Poker – When to Fold ‘em

Poker is all about risk and reward but good players know when the risks outweigh the rewards and when it’s time to cut their losses and fold. Thus, mastering when to fold is as important as any other skill a poker player needs to win.

Although the least spectacular play, folding will save you money when done at the correct times. Smart players are players who fold when the risks are too high and go on to bet intelligently when the risks are acceptable.

There are a few basic situations where you will want to consider folding:

1. You are sure you are holding the worst hand.
2. The chance of improving your hand is very low, compared to the pot odds.
3. You are unsure where you stand with your hand, but a big call would be necessary to remain in the game. Folding would be playing it safe.
4. You currently have good odds, but it is highly likely that someone later will make it too expensive to continue when betting returns to you.

It might be obvious, but there are basic situations where folding is not a good idea:

1. If you have the choice to check or fold, check.
2. You know your hand is the best.
3. You know you probably have the worst hand but you are getting good odds to improve.
4. If you are behind, but are pretty sure you can bluff your opponents.

The choice about whether to fold or not usually boils down to pot odds, that is, the odds of you winning the pot with your current cards and the cards showing. Pocket aces before the flop, for instance, are great odds until the river shows your opponent has a potential for a three of a kind or straight. The choice then, might be to try and bluff instead of fold. Of course, your opponent is doing the same analysis and is facing the same decisions. Ultimately the choice is yours. Faced with poor odds, folding shouldn’t be considered a cowardly option, but a smart one.