What is muck in poker?

In poker, "muck" refers to the pile of discarded cards that are no longer in play during a hand. Players who fold their hand or are out of the hand will typically place their cards face down in the muck. The dealer will then collect these cards and place them in a designated area.

Additionally, the term "muck" can also refer to a player's hand being declared dead when it is accidentally mixed with the muck pile. If a player's hand touches the muck in any way, it is considered dead and cannot win the pot, even if it was the winning hand.

It is important for players to be mindful of the muck and to protect their hand from getting mixed in accidentally. Additionally, dealers should also exercise caution when handling the muck to avoid any disputes or confusion during the game.