Knowing when to fold in Poker is, perhaps, one of the most important factors of the game. Folding is to discard your hand, thereby forfeiting any interest in the hand or pot. It isn't specifically a betting action, and may also be referred to as "drop" or "Pass", although the latter term can also be used in reference to a check.

Folding can be done through verbal explanation, or by simply discarding your current hand into the pile of other discards known as the muck.

You may fold by surrendering your cards. It is important to remember that different games may have a different set of rules for how this is done. For example, in stud poker, you must turn your up cards face down in order to fold.

You may check by rapping the table or making a similar motion. Bets are made by placing chips in front of the player, instead of directly into the pot. This is known as "splashing" the pot and is a breach of etiquette because it prevents other players from verifying the bet amount.

There are different ways to fold, and these may vary according to country. For instance, when playing stud poker here in the United States, it is customary to signal a fold by turning all cards face down.

It is also a serious breach of etiquette to fold out of turn, that is, when it is not your turn to act, because this can make it difficult for the other players. For example, if there are three players and the first bets, the third player who folds out of turn would give valuable strategic information to the second player who is now ready to play his or her hand. This also gives the information to the person betting, who is currently in turn.

In some games, folding in turn when you are entitled to check, because there isn't a bet facing you, is, in actuality, an out of turn fold since it gives information the other players would have otherwise not been given.

If you fold out of turn in a stuff poker game, the player currently in turn may demands that his or her upcards remain exposed until he or she has completed the turn. So when do you decide to fold?

If you know your hand is bad, you probably want to fold. Some people are good at recognizing poker tells, and knowing when fellow players may be bluffing. If you often play with the same people, you may learn their mannerisms and how they react in certain situations. For instance, if a person takes on a certain facial expression, or uses a certain gesture every time he or she is bluffing, you will recognize this and know they are likely bluffing.

In this instance, you may decide to stay in the game and not fold. If, on the other hand, this player uses a specific gesture when he or she has a good hand, you may pick up on that and know if your hand isn't good you should fold.

There are also hands you should never play, and knowing those may help you decide when you should fold.

By: Bob Bastian