Showdown value
The quality of having a hand that can win at showdown without improving, but is not strong enough to bet for value. Hands with showdown value are usually checked rather than turned into bluffs.
Frequently asked questions
What is showdown value in poker?
The value a hand has from reaching showdown unimproved — a weak pair or ace-high that beats nothing strong but beats a bluff. It can win the pot without ever being bet.
Why does showdown value mean checking?
Because betting it achieves neither aim: the hands it beats fold, and the hands that call beat it. Checking keeps a hand that wins often enough to be worth getting to the river with — and keeps you out of a raise you could not call.
Which hands should bluff instead?
The ones with no showdown value at all — busted draws and complete air. Bluffing with a hand that could have won at showdown is one of the most common ways to turn a winning hand into a loss.