Very basic question

[pernicus53]

I play online almost exclusively--have played live only twice. My question is, is there any law as to which person in a showdown has to show cards first? Sometimes one person shows and the other just says, OK, that's good and doesn't show. Can you just kind of wait until the other person does--what if neither wants to? Is it that whoever put out the initial bet (as opposed to the call) has to show first?

[Gonso]

Cash game:

When there's a showdown, the last person to take aggressive action is typically required to show first. Player A bets river, Player B calls, then A would be required to show 1st. If he refuses he'll be directed by the dealer to show or muck - it usually doesn't get to that point though. After seeing A's hand, B can still muck without showing.

Even then someone can invoke the hated "I Want to See That Hand" rule.

Tournaments:

When there's an all-in showdown (where only one player has money left), all players in the hand are required to turn up their cards.

[pernicus53]

OK, thanks

[metsandfinsfan]

most casinos i have been two make the person who is first to act show if both people check the river regardless of who was the last aggressor on the turn

[Small Fry]

Gonso is basically correct. But there are no "Laws" just some rules and some etiquette considerations. Typically if you think (or know) you have the best hand just flip it over. This helps keep the game moving. Having the best hand and waiting can be perceived as slowrolling. This means you delibertly wait to turn over your hand, or turn it over in a manner that gives the opposing player a reason to believe he possibly won. This is considered very poor etiquette.

Obviously if you want to see other players cards turning over your winning hand immediately will most likley cause them to muck without showing. Now you can use the other rules, like Gonso and Mets pointed out, to your advantage. But you still need to be careful, as even though your following the rules, you still don't want to come off as an ass

[Albert Moulton]

[ QUOTE ]
most casinos i have been two make the person who is first to act show if both people check the river regardless of who was the last aggressor on the turn

[/ QUOTE ]

This is true where I play. If all the action was completed on a steet prior to the river, then the player farthest from the button shows first. Then hands are tabled in order until the button shows last. This is regardless of who bet and who called on earlier streets.

However, if there is action on the river, then whoever "called" last gets to see the other player(s) hands until the last player who called gets to muck or show.

If a player in the hand demands to see a player's hand that he mucked after seeing a better hand in front of him, then that player can ask the dealer to show the mucked cards. However, this is supposed to only occur when someone suspects collusion - and it is considered VERY bad form at a live game. So, don't do it.