When Can You Fold In Poker
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”.
2 days ago We are barely into 2021, but Doug Polk made what could easily be the best fold of the year against Phil Hellmuth on the most recent episode of High Stakes Poker. Feb 11, 2019 If you fold your hand in poker, you lay down your cards and stop playing the hand. A fold can happen at any point in the play when it is your turn to act. Folding in poker means you are out for that hand. You no longer will have any claim on the pot and you won't be required to put more money into the pot for that hand. Welcome to the poker push or fold calculator.This calculator is designed for full ring tournament poker players. Under 20 big blinds, depending on your hand, your position at the table, the ante percentage of big blind and your number of big blinds, the calculator tells you whether it is better to push or fold your hand to get nash equilibrium (as long as no one has raised before you). If you instead decide to check, you are deferring your betting rights for the time being. Another player may now bet, in which case you may fold your hand, call the bet or raise (the action of first checking and then raising when an opponent bets is known as a check-raise). If no-one bets on that round then the next card is dealt and again the first player has a choice whether to bet or check. 2 days ago Doug Polk wows poker world with fold against Phil Hellmuth By Jim Barnes / Las Vegas Review-Journal. March 5, 2021 - 5:18 pm Doug Polk competes in.
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.
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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:
When Can You Fold In Poker Dice Game
- 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?
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.
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.
When Can You Fold In Poker
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.
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.
- 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.
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.
We are barely into 2021, but Doug Polk made what could easily be the best fold of the year against Phil Hellmuth on the most recent episode of High Stakes Poker on PokerGO.
The no-limit hold’em game was seven-handed with blinds of $200-$400 and Phil Hellmuth raised to $1,100 from the hijack with Q10. James Bord called on the button with 22 and Doug Polk defended his big blind with 107.
The flop was J98 and action checked to Bord, who bet $2,000. Polk check-raised to 7,000 and Hellmuth moved all in for $97,200. Bord quickly folded and Polk went into the tank for several minutes. He eventually began talking.
Fold Frequency Poker
“This is insane,” said Polk. “It’s just such a monster raise. Phil, what do you got over there? I’m considering making a very big laydown. A very, very big laydown.”
Hellmuth remained silent for some time before finally answering Polk.
“I could easily have…”
“What could you easily have?” said Polk. “You just bet a lot into very little.”
“I could have a set,” said Hellmuth.
“Could you have a set?” asked Polk. “I don’t think you’d have a set here.”
“I could have the blockers,” said Hellmuth. “Two 10’s.”
“I think I’m either dead… and I think I’m dead a lot, given this,” said Polk. “Or you just have a ton of equity against me.”
Polk eventually showed his hand and then tossed it into the muck. Hellmuth mucked his hand, despite others at the table pleading with him to show so they could settle side bets at the table.
Now that the hole cards are public knowledge, both Polk and Hellmuth took to social media to address the hand. Polk called the laydown his “favorite fold” in his poker career.
Imagine making like 15 bb here pic.twitter.com/uRiI5XKhWG
— Doug Polk (@DougPolkVids) March 4, 2021
Hellmuth gave Polk props as well, saying that everyone else would’ve lost an extra $90,000.
Sigh…I see why you say that this was the best fold/FAV fold of your career: GREAT fold @DougPolkVids!! Saved $90,000, that everyone else would have lost, everyone else!! That’s $90,000 that is NOT in my bank account. Great play #DougPolkNiceLifehttps://t.co/YDHBCcMOnQ
— phil_hellmuth (@phil_hellmuth) March 4, 2021
The show returned for an eighth season last December with PokerGO’s reboot of the cash game series. Gabe Kaplan and AJ Benza, who hosted most of the first seven seasons on Game Show Network, were brought back as commentators for this season. All of the action is being filmed at the PokerGO’s studio at the Aria on the Las Vegas Strip.
The fold by Polk was nearly identical to one made by another high-stakes cash game phenom, Garrett Adelstein, in October 2019 on Live At The Bike! Adelstein turned the second nuts with 107 when a high-stakes regular known as Andy turned the nuts with Q10.
Adelstein ended up check-folding the river to a bet of $14,500.
You can watch Polk’s monster fold in the clip below: