Kicker

Kicker stands as a supplementary card which decides a winner between players when they match in hand rank. The kicker becomes decisive for winning a poker game when different players share equivalent hands. 

Application 

When two players share a pair of Kings, the one holding the higher kicker wins the prize, as their additional ranking card is more powerful. Two players holding King cards face off when one holds a King and a 10, because the extra 10 counts as their winning kicker, beating the player with a King and a 9. 

Importance 

Knowledge about kickers should be fundamental for players, as this information shapes how they perform optimally throughout their hand. The concept puts substantial value on main hand cards, even as it recognises additional cards which prove deciding factors in tight contests.