Muck
The pile of folded and discarded cards, and the act of folding or throwing away a hand without showing it. Once cards touch the muck they are dead, even if they were the winning hand — a rule that has decided many pots.
Frequently asked questions
What is the muck in poker?
The pile of discarded and folded cards in front of the dealer. 'To muck' means to put your cards there — either by folding during the hand, or by giving up at showdown without showing.
Can a mucked hand be retrieved?
No. Once cards touch the muck or become irretrievably mixed with it, the hand is dead — even if it was the winner and even if the fold was a mistake. This is one of the firmest rules in poker, because the alternative is unverifiable disputes.
Do you have to show at showdown?
Only if you want the pot. If you are called and you muck, you forfeit — so a player unsure whether they have won should table their cards rather than muck them. 'Cards speak' means the dealer reads the hand; it does not rescue cards already in the muck.