If you think about it, every player's action in poker can be reduced to two questions:

That's it. In draw poker there might also be a decision about how many cards to draw, but apart from that, poker players have only the two decisions of "play-or-fold" and "if play, how much?" In a very real sense, poker IS betting.

Do I Bet (play)?

Curiously, the first decision - to play or fold -- is the one that most influences the health of the bankroll in the long run. It arises every time a player gets a turn. "Do I fold, or do I keep playing (that is, betting?) It comes up for the first time in the initial betting round. In living room games with small stakes, people usually skip this decision. They play just about every hand. This is not a good idea in Las Vegas. If the hand is not worth a risk, then fold.

Perhaps the hand seemed worth playing, and caused you to opt for taking part in the opening betting round. Then, if and when that hand fails to develop, or begins to look puny in the face of the competition, bail. No explanation is required (or desired). Just fold.

Most experts feel that amateurs play too many poker hands. While losing an ante is a minus for the bankroll, insisting on playing a losing hand for one or two bets is a much bigger minus, potentially disastrous at times, and always unnecessary.

Folding is indicated by sliding the cards face down under the chips (if there is an ante or you have made a blind bet; otherwise just slide them face down in the betting circle).

Whether to play or fold a given hand depends on the type of poker being played. This subject is covered in the treatments of the respective games.

How Much Do I Bet?

The second question occupies a great deal of the time and space that authors devote to Poker. The next few pages cover this topic in detail.