Continuation Bet

A bet made by a player after having raised on an earlier round, such as in hold'em when a player raises preflop and then bets after the flop. The bet allows the preflop raise to "continue" with the lead in the hand.

C-bet Explained - What is c-betting in poker?

C-betting, short for continuation betting, is a common strategy in poker where a player who has raised before the flop (pre-flop) also bets on the flop, regardless of whether they hit the board or not.

This is done to maintain aggression and control the pot, as it forces opponents to either fold or call with weaker hands. C-betting is especially effective when few opponents are left in the hand or when the flop is unlikely to have helped their range of hands. However, c-betting should not be done blindly, as opponents may catch on to this strategy and start to call or raise with stronger hands.

Online poker giant 888poker has also shared some top tips about c-betting, focusing on when and why you c-bet as well as how much to c-bet for. Be sure to check out their Made to Learn video on the topic which is presented by ambassador Lucia Navarro

Examples of a C-bet in Poker

• When you have a strong hand: When a player has a strong hand pre-flop and bets on the flop to continue the aggression. This puts pressure on opponents with weaker hands to fold or pay to see the next community card.
• When you have missed the flop: When a player raises pre-flop but misses the flop, they can still c-bet to bluff and maintain control of the pot. This forces opponents to make a decision with incomplete information about the strength of the player's hand.
• When you have the positional advantage: When a player is in a late position, they can c-bet to steal the pot as their opponents may have weaker hands due to being out of position. This can also help the player to gain information about their opponent's hand.

Advantages of C-betting - Why C-bet in Poker?

C-betting in poker is an effective strategy to maintain control of the pot and force opponents with weaker hands to make difficult decisions.

C-betting and aggression is generally good practice in poker, assuming the flop is the right texture.

C-bet to…Take down the pot

C-betting in poker is a valuable tool to take down the pot even when a player's hand is weak. By raising preflop, a player can represent having a strong hand and then bet again on the flop to continue the aggression.

This puts pressure on the opponents with weaker hands to either fold or pay to see the next community card. If executed correctly, c-betting can force opponents to surrender the pot and can be a profitable move for the player even without a strong hand.

C-bet to…Get people out of the pot

C-betting in poker can be particularly useful in multiway pots where more players are involved in the hand. By betting on the flop, a player can gain information about the strength of their opponents' hands and potentially force weaker hands to fold.

Additionally, c-betting can thin out the field and reduce the number of opponents who remain in the hand, making it easier for the player to control the pot and potentially win with a weaker hand.

C-bet to…Build the pot

C-betting in poker is often better for getting value than slow-playing strong hands because it puts pressure on opponents to make decisions with incomplete information about the strength of a player's hand.

Slow playing a strong hand, on the other hand, can give opponents the opportunity to catch up and potentially outdraw the player. By c-betting, a player can extract more value from their opponents, even if they do not have a strong hand, and potentially win a larger pot in the process.

Five Super Tips to Help Poker Players Deal with Variance and Downswings

When shouldn’t you C-bet?

A player should avoid c-betting in poker when they have a weak hand, and multiple opponents are in the pot, as this can result in losing more chips than necessary. Additionally, c-betting should not be done predictably, as opponents can catch on and counter this strategy.

Don’t c-bet when…you’re facing multiple opponents

C-betting in poker can be risky when facing multiple opponents as it increases the chances of someone having a stronger hand. Betting with a weak hand in this situation can lead to unnecessarily losing more chips, as opponents are likelier to call or raise with a wider range of hands.

In such cases, it may be better to check and evaluate the situation before making any further decisions. Checking can also help a player to save chips and avoid getting trapped in a potentially losing hand.

Don’t c-bet when…the flop hits your opponent's range more than yours

When the flop hits an opponent's range more than a player's range, it may not be advisable to c-bet in poker. If an opponent has a wider range of strong hands on the flop than the player does, betting can lead to the player being called or raised with a stronger hand.

It may be better to check and potentially fold to any bets from the opponent. It is important for a player to accurately assess the strength of their own hand and their opponent's range before making any decisions.

Don’t c-bet when…you’re out of position

C-betting in poker when out of position can be risky, as it gives opponents the opportunity to take control of the hand. When a player is out of position, they will act before their opponents on subsequent betting rounds, potentially giving away valuable information about their hand.

C-betting out of position can lead to larger bets from opponents, making it more difficult for the player to control the pot. In these spots, it may be better to check and evaluate the situation before making any further decisions.

Don’t c-bet when…you’re facing a calling station

When facing a calling station in poker, it may not be advisable to c-bet as these opponents are likelier to call with a wide range of hands.

Betting in such situations can lead to losing more chips unnecessarily, as calling stations are not easily intimidated and can be difficult to bluff. In these cases, it may be better to check and potentially call down on subsequent streets if the opponent bets.

It is important to adjust one's strategy based on the opponent's tendencies and play accordingly.

Don’t c-bet when…you’re too far ahead

When a player flops the nuts in poker, it may not be advisable to c-bet, as this can scare off opponents and limit the potential size of the pot. Opponents with weaker hands may be more likely to fold to a bet rather than call or raise.

It may be better to slow play the hand and potentially induce bluffs or additional bets from opponents. This can help to build the pot and potentially win a larger amount of chips in the long run.

How Much Should You Bet When You Are C-betting?

When c-betting in poker, the bet size should be determined by the situation and board texture. A typical c-bet is usually between a third to 50% of the pot size, although different sizes can be used depending on the board texture.

A larger bet size may be more effective on a wet board where there are many possible draws, as it can discourage opponents from chasing their draws. Conversely, a smaller bet size may be more effective on a dry board with fewer draws, as it allows a player to extract value from weaker hands while minimizing their risk.

It is important to consider the board texture and opponent tendencies before deciding on a bet size when c-betting in poker.

Can You C-bet on the Turn?

Yes, a player can c-bet the turn in poker, which is commonly known as a double-barrel. Double-barrelling can be a useful strategy for building the pot and potentially winning more chips. It can also be effective when the opponent has shown weakness on the flop and may be more likely to fold to a second bet on the turn.

However, it is important to carefully evaluate the situation and the opponent's tendencies before making a double-barrelling play. If the opponent has shown strength or is likely to call another bet, it may be more effective to check and evaluate the situation before making any further decisions.

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Continuation-betting in Poker FAQs