A kicker is an extra card that matters after the main hand is identified. In poker, it often breaks ties between similar hands. In some video poker games, a kicker can change the payout, especially with four aces or four low cards in bonus-style games.
Plain Talk
A kicker is the side card that still counts.
If two players both have one pair, the unpaired cards can decide who wins. In video poker, the word can mean something more specific: a fifth card that turns a good four-of-a-kind result into a larger bonus payout.
This glossary page defines the term. For full game context, read Video Poker, Carnival Games, and the Glossary.
| Term | Plain-English meaning | Where it appears | Why it matters |
|---|---|---|---|
| Kicker | Extra card attached to the main hand | Poker and video poker | Can break ties or change payouts |
| Tie-breaker kicker | Side card used to compare hands | Poker and community-card games | Decides who wins when main ranks match |
| Bonus kicker | Special fifth card in some video poker games | Double Double Bonus-style games | Can raise a payout sharply |
| Paytable | Posted payout list | Video poker machines | Tells whether the kicker matters |
Where You See It
You see kicker in poker hand comparisons, tournament rules, video poker strategy charts, and bonus-game paytables. Poker TDA rules provide rule language for poker procedures, while video poker references such as Wizard of Odds Double Double Bonus show how kicker-style paytables can change a machine’s return and variance.
In regulated machine games, the outcome and paytable logic must be approved and testable. Standards from Gaming Laboratories International are useful background for understanding that the kicker is part of programmed game rules, not dealer judgment.
Why It Matters
Kicker matters because it can decide money after the obvious hand name is already known.
Two players may both say “I have a pair.” The kicker decides which pair is better if the pair rank is tied. In video poker, two four-of-a-kind hands can have different payouts because the fifth card changes the paytable category.
Example
In Double Double Bonus-style video poker, four aces with a low-card kicker can pay much more than four aces without that kicker, depending on the posted paytable.
The hand name “four aces” sounds complete. The payout may not be complete until the machine checks the kicker.
From the Casino Side:
From the casino side, kicker rules are payout rules.
For poker rooms and table games, staff use kickers to resolve who wins or whether a hand pushes. For video poker, the machine evaluates the final hand against the approved paytable. The casino does not debate the kicker at the machine; the software applies the rule.
Common Misunderstanding
Players often think the kicker is just decoration. In many hands, it is. In the exact hands where it matters, it can decide the winner or double the payout category.
Hard Truth
The kicker is easy to ignore because it looks like the leftover card. Sometimes the leftover card is the expensive part.
Related Terms
FAQ
What does kicker mean in poker?
It means an unpaired or side card used to compare otherwise similar hands.
What does kicker mean in video poker?
In some video poker games, it means a specific fifth card that changes a bonus payout.
Does every hand have a kicker?
Many poker hands can use kickers for comparison, but not every game or payout table treats them as important.
Can a kicker turn a losing hand into a winning hand?
In poker, yes, when the main hand ranks are tied. In video poker, it can raise a payout category if the paytable says so.
Should I hold a kicker in video poker?
Only when the correct strategy for that exact game and paytable says to do so. Kicker decisions are game-specific.
Deeper Insight
Rule Explanation
A kicker has two major meanings. In competitive poker, it is a comparison card. In video poker, it may be a paytable trigger. Those are not the same idea, even though the same word is used.
Formula Explanation in Plain English
For video poker, the kicker’s value is part of expected value. The correct hold is not “keep the kicker because it could pay big.” The correct hold is the play that produces the best average result across all possible draws.
Related Reading
Read Poker Hand Rankings for the comparison side of the term. Read Four of a Kind, Wild Card, and Paytable for the video poker side. For the wider player view, use Video Poker and Ask a Veteran.