when the kicker matters?

[therockofgibraltar]

This is so basic that I am embarrassed to ask but I just have to!

When does the kicker matter and when not?

If we both have the same pair, the kicker matter. But (at least sometimes) when we have two pair it does not matter. Then again if we have trips, it matters.

Sorry to ask this but I just have to know....

[Reef]

Basically, just look at the five highest cards of the seven being played.

Say you have A5 and put your opponent on Ax (x is 2-10). If the board is AAKQ, your kickers don't matter since both of your best 5 cards are AAAKQ.

However, If the board is A247J, kickers will play. Your best 5 are AAJ75. Say your opponent has A3, his best 5 are AAJ74 (you win). But now say he has A8, his best 5 are AAJ87 (he wins).

hopefully this helps

[Stupendous_Man]

It's always the best 5 cards out of the 7 (and can be any combination of the 7). The kicker comes into play when two, or more, hands tie initially. Say, you and another player both hit top pair of A's, next you look to see who has the next best card. When looking for the next best card, you can't forget the community cards.

As kickers do come into play, it's another reason why a hand like A-K is so much better than A-2.