TPTK
TPTK stands for top pair, top kicker. You have a pair with the highest card on the board, and your kicker is the best possible.
The simple explanation
If you hold ace-jack and the flop is J-2-3, you have TPTK: a pair of jacks with an ace kicker.
A closer look
TPTK is often the dividing line between a strong hand and an average one. It is a good hand to bet, but it is only one pair, so it can lose to two pair, sets and draws that come in. Do not overvalue it in a big pot against a player who shows a lot of strength.
A practical example
You hold A♥ J♦ and the flop is J♠ 2♣ 3♦. You have top pair, top kicker.
Full explanation
TPTK stands for top pair, top kicker. You have a pair with the highest card on the board, and your kicker is the best possible.
TPTK means top pair with the best possible kicker.
It is a strong one-pair hand.
It can still lose to two pair or a set.
Do not overvalue it in a big pot.
Alternative spelling: Top Pair Top Kicker, Top Pair, Top Kicker
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.