Knowing when to fold in poker is arguably the most critical skill in the game. The world’s best players know 😆 this, and fold often.

When to Fold Before the Flop

In Texas Hold’em, the best poker players fold 75 percent or more 😆 of all starting hands before the betting even begins. A fundamentally sound preflop strategy sets you up for success in 😆 all subsequent betting rounds.

Even the loosest preflop players (if they’re winning players) fold before the flop around 70 percent of 😆 the time. To figure out when to fold before the flop, you need to establish a set of hand ranges 😆 that you’re willing to play from each position at the poker table.

Hand range charts (like the Upswing Poker free preflop 😆 charts) represent the best way to establish a solid preflop strategy. Preflop hand range charts dictate what hands to open 😆 raise with from each position, as well as which hands to call or raise with against a player who has 😆 bet before you get to act.