In a poker game where there are communal cards which all players must use to make their hand, it is normal for two of the players to have hands that are the same except for the side card. The side cards are often called the "kicker". The kicker is what makes the line between winning and losing a pot. There is a good reason behind the fact that the A-K is a major hand. It is mainly because of the kicker, or the strength of the kicker. Let’s say for example, you flop a set with A-K, it is for sure that it was the highest possible pair with the best possible kicker. If it were an A-2 which you were flopping, the kicker would have been the best or the worst. This is even if the side card would have been an ace.

To better understand the concept, let’s go through an example. You have been already dealt with and the opponent has an A-5. For the same instance, the flop is at A-4-4, you both would have made two pairs each. Let’s say things ended there, your kicker would be the one directing in a win/loss situation. If you win, it would be the strength of your kicker. You should know, A-A-4-4-Q is a better hand compared to A-A-4-4-5. The only way the opponent would win is if they were able to get a five on the turn. If the opponent did get it, then they would beat you to it. Although, it is not as easy as it sounds for the opponent, they have to be able to get one of the fives in the deck. There are only three left. No other card would make the opponent the winner. Some of the cards would make the poker game a tie, and force both of you to split the earnings. One example where we can see this is if there were a king that was caught, it would make both players tie in. Both hands would be the same, as this right here; A-A-4-4-K. This would be a preferred situation in some cases, where both parties are hoping to win some.

Even though no one likes it, the weak side cards are not the best with an ace in your hand. There is a reason behind this, and this is it; the opponents just love aces and they will very willing play any ace that is dealt, this is not the case for any other random card.