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

When to Fold Before the Flop

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

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

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