Poker Guide:
Kicker Trouble
Refers to the situation that sometimes occurs in Hold’em where two players will have the same pair by sharing a one of the community cards that matches one of there hole cards, however the one with the smaller side card is said to have kicker trouble as their pair can be beaten by their opponents higher kicker. This phrase can also be used in reference to other hands that players may tie on and require the kicker to determine the winner.
SoundPoker Says: For example, a flop may come down 4h, 7s, Ad, and one player holds Ad, 8s, and another may hold Ah, Jc. Each player has a pair of aces, however, the player with only the 8 kicker has kicker trouble as the player with the Jack kicker will likely beat them.
