Fold
Giving up your hand and any claim to the pot. Folded cards go face down to the dealer; you cannot get them back. Folding when you are behind is where most of the money in poker is saved.
Frequently asked questions
What does fold mean in poker?
To give up the hand. You push your cards face down to the dealer, lose any interest in the pot, and lose whatever you have already put in — but owe nothing further.
How do you fold properly in a live game?
Slide the cards face down towards the dealer, keeping them low and together so nobody sees them. Saying 'fold' works too. Never expose them — showing a folded hand while others are still in the pot affects the play and can draw a penalty.
Can you take a fold back?
No. Once the cards touch the muck the hand is dead, even if you folded by mistake and even if you had the best hand. This is one of the few rules with essentially no discretion attached.