In poker, the term “dominating hand” refers to a situation where one starting hand is significantly stronger than another one. A dominating hand has a better shot at winning than its opponent, and often has one card in common but has a superior kicker.

For example, if one player has A-K (an ace and a king), and another has A-10 (an ace and a ten), the A-K hand will dominate as both hands have aces, but the first hand has a superior kicker. In this case, A-10 is referred to as the dominated hand as it is weaker.

Domination in poker is important, as it often determines the likelihood of winning a specific round. Even if the dominated hand can improve, the dominating hand usually retains its advantage. Understanding the concept of dominating hands helps players to make more sound decisions when betting, folding, and calling.