The showdown is when the betting ends and the remaining players turn their cards face up. The best five-card hand wins the pot.

To win, show both of your cards. In most rooms you must show both cards to claim a pot at showdown. Turn them over clearly and leave them where the dealer can see.

You may hear that cards speak, meaning the dealer reads the real value of your hand, even if you misread it. Do not count on it. Always read your own hand carefully.

Protect your cards while the hand is live. Put a chip, a card cap, or another small object on top of your hand. If you do not, the dealer can pick up your cards as a muck.

Never fold out of turn. Folding early shows other players what you plan to do. It can even affect how the person before you decides, and the dealer may rule against you.

Do not talk about a hand while it is in progress. Do not tell anyone what you hold or what you would do. Wait until the hand is over before you talk about it.

If you lose at showdown, you can usually fold your cards face down instead of showing them. That gives up any claim to the pot. If you made the last bet or raise, you are usually expected to show first. Some rooms let a player who was dealt in ask to see a called hand, so ask the dealer how your room handles it.