Showdown
The showdown is the final stage of a hand in which the remaining players show their cards to decide who has the best hand and wins the pot. It takes place after the last round of betting if more than one player is left.
The simple explanation
If everyone checks or calls the last bet on the river, the players turn over their cards. The best five-card hand wins. If only one player is left, because the others folded, there is no showdown.
A closer look
At showdown, the player who made the last aggressive action usually has to show first, and if nobody bet, the player to the left of the button shows first. A player who has a losing hand may muck without showing. Showdown value is the ability of a hand to win at showdown, and 'went to showdown' is a statistic. You should show your cards clearly and promptly.
A practical example
Two players call the river bet. The first player shows A♥ K♥ and the second Q♠ Q♦, and the best hand wins.
Full explanation
The showdown is the final stage of a hand in which the remaining players show their cards to decide who has the best hand and wins the pot. It takes place after the last round of betting if more than one player is left.
A showdown is when players show their cards to find the winner.
It happens after the last betting round.
If all others fold, there is no showdown.
A losing hand can be mucked.
Compare the hands at showdown
No-limit Hold’em · Blinds 1/2 chips · No rake
Betting has finished. A announces “two pair”, but A’s best five are A-A-A-7-7: a full house. B has A-A-Q-Q-7. At showdown the cards determine the winner, even when a player miscalls the hand.
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).
- River · Pot: 12 chips
Betting has finished. A announces “two pair”, but A’s best five are A-A-A-7-7: a full house. B has A-A-Q-Q-7. At showdown the cards determine the winner, even when a player miscalls the hand.
Board: AAce of hearts (Ah)AAce of diamonds (Ad)77 of clubs (7c)77 of diamonds (7d)22 of spades (2s)
- Player A BTN / SB AAce of clubs (Ac)KKing of diamonds (Kd) · Stack 194 · In this round 0
- Player B BB QQueen of clubs (Qc)QQueen of diamonds (Qd) · Stack 194 · In this round 0
Cards are shown for learning; totals are displayed before pot collection.