One could argue that knowing when to fold when playing poker is one of the most important skills. Because you could be having a great session, but one bad call could ruin everything. And there are some ways to master the art of folding, but it usually comes down to knowing when you’re most likely beat.
There are reads in both live and online poker that are tell tale signs you should probably just give your hand up. Which is exactly what we are going to go into in this article. If you want to improve your game in the long term you should probably continue reading.
How Often to Fold Before Flop?
In simple terms, folding refers to the act of giving up your hand and leaving the pot. You forfeit your chance to win the hand when you fold, but you are not required to match the present stake. It’s critical to know when to fold, as folding when circumstances are at their worst will ultimately save you a significant sum of money.
Knowing precisely how often you should perform this act in a poker game can be quite challenging, as each case is always different. In order to eventually make your final decision on whether to fold or not, there are various factors that you should take into consideration, and these include the bet size, your competitor’s range, the strength of your hand, and lots more.
Now, the majority of the cards that you are dealt should really be folded in a scenario where you are playing hands before the flop. In most cases, between 40 and 50 percent of the hands should be folded. In addition, as you go farther away from the button, it is advisable that you fold a higher hand value. In reality, you are required to just raise about 15 percent of your hands from under the gun in a 9-handed game, which means that the remaining percentage of the cards dealt will be folded.
Considering you are at a later seat, such as the cut-off, it is advisable that you fold about 65 percent of the cards dealt, and that should only happen if the action folds to you. However, in situations where another player raised before you did, ensure you fold a higher percentage of your hands.
For individuals who consider themselves to be great players, they must be aware of their ranges for a raise for each seat at the poker table. It’s important for you to understand the cards that you’re folding as well as those that you’re raising when the action comes to you. This gives you an easy place to begin when considering post flop ranges and also accelerates the game, enabling you to play more hands.
How Often to Fold After Flop?
Folding is considered a major part of the various strategies of the poker game. It is as crucial as understanding when to raise or bet. When players are in the process of learning poker game play and major techniques to use, folding is most often the last thing to consider. Lots of gamblers just want to have in-depth knowledge of the most aggressive techniques of the game, and this is not supposed to be so. To be a great poker player, you must have a good understanding of the folding technique.
Pot odds are among the most popular methods for figuring out when to fold. You may determine how much equity your hand has to have over the other participant in order to make a winning call by using pot odds. You call if your hand is lucrative to call, and you fold otherwise. It seems simple, doesn’t it? But keep in mind that you’ll need to defend enough against post-flop bets if you’re up against skilled players in order to prevent exploitation.
In regard to folding after a flop, getting to know the exact moment to flop can be quite challenging as there are no established ranges for players to use as a guide. In this case, you are required to take into consideration the pot odds, the strength of your hand, and your competitor’s range so as to know if the best choice to make is a fold.
Individuals who prefer to go with a subtle technique might find it more convenient to figure out when to fold. One such technique is the Minimum Defense Frequency, a technique in which players get to figure out the amount of their range they should play on with, considering the other participant’s wager.
How Often to 3 Bet Before Flop?
A 3-bet refers to the initial re-raise that is performed by a gambler at the poker table before the flop. When a raise is made, you can decide to fold, call, or even re-raise. Due to the fact that re-raising is the third action that can be taken at the poker table, it is then referred to as a 3-bet.
In poker, three-betting is an effective tactic, but employ it sparingly as it might diminish the value of a strong hand. A winning 3-bet should induce a drawing hand with low odds to call, compel a stronger hand to fold, or compel a less powerful hand to call. There are two major types of 3-bets: the light 3-bet and the value 3-bet.
Firstly, a light 3-bet is a situation whereby a player 3-bets a hand without putting into consideration its value but rather due to his ability to get the other participant to fold. Even with a light 3-bet, your hand may not be a straight bluff. It can be useful at times, and if you’re employing a polarized 3-betting range, it most likely will be. While the value 3-bet is a bet type made based on the idea that you have a better hand compared to your competitor, upon getting called, you have the chance to play a larger pot with your higher hand, but the main goal of the 3-bet is still to force your opponent to fold because doing so ensures that you win.
When it comes to 3-betting before the flop, there are certain things that must be considered, and these include the player’s position. Trying out this technique from a late position, which includes the button or cutoff, is known to be more reliable, and it comes with a wider hand range. Therefore, fully understanding your opponent is very important when you want to 3-bet.
Another factor that you must look out for is the way your opponent responds to a 3-bet. For a chance to win the cash that’s up for grabs, you should 3-bet before flop more frequently if the punter is the type who tends to assume a powerful hand and won’t bother to continue against a 3-bet.
Percentage of Hands to Fold Preflop
A lot of gamblers are not sure of the percentage of hands to which they should fold preflop, and this can affect their game play significantly. It tends to vary depending on various factors, such as the opponent, position, and many more. However, for a player in an early position, a percentage range of between 15% and 20% is recommended. This percentage offers a broad guideline, but skilled players continue to be flexible, modifying their preflop folding strategy according to the particulars of each hand.
Percentage of Hands to Fold Postflop
When compared to pre-flop, the decision-making behind post flop is a lot more dynamic. As a result of this, players would need to fold between 30% and 40% of their hands. However, depending on the game play, this can change considerably. A player may fold more often if they completely miss the flop or come up against an opponent’s powerful bet. In contrast, the folding percentage falls if a player has a strong hand or favorable draws.
Top 3 Online Poker Sites
- Ignition Poker – Read Review
- Bovada Poker – Read Review
- BetOnline Poker – Read Review
With all that has been discussed above, are you ready to try your luck at some of the best online poker sites in the iGaming industry and take your poker experience to a whole different level? Then you are in the right place, as we have done our own research on the various sites available to players and put together the top 3 platforms for you to consider.
Some of the factors we looked into before making our decision were the variety of tournaments played at each site, the rakeback structure, the software used, and many more. Let’s get right into it!
1. Ignition Poker
Our first choice for players all over the world is Ignition. This gambling site has been in the iGaming industry for more than 6 years and provides players with the best poker experience. For beginners who are new to the game and want to have a better knowledge of how to play poker, then anonymous table gaming is there to cater to their needs. There are also a series of poker variants for you to try out when you decide to leave the poker room for a while.
One of the interesting things about this site is that no matter the time you sign in to gamble, you can be sure to meet lots of other players waiting to join you. Now, your mind can be at rest, so you don’t have to worry about getting a poker table to play at.
Furthermore, Ignition Poker has made various tournaments available to gamblers, and these include the monthly milly. Aside from this, the bonuses offered are one of a kind, as they cater to both new and existing players. Individuals who deposit using cryptocurrency get to claim up to $3000 in bonus rewards. Lastly, the website has its own anti-HUD program and forbids the use of dubious third-party monitoring software. This helps to ensure a reliable playing environment where everyone is free to indulge in their passion for poker. You can get started on Ignition Poker here.
Pros
- Up to $3000 welcome bonus
- Availability of cryptocurrency as a payment method
- Weekly tournaments
Cons
- Not enough banking methods
2. Bovada Poker
Established in 2011, Bovada has been a name to reckon with in the iGaming industry and has proven to be the go-to site for poker players. This webpage makes use of a unique user interface that is pleasing to the eye when gambling. Finding your way around the site is relatively simple, and this is thanks to the search menu made available.
Since one of the major factors players look out for in casino sites is the bonuses and promotional rewards, Bovada has done justice to that. They offer new users a 100% welcome bonus of up to $500. There is also a special offer for crypto users, as they can claim up to $3,750 on their first three bitcoin deposits. With this, they can be certain to have a wonderful and crypto-friendly gambling site to wager at.
Similar to several other websites, Bovada strives to provide anonymous gambling to balance the gambling table in poker. Because of this, experts find it difficult to employ any form of analytical method that could enable them to identify easy targets or target inexperienced consumers. You can get started on Bovada Poker here.
Pros
- Various poker tournaments are available.
- Amazing welcome bonus offers
- On-site props builder
Cons
- Late betting lines
3. BetOnline Poker
BetOnline is another reputable gambling platform that has been in the gaming sector for more than 19 years. Since its establishment, BetOnline has grown rapidly and earned itself a spot as one of the best poker sites to visit. If you eventually decide to wager on this platform, you can be sure to enjoy a pleasant user interface, lots of bonuses, and many more benefits. At BetOnline Poker, you will find any type of player you might be looking for, ranging from experts to beginners. Some of the many games available include Omaha, Stud, and No-Limit Hold’em.
The promotional offers available at BetOnline are top-notch. New users get to receive a 100% bonus on their first deposit of up to $1000. BetOnline puts in a lot of effort every week to provide a wide range of competitive events that will catch your attention and get you hooked in no time, making your experience worth twice as much.
To provide punters with the opportunity to win more money, they host an annual poker tournament known as the Championship Online Poker Series. At this event, there are enough cash prizes to be won. One further thing that makes BetOnline a great option is its excellent user interface. You should expect a smooth surfing experience with few, if any, loading problems or errors in the operation. You can get started on BetOnline Poker here.
Pros
- Great video poker variety
- Lots of cryptocurrencies are accepted.
- Great perks for sports bettors
Cons
- High deposit limit for bonuses
Benefits to Knowing When to Fold
Earlier in this article, we discussed what folding means in poker and how often to fold in certain situations. Now it is important to be conversant with some of the benefits associated with knowing when to fold. Through a proper understanding of when to fold and when not to, you are able to improve your overall chance of winning at the table.
Although it might not be as simple as it seems, there are situations where you might be required to fold a nice hand in an attempt to create a long-term winning possibility. Highlighted below are three major benefits of knowing when to fold.
- You Get to Manage Your Resources
A crucial component of the whole decision-making process is the management of resources, and this involves having knowledge of when to give up in an attempt to protect either your funds or energy. Regarding poker games, knowing when to fold gives you the chance to not waste valuable resources on a nonprofitable game.
In a situation where the chances of you winning a hand are very low, folding protects your cash from further depletion and eventually burning all your money. This wise decision makes it possible to reroute funds to more viable games, raising the possibility of a profitable result.
- You Are Able to Outsmart Other Participants
Upon realizing the fact that you need to fold when playing poker, you are able to outsmart other participants at the table, thereby giving you an edge. For instance, once you notice a player wagering aggressively and in a weird manner, it shows that they have a very strong hand, and this puts you at a disadvantage with the better option of folding. By knowing when the right time to fold is, you are able to outsmart your opponent and reduce your loss.
- Provides You with Psychological Advantage
While playing poker, having the skill to know when to fold does not only serve as a survival technique but also provides you with a psychological advantage. By knowing when to fold, you are able to precisely have a better look at the poker game to know or predict your opponent’s next move. This benefit comes from the doubt surrounding a punter who is precise with when to fold. Also, it can help disrupt your opponents’ tricks or techniques, as they would be unable to predict a player who folds judiciously.
Final Thoughts
In conclusion, to protect your funds and increase your total earnings over time, it’s imperative that you have an in-depth understanding of when and how to fold in a poker game. Nevertheless, it’s crucial to think out every scenario in any particular circumstance. As we’ve already covered in this article, folding might not always be a reasonable option. On the other hand, alternative solutions might exist based on the type of opponent you are facing.
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