Poker News just ran a story about what asking this question means about a player's hand. Like always it was pretty basic but I am wondering if anyone uses it as a read or an angle.
1. What does it mean when a player says yes or no?
2.What does it mean when players ask?

In my experience it means different things from different player types.
1. First I will never ask this question because I dont think it reveals much about the strength of another players hand. My brain power is best spent working out the meaning behind bet sizing. As far as other players answering it, if the nice older man says yes it just means he will show. It doesnt mean he is bluffing or not it just means yes he will show. The crazy kid might just be lying.

2. As far as players asking the question I try not to answer when I am asked. I do not know how the other player will interpret my answer and I don't want to feel like blaming myself if my answer sways him in the wrong way. But I think when the tighter more conservative player asks it means that he wants to satisfy that curiosity that leads most Low stakes players to call down too often, but he really wants to fold. So if you say yes then he will fold to you so that he can save his money and also see the hand. When the erratic maniac asks, he is probably trying to get some soul read and I have no idea if he will level himself and make the call because I said yes thinking that since I said yes I think he will fold? see how convoluted these silly questions get?

The "ethical" question is, if you are bluffing and your opponents happens to be at the top of his range but isn't very confident, do you ever answer "yes I will show" in order to get a fold?

Discussed in great length in the Brick and Mortar forum. Probably belongs there.

I have a policy regarding this question. My answer to it is always the same

"Give the dealer five bucks after you muck, and I will show"

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I will ask this question for two reasons:

1) Sometimes people will give something away, if youve been quiet and you say, Will you show WHEN i fold you can sometimes pick something up there...

2) It makes me look a little fishier to some of the regs... I like that

If someone asks me, i rarely show my cards anyway, it gives information to the whole table... Ill just say 'probably not'.

I consider myself relatively adept at table talk though and enjoy leveling people..

Usually when I am asked this question I am ahead. I mean almost all of the time. So when I am asked this question by a fish I usually answer "Absolutely... not" That can sometimes induce a spew.

No.

If he wants to see your cards then he needs to go to showdown.