A continuation bet, often known simply as a c-bet, is where you follow up a pre-flop raise with the first bet on the flop. It doesn’t matter whether you hit or miss the flop, but as long as you make a bet before and after it, this is regarded as a c-bet. You can also make a continuation bet on the turn and the river. It’s simply a bet where you follow the last aggressive action made on the previous street.
Poker has many different types of bets, and c-bets are some of the most common. However, you need to know how and when to use this bet if you want to play with an optimal poker strategy. As with anything, there are right and wrong ways to use this bet, and you should also understand why this bet is made.
Why Make a Continuation Bet?
The main point behind the continuation bet in poker is to take advantage of the initiative and make a move before anyone else. With a pre-flop bet, you have indicated to the table that you have a strong hand. Raising again post-flop will help convince your opponents that you’re holding a strong range, and many will fold. This works even if you miss the flop and don’t have anything worth raising.
Continuation bets are the best way to build the pot if you have a strong hand. Players with decent hands will often still call your raise, and some may even re-raise. As always, you want to ensure you’re building the pot whenever you have a strong hand, as this is how you make the most of your opportunities when they come up.
Sometimes, it may be smarter to make a c-bet on the turn. This is because c-betting has become so common that many players will now call you on your bluff. However, it’s much riskier for them to do this if there’s just the river remaining. This is best done if you don’t have a strong hand or you’re waiting for a specific draw.
Risks of Continuation Betting
You always need to manage risk in poker, and it’s more important than ever when you’re aggressively betting. As an aggressive move, c-betting comes with a higher risk, and you should avoid doing it without first considering if it’s the right conditions.
The main risk of continuation betting is trying to bluff against a loose player. A player who rarely ever folds is a poor target to bluff, and you should only ever c-bet against them if you have a strong hand and it presents positive expected value.
Additionally, underestimating your opponent can cost you. Against an aggressive opponent, c-betting with a marginally good hand will often lead to losses. Your opponent is more likely to re-raise you, which can cost you in the long run.
When to Make a C-Bet
Your approach to c-betting will depend on your overall betting strategies. You can follow a strategy that tells you when to c-bet in specific situations, or if you follow a more natural playing approach, you’ll want to consider each situation as it arises. When assessing whether or not to c-bet, you’ll want to think about your opponents and how they play. As there are big risks when c-betting against aggressive or loose players, you should observe how they play before choosing when to c-bet.
You’ll also want to consider how many other players are in the pot before you decide on making a c-bet. The more players there are, the less you should be bluffing, as fooling all of them will be much harder than just fooling one. That’s not to say you can’t c-bet when multiple opponents exist. But you should only do so when you have a strong hand.
Your position at the table matters too. You should always consider your position in poker, especially when you’re taking a risk with a c-bet. Earlier positions are always more favorable as you place more pressure on your opponents by c-betting early.
