A continuation bet (c-bet) is a crucial poker strategy where the preflop raiser bets again on the flop, even if they didn’t improve their hand. This move is super important in modern No-Limit Hold’em and Omaha games.
C-bets are powerful tools that can help you win pots without hitting the board, by representing strength and putting pressure on your opponents.
For example, if you raise with A♠K♣ preflop and the flop comes 7♥8♦2♣, a c-bet can often take down the pot right there. Statistics show that players miss the flop about 2/3 of the time, making C-bets highly effective.
However, it’s not just about bluffing – c-bets also help build pots when you have a strong hand. The size, timing, and frequency of your c-bets are key factors in making this play work for you.
Fundamentals of Continuation Betting
First, we’ll start with the basics to strengthen your basic skills.
1. When to Make a C-Bet
As the preflop aggressor, you’ve got the perfect setup for a c-bet. If you raised before the flop, you’re telling a story of strength. Keeping that story going on the flop with a C-bet makes sense.
For example, if you raised with A♠K♣ and the flop comes 7♥8♦2♣, a c-bet can often take down the pot right there.
On the flop, c-betting works best when you’re heads-up against one opponent. With more players, it gets trickier. Remember, the flop misses most hands about2/3 of the time. So, your c-bet has a good shot at winning unimproved hands.
2. Sizing Your C-Bet
The standard size for a c-bet is 2/3 to 3/4 of the pot. This size is big enough to scare off weak hands but not so big that you’re risking too much. Let’s say the pot is $10 – a c-bet of $7 would be just right.
But don’t always stick to one size. Smart players adjust based on the board and their opponents. On dry boards (like K♠7♣2♦), you can often get away with smaller bets.
These boards don’t hit most hands, so players are more likely to fold. Against fishy players who call too much, you might need to go bigger. They’re not folding to small bets, so you need to put more pressure on them.
3. Board Texture and Opponents
Board texture is super important for c-betting. On wet boards (like J♥T♥9♠), be careful. These boards hit a lot of hands, so players are more likely to call or raise their C-bet. Pay attention to your opponents’ stats. If someone has a high“fold to c-bet”percentage (like over 65%), you can c-bet more often as a bluff.
But if they’re calling or raising c-bets a lot, tighten up. Here’s a cool trick: against tight players, you can c-bet smaller on scary boards. A small bet on an A♠K♠Q♦ flop might look super strong to them.
4. Position Matters
C-betting works better when you’re in position. You get to act last, which gives you more info. Out of position, be more careful with your c-bets. Players love to float (call with weak hands) when they’re in position.
5. Multi-Way Pots
In pots with more than two players, c-bet less often. It’s harder to bluff multiple opponents. Save your c-bets for when you’ve actually hit the flop or have a strong draw. Remember, c-betting is a tool, not a rule. Use it wisely, and you’ll see your winnings grow!
The Psychology Behind C-Betting
The psychology behind c-betting is all about playing mind games with your opponents. When you raise preflop, you’re telling a story of strength. By betting again on the flop, you’re saying, “I’ve still got the goods!”
This puts pressure on your opponent, who often misses the flop. Remember, players only hit a pair or better about 1/3 of the time. So, if you c-bet with A♠K♣ on a 7♥8♦2♣ flop, your opponent might think you’ve got a big pair and fold. It’s like a game of chicken – you’re daring them to call.
But watch out! If you c-bet too much, smart cookies might catch on and start fighting back. The key is to mix it up and keep ’em guessing. Sometimes, you’ll have the nuts, and other times, you’ll be bluffing your socks off. That’s what makes poker so darn exciting!
Factors Influencing C-Bet Success
When it comes to c-betting, several factors can make or break your success. Let’s dive into the nitty-gritty of what makes a C-bet work.
1. Board Texture Analysis
The flop texture is super important when deciding to c-bet. You’ve got two main types to think about dry boards and wet boards. Dry boards don’t have many draw possibilities.
For example, a flop like K♠7♣2♦ is pretty dry. These boards are great for c-betting because your opponent likely missed the flop. You can often get away with smaller bets here, like 1/3 to 1/2 the pot.
On the flip side, wet boards have lots of draw potential. Think of a flop like J♥T♥9♠. These boards are trickier for c-betting because your opponent might have hit something or have a strong draw.
You might need to bet bigger here, like 2/3 to 3/4 of the pot, to protect your hand. High card flops (like A♠K♦5♣) usually favor the preflop raiser. You can c-bet these flops pretty often.
But watch out for low card flops (like 7♥6♣2♠). These might hit your opponent’s calling range more often.
2. Position Matters
Being in position is like having superpowers in poker. When you’re last to act, you can c-bet more often and more aggressively. You get to see what your opponent does first, which is huge.
For example, if you raise from the button and the big blind calls, you’re in a prime spot to C-bet on most flops.
You can often bet around 60% of the pot and win a lot of hands right there. When you’re out of position, like when you raised from the cutoff and the button called, you need to be more careful.
You might want to check more often and only c-bet with your stronger hands and best bluffs.
3. Number of Opponents
Heads-up pots are the best for c-betting. With only one opponent, there’s a good chance they missed the flop. Stats show that players miss the flop about 2/3 of the time. So, in heads-up pots, you can c-bet pretty often, like 70-80% of the time.
In multiway pots, you need to pump the brakes. The more players in the hand, the more likely someone hit the flop. In a 4-way pot, you might only want to c-bet about 25% of the time, and usually with your stronger hands.
4. Know Your Opponents
Tight players are often easier to c-bet against. They’ll fold a lot if they don’t hit the flop. Against these players, you can c-bet more often, even with weaker hands. Loose players are trickier.
They call more often, so your C-bets need to be stronger. Against these folks, you might want to c-bet less often but with bigger sizes when you do.
Aggressive opponents might fight back against your c-bets. Be ready for check-raises and don’t c-bet too light. Passive opponents are less likely to check-raise, so you can c-bet more often against them.
Putting It All Together
Let’s say you raised from the button with A♠K♦ and the big blind called. The flop comes 7♥6♣2♠. This is a great spot to c-bet! The board is dry, you’re in position, it’s heads-up, and you have two overcards. A bet of about 60% of the pot is solid here.
But if you raised from the cutoff with the same hand, the button called, and three players saw that flop, you might want to check.
You’re out of position in a multiway pot on a lowboard. Not ideal for c-betting.Remember, c-betting isn’t just about your hand.
It’s about the board, your position, the number of players, and your opponents. Mix these factors together, and you’ll be c-betting like a pro in no time!
Advanced C-Betting Strategies
We will now discuss advanced c-betting concepts to help you become a professional at the game.
1. Range-based C-betting
Range-based c-betting is when you bet with your entire range on certain boards. It’s a powerful move, but don’t overdo it!
For example, on a Q-6-2 rainbow flop, you might c-bet 100% of the time with a small bet. This works great against players who fold too much. But be careful – if you do it too often, smart cookies might catch on and start fighting back.
2. Delayed C-bets
A delayed c-bet is when you check the flop but bet the turn. It’s like a sneak attack! This move can be super effective when:
Your hand isn’t strong enough to bet three streets
You have a monster that blocks your opponent’s strong hands
The flop is wet, but the turn is dry
For instance, with A♠K♦ on a 7♥6♣2♠ flop, you might check back. Then, if a Q♦ hits the turn, you can fire that delayed c-bet.
3. Double and Triple Barreling
Double barreling means betting the flop and turn. Triple barreling adds a river bet to the mix. These moves can put tons of pressure on your opponents. Before you c-bet, always have a plan for future streets.
Ask yourself, “If I bet now, what will I do on the turn?”Good double barrel cards are usually high cards or cards that complete draws.
For example, if you c-bet a T♠6♣3♦ flop, good turn cards to barrel on include A, K, Q, J, or any diamond.
Triple barrels are trickier. They often work best when the river completes a draw you’ve been representing. But be careful – they can be expensive if you’re caught bluffing!
Remember, these advanced strategies are like spices in cooking. Use them wisely to add flavor to your game, but don’t overdo it!
Defending Against C-Bets
Defending against c-bets can be tricky, but with the right moves, you can turn the tables on your opponents. Let’s dive into three key strategies: floating, check-raising, and folding efficiently.
Floating: The Sneaky Counter-Attack
Floating is like playing possum in poker. You’re pretending to be weak when you’re actually setting up a trap. Here’s how it works: When your opponent makes a c-bet, instead of folding or raising, you call with the intention of taking the pot away on a later street. It’s a crafty move that can really mess with your opponent’s head. For floating to work, you need a few things in place:
- You should be in a heads-up pot. Trying to float in a multi-way pot is like trying to swim upstream – it’s just too hard.
- You need some backup equity. This means having a hand that could improve later, like a straight draw or flush draw.
- Position is key. It’s much easier to float when you’re acting last.
Let’s look at an example: You’re on the button with J♥T♥. The cutoff raises, and you call. The flop comes A♠7♣3♦. Your opponent c-bets, and you float. The turn is the 9♥, giving you a flush draw. Your opponent checks, and now you can bet and take down the pot.
Statistics show that floating can be super effective. In a study of online poker hands, players who floated won the pot about 60% of the time when they bet on the turn after calling a c-bet on the flop. But be careful! If you float too often, smart opponents will catch on and start double-barreling (betting the turn) more frequently.
Check-Raising: The Power Move
Check-raising is like throwing a curveball when your opponent is expecting a fastball. It’s a powerful weapon against c-bets, but you’ve got to use it wisely. Here’s the basic idea: You check, your opponent c-bets, and then you come over the top with a raise. It’s a move that says, “I’ve got a monster hand, buddy!”When should you check-raise? Here are some good spots:
- When you have a strong hand like a top pair or better.
- With strong draws like a flush draw or open-ended straight draw.
- As a bluff on boards that favor your range.
Let’s see an example: You’re in the big blind with 7♠6♠. The button raises, and you call. The flop comes 7♥7♣2♠. You check, your opponent c-bets, and you check-raise. Your opponent is now in a tough spot, not knowing if you have a 7 or if you’re bluffing.
Statistics show that check-raising can be incredibly effective. In a study of high-stakes online games, players who check-raised won the pot without showdown about 70% of the time. But don’t go crazy with check-raises! If you do it too often, observant opponents will start calling you down lighter or even re-raising you as a bluff.
Folding Efficiently: Knowing When to Give Up
Sometimes, the best defense against a c-bet is to fold. I know, it’s not sexy, but folding efficiently is a crucial skill in poker. Here’s when you should consider folding to a C-bet:
- When you have a weak hand and the board hits your opponent’s range hard.
- When you’re out of position with a marginal hand.
- When your opponent is a tight player who rarely bluffs.
Let’s look at an example: You’re in the big blind with Q♠J♦. The cutoff, a tight player, raises and you call. The flop comes A♥K♣8♠. You check, your opponent c-bets, and you should probably fold. This board hits your opponent’s range hard, and you don’t have much equity.
Statistics show that folding to c-bets can save you a lot of money in the long run. In a study of low-stakes online games, players who folded to c-bets more than 60% of the time had a higher win rate than those who folded less often. But don’t be a pushover! If you fold too often to c-bets, your opponents will start c-betting with any two cards.
Putting It All Together
Defending against C-bets is all about balance. You need to mix up your play to keep your opponents guessing. Here’s a rough guide:
- Float about 20-30% of the time
- Check-raise about 10-15% of the time
- Fold about 50-60% of the time
Of course, these numbers will vary depending on the specific situation, your opponent, and your image at the table. Let’s look at a final example to tie it all together: You’re in the big blind with 9♥8♥. The button, a loose-aggressive player, raises and you call. The flop comes Q♠7♣3♦. Now, you have options:
- You could float, planning to bluff on the turn if your opponent checks.
- You could check-raise as a semi-bluff, representing a hand like Q7 or 77.
- You could fold, recognizing that you don’t have much equity against your opponent’s range.
The right play depends on a lot of factors. How often does your opponent c-bet? How does he react to check raises? What’s your image at the table? Remember, poker is a game of incomplete information. Your job is to make the best decision you can with the information you have.
Common C-Betting Mistakes to Avoid
When it comes to c-betting, there are some common mistakes that can cost you big time. Let’s break ’em down:
1. Over-c-betting
Lots of players fall into the trap of c-betting too often. They think, “I raised preflop, so I gotta bet the flop!” But that’s a recipe for disaster.
If you’re c-betting more than 70% of the time, you’re probably doing it too much. Remember, on average, you’ll only hit the flop about 33% of the time. So if you’re betting way more than that, your opponents will catch on and start calling you down light.
2. Ignoring board texture
Not paying attention to the flop texture is like walking into a gunfight with your eyes closed. You gotta think about how the board hits your opponent’s range.
For example, if you raised with A♠K♦ and the flop comes 7♥6♣2♠, that’s a great spot to c-bet. But if it comes to J♥T♥9♠, pump the brakes! That board smacks your opponent’s calling range hard.
3. Failing to adjust to opponent tendencies
Poker ain’t a one-size-fits-all game. You gotta adapt to how your opponents play. If you’re up against a calling station who never folds, don’t try to bluff ’em off their hand. On the flip side, if you’re playing against a nit who folds at the drop of a hat, you can c-bet more often.
Remember, c-betting is a tool, not a rule. Use it wisely, and you’ll be raking in the chips in no time. But if you fall into these traps, you might find yourself on the rail faster than you can say “all-in”!
Using HUD Stats for C-Betting
In C-betting, your HUD can be a real game-changer. Here are some key stats to keep an eye on:
- Flop CB: This shows how often a player c-bets on the flop. A high number (like 70%) means they’re probably c-betting too much.
- Fold to Flop CB: This tells you how often they fold to a c-bet. If it’s over 50%, you can c-bet more often against them.
- Turn CB: This shows if they keep firing on the turn. A big drop from their Flop CB might mean they give up easily.
Now, let’s put these stats to work: If you see an opponent with a Flop CB of 80% and a Fold to Flop CB of 60%, you’ve struck gold! They’re c-betting too much, and folding a lot when called. Here’s what you do:
- Call their c-bets more often with marginal hands.
- Check-raise them more as a bluff.
- When you have a position, float their c-bets and take the pot away on the turn.
Remember, these stats are just a starting point. Always pay attention to how your opponent is playing right now. But with these HUD stats, you’ll be c-betting like a pro in no time!
C-Betting in Different Game Formats
C-betting changes depending on whether you’re playing cash games or tournaments, and if you’re online or live. In cash games, you can be more aggressive with your c-bets because stacks are deeper.
For example, you might c-bet 60-75% of the pot. In tournaments, especially late stages, smaller c-bets like 33-50% of the pot are common due to shallower stacks.
Online play tends to be tighter, so you might c-bet less often. Stats show that a 33% pot c-bet only needs to work 25% of the time to profit. In live games, players often fold more to c-bets, so you can bluff more.
A common live player leak is betting any pair on the turn after a checked flop, so delayed C-bets can be super effective. Remember, adapt your c-betting strategy to the game format and your opponents’ tendencies!
Conclusion
C-betting is a key weapon in your poker arsenal. Remember, it’s all about board texture, position, and opponent tendencies. Don’t go crazy – c-bet about 60-70% of the time on the flop.
Mix it up with check-raises and delayed c-bets to keep ’em guessing. But here’s the kicker: you gotta practice to get better.
Don’t just read about it – hit the tables and try it out! Keep a poker journal to track your progress. Remember, even pros make mistakes.
The difference is, they learn from them. So get out there, make some c-bets, and watch your winnings grow. You’ve got this, champ!
