When you are new to poker, you can’t know everything right away. One starts with the basics and then moves forward to more complex aspects of the gameplay and strategy. Poker is a card game that can be nuanced and exciting. It supports various playing styles, including continuation bets.
If you wish to find out more about them, we give you a basic training on the topic.
What is a Continuation Bet?
A continuation bet, also known as the c-bet, is not a rare occurrence in poker. It happens when a player who was a pre-flop raiser continues to bet on the flop, even if their hand on the flop didn’t improve.
So, to follow with this strategy you have to raise on the pre-flop and then continue to play aggressively, betting once again on the flop. What is the objective here? The idea is to get yourself in a situation where you might win the pot because your opponent(s) don’t have a hand.
It is possible to do a continuation bet with a strong, medium-strong and a weak hand. If you boast a good hand (for example, a high pair or better), you should continue betting. The decision-making becomes more complicated with medium-strong and weak hands.
However, the advice generally goes in favour of the c-bet. Online poker pros advise that you c-bet approximately 65-70% of flops with weak hands. Statistically, this approach has a high success rate.
The Common Uses
There are situations that can be considered good for making the c-bet in poker. For instance, when high cards come on the flop. If there are Aces or kings on the board, that would be a good continuation bet situation.
Look out for flops that are unlikely to help your opponent; you should be able to assume whether they will be willing to give up when you c-bet.
On the other hand, there are also situations in which continuation betting in poker is not recommended. It is best to skip the c-bet when the flop is likely to help your opponent(s). If you suspect they will have a foundation for calling, skip.
You can never know these things for sure. But it is the educated guesses that make poker a thrilling game. If you raise before the flop and multiple opponents call, your continuation bet will not work. The more opponents there are still standing, you will likely get called on.
The Size of the Poker Continuation Bet
You are probably also wondering how much to bet when you are making a c-bet. Keep in mind that you should strive for achieving a balance between getting value for a strong hand and cheaply betting on a weak hand.
Between 60-75% of the pot size is something most poker players will stand behind. In other words, 2/3 to 3/4 the size of the pot would be a good continuation bet.
The Advantages of a C-Bet
Continuation bets can serve you well if your intention is to manipulate the size of the pot. If you have a big hand or a quality draw, c-betting helps you to build a pot.
By raising before the flop, you gain initiative. Then you take advantage of it and carry it over to the flop with another bet. If you are lucky, you’ll win the pot without a fight. Overall, the continuation bet can be a great tool in a poker player’s skillset.
The Disadvantages of a C-Bet
There are risks to making the c-bet, as well. You should avoid automatically going for the continuation bet every single time you raise before the flop.
As a pre-flop raiser, you ought to avoid making a continuation bet against someone who never folds, as well. This would just be making losses. Focus on making value bets if you face such opponents.
