Kicker (poker)
1) In draw poker, a side card (one of a different rank) held,
when drawing, with a pair or three of a kind, to disguise the
hand or to try to improve the hand. Often the kicker is an ace.
For example, a player opens with two kings. At the draw, the
player keeps an ace with the two kings and requests two cards.
The player hopes to fool the others into thinking he has three
of a kind, and also hopes to make two pair, aces and kings.
2) In hold 'em, the unpaired card that goes with a player's
pair or three of a kind.
Often, the rank of the kicker determines the winner of the pot.