What is Showdown Value in Poker?

A hand that has a reasonable chance of winning in a showdown on a given board has showdown value.

For example, if the board runs out J2372♠, hands like 7♣ 6♣ and AQ and have showdown value, as this board doesn’t have any possible flushes or straights, and a pair or ace-high hand stands a reasonable chance of winning in a showdown. On this board, a hand like 54 would have no showdown value because it is the worst possible hand.