Showdown in Poker lingo means when the remaining players exposing and comparing their hands to determine the winner after the last betting round.

Often the most exciting part of any poker game, showdown is when nerves are racing and the level of adrenaline is the highest. Undoubtedly, poker showdown gives most players the buzz. Some poker players say that showdown is what the game is about.

Showdown is when a player must show all of his cards on the table, no matter whether they were used in the final hand or not. Cards speak for themselves: the actual value of a player's hand is taken into consideration in the event when a player deliberately or accidentally mis-states the value of his hand.

The last player to take aggressive action by a bet or raise is the first to show the hand, otherwise the first player to the left of the dealer is the first to show the hand. If there is a side pot, players involved in the side pot should show their hands before anyone who is all-in for only the main pot.

To speed up the game, a player holding a probable winner is encouraged to show the hand without delay. Any player who has been dealt in may request to see any hand that is eligible to participate in the showdown.


Because the act of folding a losing hand rather than showing it down is so common, some players can take advantage of others who do this with a rare play called a call-bluff.

Source:  Poker777Staff

Tuesday, 26 May 2009