Top Pair/Top Kicker (TPTK)
TPTK means top pair with the top kicker: you pair the highest board card and your other card is the best possible kicker. For example, ace-jack on a flop of J-2-3.
The simple explanation
With the best kicker, you beat all other hands that have the same top pair. TPTK is a strong hand, and you can usually bet it for value.
A closer look
TPTK is vulnerable to two pair, sets and strong draws, so it is not a hand to stack off with in every situation. On a dry board, it is often good enough to bet three streets, while on a wet board you should be more careful. The strength also depends on the opponent: a tight player who raises should be given credit for a better hand.
A practical example
You hold A♥ J♦ and the flop is J♣ 7♠ 2♦. You have top pair with the top kicker.
Full explanation
TPTK means top pair with the top kicker: you pair the highest board card and your other card is the best possible kicker. For example, ace-jack on a flop of J-2-3.
TPTK means top pair with the top kicker.
Only a better pair or two pair beats it.
You can usually bet it for value.
Be careful when facing a lot of aggression.
Alternative spelling: Top Pair Top Kicker, Top Pair, Top Kicker, TPTK
Top pair, top kicker
No-limit Hold’em · Blinds 1/2 chips · No rake
The blinds are 1 and 2 chips. Heads-up, the dealer (D) also posts the small blind.
Read the example transcript
Player A has the button (BTN) and posts the 1-chip small blind (SB). Player B posts the 2-chip big blind (BB).
- Preflop · Pot: 3 chips
The blinds are 1 and 2 chips. Heads-up, the dealer (D) also posts the small blind.
- Player A BTN / SB AAce of hearts (Ah)JJack of diamonds (Jd) · Stack 199 · In this round 1
- Player B BB 99 of clubs (9c)99 of diamonds (9d) · Stack 198 · In this round 2
- Preflop · Pot: 8 chips
Player A raises to 6 before the flop.
- Player A BTN / SB AAce of hearts (Ah)JJack of diamonds (Jd) · Stack 194 · In this round 6
- Player B BB 99 of clubs (9c)99 of diamonds (9d) · Stack 198 · In this round 2
- Preflop · Pot: 12 chips
Player B calls. Each player has put in 6 chips.
- Player A BTN / SB AAce of hearts (Ah)JJack of diamonds (Jd) · Stack 194 · In this round 6
- Player B BB 99 of clubs (9c)99 of diamonds (9d) · Stack 194 · In this round 6
- Flop · Pot: 12 chips
Player A pairs the jack and holds the ace as his other card. The ace is the best possible kicker, so this hand is top pair with a top kicker.
Board: JJack of clubs (Jc)77 of spades (7s)22 of diamonds (2d)
- Player A BTN / SB AAce of hearts (Ah)JJack of diamonds (Jd) · Stack 194 · In this round 0
- Player B BB 99 of clubs (9c)99 of diamonds (9d) · Stack 194 · In this round 0
Cards are shown for learning; totals are displayed before pot collection.