If you’re just learning how to play poker, you may have come across the term “continuation bet.” But if you’re not sure what it means, fear not. Along with learning the exact definition, you’re about to discover everything you need to know about continuation betting strategy.
Whether you’re playing in online poker tournaments or live cash games, continuation betting is something you simply must understand to be successful. Dive right in and find out more.
What is a Continuation Bet?
The obvious starting point is to define what a continuation bet, or “c-bet,” actually is. Put simply, it’s a wager made by whichever player was the most recent aggressor.
Imagine you’re playing Texas Hold’em and an opponent makes a preflop raise. Seated in the big blind, you’re the only caller. The flop is dealt and you elect to check, before your opponent bets again. This is the most common example of a “continuation bet.”
If you’d chosen to bet first, the opportunity for your opponent to make a c-bet would have been taken away. But whenever players check to the initial aggressor, there’s a chance to fire a continuation bet.
Why is it Important?
A big part of winning pots in poker is seizing the initiative. How many times do you see examples of players giving up when an aggressive action would have taken it down? Showing weakness encourages players to bet into you later in the hand, forcing you to surrender.
Whenever you have control of a hand, your opponent does not. And by putting them to the test, you give them the chance to make mistakes. Even when you completely miss the board, there’s a chance you’ll win the pot there and then if you bet out.
What to Consider Before C-Betting
Of course, it’s not always the right play to just automatically fire off a c-bet. Like everything in poker, context is key. Here’s what to think about before betting.
Number of Players
The greater the number of callers, the harder it’s going to be to get a c-bet through. So if you’ve flopped air against three preflop callers, maybe it’s time to slow down. Especially in freezeout poker tournaments where you cannot rebuy and chips are at a premium.
Your Relative Position
Position is one of the most important considerations in any poker hand, and c-bets are no exception. If you’re in position, it’s going to be tough for your opponent to play back at you, so be more inclined to fire.
Your Opponent’s Tendencies
When up against hyper-aggressive opponents or players on tilt, continuation betting with a marginal hand isn’t wise. You’re more likely to face a raise, forcing you to surrender your equity. In such spots, folding costs you money in the long run.
Similarly, you shouldn’t c-bet bluff against a calling station who is going to continue with pretty much any two cards.
The Board Texture
If the board offers a lot of drawing potential, expect opponents to semi-bluff their draws. Since you’re more likely to be raised on such boards, it makes more sense to check-call with borderline hands. After all, if the turn or river completes a draw, your hand will need to hit the muck. So control the pot size and don’t waste chips unnecessarily.
Comparative Hand Ranges
Imagine you raise preflop from early position and find one caller. The board comes queen of clubs, jack of hearts and 10 of spades and connects perfectly with your range. If you were up against a premium hand like aces or kings, you’d have been re-raised before the flop. So you should feel extremely good about this spot.
However, a board of 9 of spades, 8 of hearts and 7 of clubs gives your opponent the advantage. Their range contains lots of smaller pocket pairs and suited connectors, which aligns perfectly with this board. C-betting, therefore, is not a great move in such a scenario.
Correctly Sizing Your Continuation Bets
To make a good continuation bet, you need to size it correctly. Every hand is different, of course, but something around two-thirds to three-quarters of the pot should be ideal.
Anything smaller provides tempting pot odds that will keep your opponents around, meaning your c-bet won’t get through. But a larger bet means you’ll lose far too many chips whenever you run into a monster.
Delayed Continuation Bets
Because continuation bets are now ubiquitous, both in poker games online and at live events, it’s increasingly common to see delayed c-bets. In this case, the preflop aggressor declines to bet the flop when the other players have checked. The aim is to disguise the otherwise predictable bet, firing on the turn instead.
As with any aspect of poker, you need to remain unpredictable. The reason you mix up your bet sizing and balance your ranges is to keep opponents on their toes. A delayed c-bet is just another tool you can deploy in this particular area.
Pros and Cons of C-Betting
To recap, here’s a quick look at the benefits of continuation bets, as well as the potential risks.
| Benefits | Risks |
| If none of your opponents has a hand, your aggression is enough to win the pot. | If your c-bet is raised and you have a marginal hand, you’ll need to fold and surrender equity. |
| Players with marginal holdings come under pressure and may fold now or on later streets. | C-bet bluffing against a player who calls you all the way down could cost you a lot of chips. |
| C-betting helps to build a pot if you have a draw or a strong hand. | Do it too often and you become predictable and exploitable. |
| You can determine the price your opponent must pay if you put them on a draw. | Betting into too many players or when out of position leaves you vulnerable. |
Practice Your Continuation Bets at Borgata Online
Now you understand exactly what continuation bets are as well as how to deploy them correctly next time you play poker online. You’ve also learned about the potential risks and benefits of c-betting, leaving you well-placed to add this simple tactic to your own game.
All that remains now is to register at Borgata Online to play your favorite poker games. And don’t forget to check out the selection of online casino games and slots while you’re there.