When to Fold in Poker

Not all dealt pairs of cards are good hands, and sometimes it’s better to save your chips for the next round. Knowing what hands to fold in poker, and when the best time is to do so, is key to a successful strategy. Here we give a breakdown of the most important pre-flop and post-flop folding opportunities to know before playing on the best poker sites:

Mediocre Starting Hands to Fold Pre-Flop

The best opening hands don’t always turn out to be winning ones. Did you know that even top poker players fold most of their weak starting hands before betting starts? Knowing when to fold in the poker pre-flop can give you an advantage over your opponents.?

In Texas hold’em, for example, you should fold before betting if your hole cards total six or fewer, unless they’re a pair or an ace of the same suit. Also, if your hand contains a seven, eight, or nine and it’s not paired, a suited ace, or consecutively suited, you’re likely better off folding. Here’s why:

• With hands like 3-2 or 7-2, the odds of creating a winning combination are slim. Folding these hands immediately helps you avoid unnecessary losses.
• Success often comes down to playing the odds, and the odds aren’t in your favor with low-value hands. Folding them pre-flop is a logical choice based on poker math.
• Consistently folding weak hands pre-flop is a long-term strategy that can lead to more sustainable play, allowing you to stay in the game longer to see more favorable hands.

Strategic Folding After the Flop, Turn, and River

In poker, the flop often changes everything, as the game’s dynamic can shift drastically from pre-flop. For instance, if your pre-flop hand loses its appeal after the flop, folding can help you avoid escalating losses.?

Similarly, on the turn and river, if your playable poker hands are weak or if the board develops in a way that favors your opponents, folding can prevent major losses. Here are some more specific scenarios when you should consider folding:

• If the flop brings overcards against your pocket pair, it’s often safer to fold.
• If your hand doesn’t improve post-flop and others are likely to have stronger hands, folding might be your best bet to avoid losing chips.
• If you’re clinging to a marginal hand, like an underpair or a gutshot straight draw, and the turn card doesn’t boost your odds, folding might save you from bigger losses, especially if opponents show strength.
• If you have a middle pair or a hand of similar strength and the river provides opportunities for straight or flushes, it’s usually safer to fold rather than challenge a likely better hand.

In poker, deciding to fold hinges on assessing your opponents’ behavior, evaluating your hand’s strength, and understanding the pot odds. The basics of folding in online poker mirror those of live games, but there are several tips you should take into account:

• Read your opponent’s style: Start by analyzing your opponent and how they have played their previous hands. Do their actions show confidence or caution? This can be a big tell on whether you should fold or hold. Reading your opponents in online poker might be more challenging because there are no physical tells like in land-based casinos.
• Know your hand’s value: Take a hard look at your hand. Is it strong enough to compete, or is it time to back down? Remember, folding a weak hand early can be a smart move.
• Consider pot odds: Weigh the pot odds against the size of the bet. Online poker software typically calculates the pot odds automatically and saves you time. If the numbers don’t add up in your favor, folding could be the most logical step.
• Be prepared to act quickly: While live dealer poker games mimic the pace of real-life poker, regular online poker betting typically moves much faster than these live versions. Expect to make a decision in seconds and be prepared to fold if necessary. If you take too long, your hand will be folded automatically.
• Avoid overcommitting to a single hand: Don’t get too attached to any hand, no matter how good it looks at first. Remember that even a powerhouse like pocket aces can fail you; you’ll lose 10 to 15 times out of every 100 times dealt. It’s all about being flexible based on the flow of the game rather than just your hand.
• Be cautious when multitabling: Multitabling is common in online poker, but it comes with some serious risks. It’s easy to get into the habit of folding hands without giving them the full consideration they need when you’re playing many tables at once.