Continuation Bet – The Ultimate Weapon in Poker

The “Continuation Bet” (abbreviated as c-bet) has become increasingly popular at No-Limit Hold’em poker tables. The reason for its widespread use is due to its simplicity, ease of learning, and effectiveness, whether you’re a beginner or an experienced player.

It’s rare to see a poker session without someone using a c-bet, and if you don’t know how to employ this technique, you are putting yourself at a significant disadvantage compared to others at the table.

What is a Continuation Bet?

A Continuation Bet is simply a bet made on the flop when you were the pre-flop aggressor, regardless of whether your hand improved on the flop or not.

For example, if you raise pre-flop with K♦ Q♥ and the flop comes 4♠ 9♣ Q♦, even if you don’t make a pair or better, you can still win the pot with a continuation bet.

This move is often successful because in two out of three instances, your opponent won’t have made a pair on the flop.

This means that if your opponent folds every time they miss the flop, you’ll win more pots by betting than by checking. This is the fundamental logic behind a c-bet, though other factors also influence its success.

How to Make an Effective Continuation Bet

• A good c-bet size should be between 2/3 to 3/4 of the pot.
• Always consider what you know about your opponent.

How Much to Bet?

The size of a c-bet should generally range from 2/3 to 3/4 of the pot. For instance, if the pot is $10, then a $7 c-bet is an appropriate amount that will make your opponent think twice. Betting too small may entice your opponent to call since they are getting good pot odds, especially if they are drawing or holding a weak hand.

When making a c-bet, you want to project strength, as if you are holding top pair or better to intimidate your opponent into folding. Betting 2/3 to 3/4 of the pot is the best way to convey this. However, betting more than the pot (e.g., $14 into a $10 pot) is unnecessary, as a smaller bet (e.g., $8) would accomplish the same result.

Consider What You Know About Your Opponent

It’s crucial to take into account your opponent’s skill level when deciding to c-bet. At the lowest levels, you will find players willing to call your c-bet with all sorts of hands.

Avoid c-betting against “calling stations.”

If your opponent is unlikely to fold, the c-bet becomes unprofitable since you can’t force them to fold their mediocre hands. Moreover, c-bets become less effective against more experienced players, as they may recognize what you’re doing and either call or raise, knowing that you could be bluffing.

Thus, while a c-bet is highly effective against average players who will fold their mediocre hands, you should adjust and reduce the frequency of c-betting when facing stronger opponents.

Use the Flop to Decide Whether to C-bet or Not

The success of a continuation bet can also depend on the texture of the flop.

Factors That Influence a Continuation Bet

Number of Players in the Pot

This move will be more successful when facing one opponent rather than multiple opponents, simply because the more players involved, the higher the chance someone has connected with the board. The advice is to avoid c-betting against multiple opponents, though it can still work in certain situations.

The fewer players in the pot, the higher the success rate of a c-bet. It’s best to use a c-bet when you’re up against a single opponent.

Also, remember that the more often you c-bet, the less your opponents will respect the strength of your hand after a while. Pay attention to your c-bet frequency, or you’ll find yourself constantly facing check-raises from observant players.

Your Position in the Hand

Position increases the success rate of your c-bet when you are the last to act because you get to see your opponent’s action before deciding whether to c-bet. However, be cautious of smart players who anticipate your c-bet and are ready to check-raise you.

The c-bet is more effective when you have positional advantage over your opponent.

Check-raises are common, so gather as much information as possible on your opponent before deciding. Be ready to give up if you have nothing. Don’t feel compelled to call if you’re raised, as there are few scenarios where you’re pot-committed. Simply fold and accept that your c-bet didn’t work this time, saving your chips for the next opportunity when you have a stronger hand.

Evaluating Continuation Bets

C-betting is very common in Texas Hold’em poker today, so you should start learning and using it.

There’s no definitive rule for when a c-bet will be effective, but use the guidelines above to improve your success rate. The best way to learn about c-bets is by sitting down at the table and gradually implementing them. The beauty of the c-bet is that it doesn’t cost much to use, so your “tuition” won’t be too expensive.