Fold is a decision made by a player to discard their hand and forfeit any further involvement in the current hand. When a player folds, they voluntarily give up the opportunity to win the pot and cease to invest additional chips in that particular hand. Folding is a strategic move used when a player believes their hand is not strong enough to compete, or they want to minimize losses in a situation where winning seems unlikely. It's a fundamental aspect of poker strategy, allowing players to conserve chips for more favorable opportunities while avoiding unnecessary risks.
This is a crucial aspect that should not be ignored. Novice players often avoid folding and involve themselves in numerous hands, increasing the risk of losing the hands in which they participate.