When two hands evaluated at showdown are of the same hand type, the first additional card is used to determine which hand wins. The card which is higher is said to be the top kicker.

During a round top kicker may also be used to refer to the absolute top kicker which is usually the ace, but may also be the king for a pair of aces. Often the phrase top kicker may also simply mean a high kicker which is likely higher than an opponents kicker.