Confused about kickers

Hi all,

Can someone please explain the reason why some hands are split and some hands go down to a specific kicker. I have seen some hands go down to the third kicker and then when I would have expected the kicker to be taken into account, the pot is split.
Specifically I am looking for a pair. two pairs and three of a kind.
Thanks
John

In the showdown the BEST 5 card hand is used. So that means if you have a low kicker in your hand and a card on the board is better, than the better card would play.

Right so if my hand is AAKQJ and your hand is AAKQ10, I would win because my J kicker is higher than your 10 kicker.

For two pairs it comes down to the fifth card. e.g. KKQQ9 beats KKQQ6 because 9 is a higher card.

For a set, it could be the 4th or 5th cards. AAAKQ beats AAAJ8 immediately because K is larger than J. But, AAAKQ beats AAAK9 because the Q is higher than 9.

Note that Full houses do NOT use kicker EVER. It is based on only the 5 cards being. I've seen some people argue that a sixth card could be used to break a tied FH. Not true.