas hold'em variation, specifically, can also be considered a part of the 2 card hand dealt to the player by the dealer. A kicker in poker, Texas hold'em variation, is used, for the most part, to break ties. As far as ranking is confirmed, the higher the rank of the card, the better the kicker in poker, Texas hold'em variation, is.
Now you know all about kicker cards and what they do! Download the GetMega app and play now!
