Showdown

River, board Kd 9h 4c 2s 7d. Two players left: the button holds Ad Kc for top pair, top kicker; the big blind holds Qs Qh, a pair of queens sitting under the board king. Both check, both table their hands, and the dealer reads it out: the button's pair of kings beats the queens, button takes the pot. That's showdown: no more betting, no more bluffing, cards face up and the best five-card hand wins.

Showdown is the only place a hand wins on strength instead of pressure. Every bet before it is an attempt to end the hand early: fold out a better hand, or build a pot you expect to win once the cards turn over. Knowing you're headed there changes how you bet: a made pair with a solid kicker can check and take a free look, while a hand that beats nothing at showdown has to bluff or give up. Position helps too, acting last, you see what your opponent does before you commit your own chips.

The common beginner mistake is showing a losing hand out of curiosity or tilt. Only the last player to bet or raise has to show first; everyone else can muck without revealing a thing. Flash a hand you didn't need to show and you hand opponents free information about how you play, for nothing in return.