Fold Poker
Hands like 4-5, 6-7 and 3-4 are hands to fold in poker. I make a distinction from suited as they play much better. The offsuit low connectors are unlikely to help your ROI. You may have seen some professionals call raises on High Stakes Poker with these hands. This poker push/fold chart assumes you only are pushing or folding. Sometimes you can choose to open some hands instead of strictly using push fold strategy. Still, shoving let’s you maximize fold equity and gives you a chance to increase your stack without even seeing the flop.
- Poker Fold Chart
- Fold Poker Definition
- Fold Poker
- Poker Fold Equity Calculator
- Fold Poker Gif
- Fold Poker Meaning
- Gold Poker Cards
Granted, folding might not be the most spectacular play in a poker player's toolbox, but it sure is a very important aspect of poker. If you recognize the situations in which folding would be the most correct play, then you can save yourself a tremendous amount of money in the long run (or even every session). Especially in no-limit hold'em games not folding when holding a second best hand can be very expensive. It is therefore useful to take a closer look at folding and find out when to fold in poker (if you are looking for more information about which hands to fold pre-flop I would like to recommend you to also read the Texas hold'em starting hand selection guide).
When to fold in poker?
Knowing when to fold in poker is about understanding expected value (EV). Over the long term, if calling or raising loses more money than folding does, then the correct play is to muck your hand. As you study and learn more and more about ranges you will know that making correct folds does not take clairvoyance. Padded Texas Hold'em Folding Poker Table Top w/ Cup Holders - Red Suited Speed Felt. $299.95 $ 119.95. Texas Hold'em Folding Table Top w/ Cup Holders - Blue. Fast Fold poker is something that could never work in live poker but it’s one of the most popular ways to play online. Because there's no waiting for multi-tablers timing out, or tanking players to make up their minds. Basically if you hate downtime in online poker, then Fast Fold is for you.
There are a number of situations in which folding would be correct:
You are certain that you hold the worst hand and are also facing a bet.
You don't have enough chance of improving to the best hand compared to the pot odds you get.
You're unsure whether you're ahead or behind, but you'd have to call a big bet now or maybe later in the hand to find out.
You are getting odds to call but you aren't closing the action and it is very likely that someone behind you will make it too expensive to continue.
Situations in which folding would be incorrect
Just like there are situations in which folding would be the best play there are also situations in which folding wouldn't be so okay:
You can check instead :-).
You know you have the best hand (obviously).
You know you probably have the worst hand but you are getting the correct odds to call with your draw anyway.
You know you are behind, but you are also pretty sure that a bluff will win you the pot.
Also: don't think about folding pocket kings pre-flop at the lower stakes unless your opponent goes all-in and shows you pocket aces.
Key aspects to consider for recognizing a fold
As you can see from the examples of folding and non-folding situations above there are some aspects besides your cards that are very important to consider in order to recognize a fold. These are:
- Your odds
- The action behind you or later in the hand
There's also the option of bluffing instead of folding when you know you're beat, but that goes beyond the scope of this article. At the lower stakes folding is often the better play anyway as there are too many loose calling stations anxiously waiting to call down your bluff.
Folding because of bad odds
If you are on a draw you should only call bets when you get the right pot odds and/or implied odds, as explained in more detail in the pot odds guide. As is mentioned in this guide it is very important to not overestimate your number of outs when deciding to draw or not (i.e., don't draw to gutshot straights on a two card flush and paired flop).
Folding when you don't get the right odds to call doesn't necessarily apply only to when you are drawing though. Because you can't put your opponent on just one hand, you often also can't say you are always ahead or always behind in a certain situation. If you put your opponent on a range of most likely holdings then you will often find that you are ahead of a part of that range and behind of the other possible holdings: you can make an estimation of how likely you are to be ahead and by comparing this chance with your pot odds you can either justify a call or make a good fold.
Example:| Hole cards | Board |
Say you called a raise from middle position pre-flop and called both a flop and a turn bet (seems very reasonable with top pair and second pair with an added flush- and gutshot straightdraw on the turn). Now your opponent bets again on the river: a pot sized bet giving you pot odds of 33% or 2:1. Say you think this opponent might have you beat with a pair of kings or aces, a hand like AQ, KQ or QJ and that you know he also likes to bluff three streets ('triple barreling') with hands like AJ, AK and sometimes a lower pair like 33.
Now, if you count all the possible combinations of these hands and calculate the fraction of hands you win from with your pair of tens, then you'll find that you have a chance of about 44% to win the pot based on the hand range mentioned. This means you should call. (You could also use PokerStove for this sort of 'equity calculation' instead. Oh, and now we're between brackets anyway, don't try to do these calculations while playing. Just practice them away from the table to get a rough idea or feel for your odds when playing.)
If, on the other hand, you don't think your opponent could have lower pocket pairs and AJ in his hand then you only have a 30% chance of winning. This means you should fold, because you aren't getting the right pot odds.
At the lower stakes you will encounter a lot of passive players who would not be attempting to bluff this river. In that case it would be a clear fold too.Note that you can only very rarely put your opponent on an exact hand. Therefore folding very strong hands like bottom set (three-of-a-kind) on the flop or pocket kings pre-flop will almost never be correct, certainly not at the lower stakes. In order for this to be correct you have to put your opponent on exactly a higher set or, in the other example, pocket aces. In reality the range of possible hands your opponent could hold will almost always be wider and that would give you the right odds to just go ahead and 'ship it' with such strong holdings.
Folding because of the expected action
This one is also important for pre-flop starting hand selection. The reason that you should be very reluctant to play all kinds of drawing hands (with which you would like to see a cheap flop) from early position is that there are still quite a number of players to act behind you who can make it more expensive than you would like to by raising.
This principle also applies after the flop. Sometimes you will find yourself in a situation where you have a relatively weak made hand and are facing a bet with one or more opponents left to act behind you. Even if you think that you are ahead of the player who bet out, you have to consider the fact that you might still be behind to one of the other players. This would be a sound reason to just fold your marginal hand.
Besides the possible action the players left to act behind you might give, you also have to consider the possibility that a player will keep betting on future streets. If you check/call the flop with a medium strength hand and check the turn again then do you really want to call another bet? If not, then maybe it wouldn't have been a bad idea to fold on the flop in the first place.
Notice how your position plays a very important role in deciding whether to fold or not. If you are out of position then you have less control over how the hand plays out after you have made your decision, which should favor a fold in very marginal situations.
Folding in poker - conclusion
Hopefully this folding guide has helped you to better recognize folding situations or maybe even calling situations where you would have otherwise folded. Whether you actually fold your hand when you recognize that doing so would be the best action or whether you just keep calling and pushing with it instead might be dependent on the amount of bad beats you already had to suffer at that point. That's where discipline becomes an important factor too.
Poker Fold Chart
Remember that in micro stakes online poker games it isn't very difficult to pick the spots where you have a big edge to build big pots. That is where your value, your profit comes from. If you find yourself in a situation with a marginal hand and the pot is getting bigger than your hand warrants, then just fold. Don't become a calling station with your draws; don't find yourself calling your stack away with a weak middle pair; just fold. After all, a dollar saved is still a dollar earned. And those dollars can and will really add up when playing thousands of hands every month!
Further reading at First Time Poker Player:
Further reading across the internet:
- OnlinePoker.net - Knowing when to fold your poker hand
Kenny Rogers tells us you need to “know when to fold ’em” and “know when to hold ’em”. Lady Gaga sang about perfecting the “poker face”.
But how do you know when you have a poker hand worth betting on? Or when you should cut your losses and fold? This question plagues gambling newbies and professionals alike.
And while there’s no universal answer, this article will offer some tips and tricks on when to fold your hand when to ante-up.
Your Invitation to the Best Online Pokies in Australia
Like a punt on the slot machines?
Our top rated slots for October 2019 are the smash-hit online pokie sites: Ruby Fortune and Jackpot City Casino.
These sites include some impressive matched bonuses – up to $750 and $1600 respectively! With the potential for some seriously big wins, here’s your chance to get a piece of the action:
Two Types of Poker Players
When it comes to folding your poker hand, there are usually two types of players. Those who fold too often and those who don’t fold enough.
The former loses out on most opportunities to win and makes themselves a target. When you fold too often, other players dub you a rookie. You come off as inexperienced and unsure of yourself.
The latter blindly bets all of their earnings and will quickly end up broke and out of the game. Other players at the table view you as an eager, overzealous fool.
To be successful at the poker table, you need to strike a balance between these two types of players. One of the best poker tactics is to keep your opponents guessing.
Even if you have your own system when it comes to folding or holding, don’t make it obvious to others. The less they know about your technique, the better.
Now let’s take a look at how to create that technique and make it work in your favour.
Know the Game
Before sitting down at the poker table, you should know the rules of the game. There are several types of poker including:
- 3 card
- 7-Card Stud
- Texas Hold ‘Em
- 5-Card Draw
Each game has its own set of rules, but the basic principles are the same. You should know the different types of winning hands and which hands beat others.
There’s nothing worse than going “all in” on a hand you think trumps all, only to learn you’ve been beat at your own game.
The Power of the ‘Check’
If you’re unsure about whether or not to bet, don’t. You can ‘check’ to the next player at the table.
When you check, you’re skipping your turn. The universal sign for checking is tapping the table.
The next player will now bet. At this point, you can either match their bet (call), raise, or fold. Checking is a good technique for buying yourself some time and sizing up your competition.
Players with anything better than a pair will often call the bet or raise. Unless they’re bluffing.
Bluffing involves raising the bet to intimidate other players into folding a good hand even if they themselves have nothing. Some professional poker players have won thousands using bluffing techniques alone.
After a win, players aren’t required to show their cards. This means you’ll never know if the winner had a good poker hand or if you were duped.
Trust Your Instincts
Winning in poker is 50% luck and 50% skill. Knowing when to fold your poker hand has a lot to do with following your instincts. And these instincts will change with every game you play.
There are good and bad days in the world of poker. If you’re on a good streak and every hand you’re dealt is a winner, keep going. Bet a little more and take a few risks.
But if you’re having a bad run and are losing every hand, it may be time to call it quits. Trust your instincts with each hand you’re dealt.
Are you confident your two-pairs will beat the competition? Is the player across the table bluffing?
Winning at poker and knowing when to fold have a lot to do with the other players at the table, which is why sizing them up is crucial.
Pay Attention to Other Players
Have you ever watched professional poker players on television? They wear sunglasses, hats, and hoods to hide their eyes and faces. And no, it’s not about making a fashion statement.
Body language is another important component of poker. Players offer countless nonverbal signs about the hand their dealt. A furrowed brow, eye twitch, or pursed lips may all be signs that they have a great hand or garbage.
Glasses, hats, and other distractions hide these cues. But it doesn’t mean you can’t still get a feel for your opponents.
Over-confident players tend to bet on every hand they’re dealt. They bluff often and thrive on scaring other players into folding. If you have a good hand, don’t let these types of players intimidate you.
Then, there are timid players. The ones that are clearly unsure of themselves. They may shift in their seat, play with their chips or cards, and hesitate before betting.
If you’re working on your own bluffing game, going toe-to-toe with a nervous player is great practice. Trying bluffing with a high pair or two low pairs. But don’t lose your shirt over it. Make reserved bets that if you lose, won’t put you completely out of the game.
Do the Math
You don’t need to be a mathematical genius to know when the odds are for or against you. There are times when it’s okay to take a risk and others when you should fold your poker hand and call it a day.
The best way to decide is by examing your money. Do a quick count of how much money you have. Now, assess the pot and how large the bets are. Can you afford to stay in?
Fold Poker Definition
If your money pile is getting low, fold hands that you’re not confident in. Only place bets on hands where you’re more than 50% sure you’ll win. There’s no shame in folding and cashing out your winnings.
Weigh Your Options
Before you fold your poker hand, you need to weigh your options. Folding means you’re automatically out of the game. Everything you put into the pot now belongs to the winner.
Fold Poker
Are you prepared to lose everything you’ve bet? If so, fold. But if you feel there’s a chance you might win or you have a fairly decent hand, it’s probably worth the risk to stay in the game.
Plus, if you fold too soon, you’re making it too easy for your opponents to win. Depending on the type of poker you’re playing, wait until at least a few more cards are dealt before throwing in the towel.
This forces other players to (literally) put their money where their mouth is and fight for the win.
Know the Signs of a Good Poker Hand
Seasoned poker players are not only experts at the game of cards, but they’re also well-versed in reading the signs of other players. And you should be too.
When playing Texas Hold ‘Em, each player is dealt two cards to start (hole or pocket cards) and then asked to bet. If a player starts off with a high bet, they likely have a pair, two suited cards, or two high-value cards. Remember this.
Next, the dealer will then lay three community cards face-up on the table (the flop). All players use these three cards along with their two pocket cards to create the best five-card hand.
Poker Fold Equity Calculator
If the same player who bet big on their first two cards, ups their bet this time, they probably have a decent hand. Two more cards will be dealt face-up (the river and the turn). If at this point you have nothing, you should fold.
Although these signs aren’t a guarantee that your opponents have a winning hand, you should still pay close attention to their betting patterns. It’s unlikely that someone will bet a large amount on their pocket cards unless they’re confident they’ll win.
Bluffing in Texas Hold ‘Em comes into play following the flop, so pay close attention to the bets made before and after.
Tips from the Experts
Who better to teach you about when to fold your poker hand and when to bet it all than the experts? Here are a few, basic tips when it comes to folding and holding in poker.
Fold Poker Gif
- Never play poker drunk (your judgment is skewed and you may inadvertently bet your home or first born child)
- Don’t play every single hand (remember, it’s okay to fold)
- Never count your poker chips at the table
- Avoid high-limit games (unless you’re a professional)
- Don’t stay in the hand just because you’ve already bet (staying in out of fear of losing what you’ve already bet could result in losing even more)
With a little time and experience, you’ll find your own poker style and tips that work for you.
Time to Get in the Game
Whether you like poker or slot machines, you have to be in it to win it. And knowing when to fold your poker hand helps you stay in the game longer and keep your shirt.
Fold Poker Meaning
Looking for new, fun ways to gamble? Learn more about sports betting here or try your hand at BINGO! But whatever game you choose, remember to play smart and have fun.