Question regarding standard deviation of S&Gs...

[pokerlaw]

It's been awhile since college statistics, so forgive me...

I notice that people are saying that the standard deviation for S&Gs is 1.6-1.8, or somewhere in that range. My question is, what is that number in relation to?

For example, if you told me the SD for height was 6 inches, I would want to know how tall the average person is that I could determine how a tall given person is in relation to their peers...(ex: say that avg height = 5 ft 6 and SD = 6 in. Using this, someone who is 6 FT tall is at the 84th percentile of height, right?)

thanks in advance.