WTSD from SB
WTSD from SB
The percentage of hands in which a player goes to showdown when they are in the small blind position.
Overview
WTSD from SB stands for "Went to Showdown from Small Blind." It is a poker statistic that measures the frequency with which a player sees a showdown (i.e., the hand reaches a river and both/all remaining players reveal their cards) when they are in the small blind position. This metric is commonly tracked in online poker HUDs (Heads-Up Displays) and is used to analyze a player's tendencies from that specific seat.
Calculation
WTSD from SB is calculated as: (Number of hands from SB that went to showdown) / (Total number of hands from SB that were not folded preflop). Some tracking software may include hands where the player saw the flop but then folded before showdown; the precise definition can vary. Typically, it only counts hands where the player saw at least a flop and did not fold before showdown. A common formula: SB WTSD = (Times went to showdown from SB) / (Times saw flop from SB). This distinguishes it from the overall WTSD which includes all positions.
Interpretation
A high WTSD from SB (e.g., > 40%) suggests that the player is willing to go to showdown often from the small blind, indicating they may be calling too wide preflop or playing passive postflop, often checking/calling rather than betting or raising. A low WTSD from SB (e.g., < 20%) suggests the player folds frequently before showdown, perhaps because they play a tight range or are aggressive postflop (betting and winning without showdown). The optimal WTSD from SB depends on game conditions, but for balanced play, it generally falls between 25-35%.
Strategic Implications
WTSD from SB is a key part of understanding a player's blind defense strategy. Because the small blind is forced to put in half a big blind, players often defend with a wider range than they would from later positions. However, being out of position postflop means that a high WTSD from SB can be costly if not compensated with strong hand value. Players with a very high SB WTSD are often calling stations who are easy to value bet against. Those with a very low SB WTSD may be folding too much, allowing the button or cutoff to profitably steal. Adjustments include 3-betting lighter against low WTSD players, or checking more in position against high WTSD players to induce bluffs.
Comparison with Other Positions
WTSD from SB is typically lower than WTSD from button (BTN) because of positional disadvantage. A button player has more information and can choose to check back or bluff more effectively, leading to more showdowns. In contrast, the small blind face tougher decisions, so generally, SB WTSD is lower. A large deviation from the average (around 28% for most players) can indicate exploitable tendencies.
Usage in HUDs
Most poker tracking software (like PokerTracker, Hold'em Manager) display WTSD from SB as a separate stat. It should be considered along with other stats like SB Fold to Steal, SB 3-Bet, and SB VPIP to get a complete picture of a player's small blind strategy.