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Fact or Bluff: What Is A Continuation or C-Bet?
Continuation, or C-Bet, is the most basic form of a bluff in the poker world.
C-Bet is when a player has raised preflop, they missed the flop, and they are the first to act, or other players have checked to them.
For example, you are playing Texas Hold’em, where you have raised before the flop, and the big blind is called. Flop turns out to be an Ace, 10, and a 5, and the other player checks. This scenario is called C-betting, and it is a form of bluff because you put yourself in the lead(i.e., the first player to act) to signal that you hold a strong hand. So, when your opponent misses the flop, you can win.
How To Execute A C-Bet Bluff: 5 Tips On When To Make Or Avoid C-Bets
To C-bet, you should bet 50 to 75% of the pot when you hold a KQ, and your opponent checks to the raiser. There are some important factors to watch out for while executing a continuation bet.
- It is better to make your continuation bet smaller and keep the size close to half of the pot. Because when you bet 50% of the pot, you only have to win 1 out of three times to break even. But when you make it 75%, you should win 43% of the time to break even. Here is the catch: make sure to mix it up from time to time so your opponent cannot tell that you are C-betting or value betting.
- It is best to C-bet in head-ups. You may do it when there are two opponents, but NEVER C-bet when there are more than 2 players at the table. Why? Because the higher the number of players, the higher the chance that one opponent holds a good hand and it works against you.
- Make sure to pay attention to the structure of the flop and the you hold. For instance, if you have a draw in position, last to act, and your opponent is an aggressive player, it would not make sense to C-bet, and most of the time, it is better to check.
- Always C-bet when you miss the flop completely because it is your only chance to win the pot.
- If the board has lots of possible draws or a couple of high cards, i.e., board is wet, you better avoid C-betting as in such scenarios, the probability of your opponent connecting with the board is high.
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What Is A Delayed C-Bet?
When you are in one of the following situations, it is a good place for a delayed C-betting.
- When you don’t make the continuation bet on the flop and the action is checked to you on the turn.
- When your opponent checks to you again on the turn. In other words, when you are checked in position on the flop, and you are first to act on the turn. It is an even better opportunity to win the pot as your opponent’s range is very likely to be weak and your delayed C-bet will win you the pot most of the time.
If your C-bet gets called, you can fire a second barrel on the river if a safe card comes. Hence, you have the chance to win the pot.
Final Thoughts
In essence, continuation or C-bet is a bluffing strategy to make people fold so you can take down the pot. As a general rule of thumb, you should AVOID C-betting when there are more than two players at the table, you face a calling situation, you are out of position, and your opponent has a wider range of strong hands on the flop.
On the other hand, almost every time, when you raise the preflop and miss the flop, you should C-bet. Also, when you have a strong hand or have a potential advantage over the opponent, C-betting is a good idea. Overall, C-betting is one of the fundamental poker principles that can be pretty profitable if executed correctly and wisely.
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