Poker concept

What is Showdown in Poker? Definition & Examples

Here's a clear definition with real-hand context, plus how it connects to the rest of your strategy.

Quick answer

Showdown — When remaining players reveal their hands to determine the winner.

In more detail

Best 5-card hand wins. The aggressor on the river usually shows first; players can muck if they’re losing.

Common questions

What does Showdown mean in poker?

Best 5-card hand wins. The aggressor on the river usually shows first; players can muck if they’re losing.

Related terms

Action
Your turn to act, or the overall betting activity in a hand.
Bad Beat
Losing a hand where you were a heavy statistical favorite.
Board
The community cards dealt face-up in the middle of the table.
Cooler
A hand where two players have very strong holdings — unavoidable losses happen.

New to poker? Start with our preflop strategy guide and the free TAG cheatsheet.