What is Fold in Poker - Everything You Need to Know

Introduction

In poker, folding means giving up your hand and stopping the game for that round. A player decides to fold their hand when they have a weak hand. To fold their hand, they put their face-down cards into the muck and no longer have a chance to win the pot in that round. Sometimes, folding can be a wise strategy to preserve your chips for better opportunities in the upcoming rounds instead of wasting them on weak hands.

In this article, you will learn about the rules of folding, when to fold, and when to avoid folding your hand, as these factors determine your success in the game.

What is Fold in Poker?

The word ‘folding’ describes the action of a player who decides to forfeit the opportunity to win in the ongoing round. A fold happens when a player discards their hand, making it impossible for them to win the ongoing pot.

Objective

Folding is a decision based on one’s hand’s strength, other players’ actions and what is happening at the table. Therefore, this is commonly employed strategically by players when they feel their cards are weak against others seated next to them or as a means of cutting losses during particular hands.

Example of a "Fold"

Suppose you are playing Pot Limit Omaha or Texas Hold’em. You have a weak hand, and the player is seated before you bet massively, and you don’t think your hand will be able to win against a strong hand. So, you decide to fold rather than call the bet.

When to Fold

Unplayable Starting Hand

If a player receives a weak starting hand, such as a 7-2 offsuit in Texas Hold'em, it is usually best to fold. These hands have little potential for improvement and are unlikely to win against stronger hands.

Facing Aggressive Betting

When facing significant aggression from opponents, such as large bets or raises, it may be wise to fold unless the player has a strong hand or a good read on their opponent's bluffing.

Drawing to a Losing Hand

If a player is drawing to a hand that is unlikely to win even if completed, folding is often the correct decision. For example, chasing a flush or straight draw with only one card to come when the pot odds are unfavourable.

Overwhelmed by Community Cards

Sometimes, the community cards create a board that heavily favours opponents' hands or completes potential strong combinations (such as a possible flush or straight). In such cases, it's prudent to fold unless the player has a very strong hand themselves.

Out of Position with Weak Hand

Being out of position with a weak hand can put a player at a disadvantage, as they have less control over the betting action. In such situations, folding can prevent further losses and conserve chips for better opportunities.

Identifying Strong Opponent Hands

Skilled players often pay attention to their opponents' betting patterns and recognize when they likely hold a strong hand. If facing such opponents, it's often wise to fold weaker hands to avoid being outplayed.

Risk of Being Pot-Committed

Suppose a player has invested a significant portion of their chips into the pot but realizes their hand is weak or unlikely to win. In that case, they may still choose to fold to prevent further losses, even though they are pot-committed.

Tournament Bubble Situations

In tournament play, when approaching the bubble (the threshold where players are about to be eliminated without winning any prize), players often tighten their ranges and fold more frequently to avoid risking elimination.

The Process of Folding

Declaring the Fold

A player who chooses to fold announces their decision verbally by saying ‘fold’ or by making a clear gesture, such as pushing their cards forward face down.

Surrendering the Hand

Once a player folds, he quits the pot and is no longer involved in the current hand. Their cards are removed from play and placed in the muck, the designated area for discarded cards.

Observing the Action

After folding, players remain seated at the table and can observe the remaining action in the hand. This allows them to gather information about their opponents' playing styles and tendencies, which can be valuable in future hands.

Rules of Folding

• Before deciding whether to fold, you should evaluate the strength of your hand relative to the community cards (in games like Texas Hold'em and Omaha) or your opponent's likely holdings. Folding might be the best option if your hand is weak and unlikely to improve.
• In most poker variants, there are multiple rounds of betting. You have the option to fold at any point in the hand, including pre-flop (before any community cards are revealed), post-flop (after the first three community cards are dealt), on the turn (after the fourth community card), or on the river (after the fifth community card).
• When it is your turn to act, and you don't want to continue playing the hand, you can fold by simply discarding your cards face down into the muck (the pile of folded cards). By folding, you forfeit any chips you have contributed to the pot.
• Even after folding, you must pay attention to the rest of the hand. This helps you gather information about your opponents' playing styles, habits, and potential hand strengths, which can be valuable in future hands.
• Once you fold, you are out of the current hand and must wait until the next hand is dealt to participate again. You can use this time to observe other players and strategize for future hands.

Which hands should you always fold?

Certain hand ranges are not worth betting on, and you should consider folding them instead of risking your money. It is always favourable to stay patient and save your chips for playing strong hands in the upcoming rounds. If your hole cards have a 6 or lower, it is advisable to fold your hand except if you have a suited ace or a pair. The same thing is advisable to fold your moderate hand ranges, including a 7, 8 or 9, except if you have a pair, a suited ace, or cards that are consecutively suited, as these situations might improve your chances of making a strong hand like a straight or a flush. The focus is to play hands that can improve your hand post-flop and preserve your chips by folding weak and moderate-ranging hands.

When you shouldn’t fold

Here are some scenarios where holding onto your hand can be more advantageous than folding:

• The Preflop

There are some situations where you should consider not folding your hand during the pre-flop. It is advisable to play premium starting hands like pocket pairs, including AA, KK, QQ, JJ and middle-range pocket pairs, because of the higher probability of winning them. Moreover, hands like AK, AQ, or KQ are strong and can make straight or high pairs. While playing Texas Holdem or Omaha, always remember not to fold starting hands with a pair and double-suited cards. In a loose game where players play multiple hands, you can play small pocket pairs and suited connectors to seek a strong hand on the flop.  

• The Flop, Turn and River 

If you have a strong hand or a probability of improving your hand, you should avoid folding your hand during the flop, turn or river. For example, suppose you have A-Q and A-Q-8 appear on the flop, creating a two-pair, which is a strong hand to fold. In such situations, it is wise to stay in the game. When you have strong hands like a pair, two pairs, or three-of-a-kind, you must consider raising the bet. If your hand seems strong or there is a chance of getting better, you should consider playing the game instead of folding your hand.

• The Showdown

You should avoid folding your hand during the showdown before seeing your opponent’s hand, as it is essential for evaluating their strategy. Sometimes, you might assume your opponent’s hands are stronger than yours, but this might not be true. They might be bluffing. If you fold your hand before the showdown, you immediately lose the pot and the chance to assess your fellow player's hands.

Frequently Asked Questions

What does it mean to fold in poker?

To fold is to give up your hand and forfeit your stake in the current pot. A player makes this strategic move if he feels his hand is weak or unlikely to win or wishes to reduce his losses when placed in unfavourable situations.

Is there a penalty for folding in poker?

No, there is no penalty for giving up on a hand. Folding forms part of the normal course of play, and players are entitled to fold their hands at any point during the game.

How many times can you fold in poker?

When a player feels like playing with weak cards or the action becomes unprofitable, he can opt for a fold.

Which cards to fold in poker?

In general, folding would be appropriate when starting hands are weak. This means those with low chances of improving, such as low unsuited connectors or mismatched suits, might not be worth playing further. A decision about whether or not to follow suit should demonstrate a player’s understanding of their opponent’s skills and how unfavourable things have become at the table.

Conclusion

Knowing what ‘fold’ in Poker is and understanding when to fold is just as important as knowing when bets ought to occur or raises should be done. A player needs to think about all possible outcomes before choosing their moves instead of making an impulsive decision. In poker, what matters the most is saving maximum chips and avoiding mistakes your opponents can take advantage of.