Kickers

     Kickers are the leftover cards after a hand is declared. They determine who wins if players have the same hand. Since not all hands have "leftovers", kickers only apply to four-of-a-kind, three-of-a-kind, two pair, one pair, and high card situations. For situations with straights, flushes, straight flushes, two pair, and full houses, check out the links at the bottom of this page.
     In texas hold 'em you always use the best combination of five cards. Since a certain amount of cards are "used up" when you declare a hand, there can only be a certain number of kickers. Here's the short list...

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Four-of-a-Kind has one kicker. In this example, the 5 of clubs is the kicker.

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Three-of-a-Kind has two kickers. In the example below, the Jack of Hearts and Nine of Spades are those two kickers.

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Two Pair has one kicker. Below, the Ace of diamonds is that kicker.

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A Pair has three kickers. In the example below, the King of Hearts, the Nine of Clubs, and the Two of Hearts are those three kickers.

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Here are some examples to further explain kickers.
               Player One                                                 Player Two
                                                 

Three Aces with a King kicker beats Three Aces with a Queen kicker, so Player One wins.

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               Player One                                                 Player Two
                                                 

Two Pair, Jacks and Fives with a King kicker beats Two Pair, Jacks and Fives with a Queen kicker, so Player One wins.

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Same goes for high card hands...
               Player One                                                 Player Two
                                                 

Ace High (with a hand of AKQT5) beats Ace High (with a hand of AKQT4), so Player One wins.

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               Player One                                                 Player Two
                                                 

Players 1 and 2 split the pot, both having a hand of AKQT6.