The showdown is when two or more players complete all the betting rounds and the cards are turned over to see who has won. Only a percentage of your hands are going to make it to showdown; many you will pick up when everyone else folds or you will muck out yourself. Sessions will vary, but my play usually produces numbers between 15% and 25% of the hands in which I see the flop going to the showdown. That’s a lot of my play, so I want to have a high showdown winning percentage.

The showdown percentage can even be below 50% and still produce a winning session if you’re picking up enough uncontested pots. Showdown percentages are higher for players with a tight style, and often low for maniac or very aggressive style players who earn their bets through a higher uncontested pot winning percentage.