Continuation betting in poker is a way to take advantage of the initiative you gained preflop and carry it over to the flop. It can be done for protection, value, or bluffing. Regardless of your motivation, it is important to properly assess the strength of your opponent’s hand and their range before making this decision.
When to C-Bet
The c-bet is an incredibly valuable tool when used properly. It is a way to collect the dead money when your opponent misses the flop, as well as a way to build the pot those times when you do have a strong hand. However, it can be dangerous when it is used too frequently or predictably as your opponents will eventually catch on to it and be able to exploit your style.
When to C-Bet or Not
The best c-bet situations are those where it is likely that your opponent has called with a weak hand, and that they will fold to you on the turn and river. This can include a flop with aces or kings, or a board that is unlikely to have helped your opponent’s hand preflop.
Another key consideration is the amount of dead money in the pot. If the pot is small, it may not be worth betting into. Likewise, if it is very large, you might want to check instead of bet. A bet that is about two-thirds of the pot flop is usually ideal as it will collect dead money while still being enough to build the pot when you do have a good hand.
It is also a good idea to not c-bet when you know that your opponent will call with a strong hand. This is because they will be more likely to call on the turn and river if they feel that they have an edge over you.
When Not to C-Bet
Players often mistakenly think that they should c-bet every time they raise preflop, but this is not necessarily true. In fact, if you c-bet too often, it will become predictable and your opponents will learn to counter your strategy. Therefore, it is important to balance a good number of c-bets with a good amount of checks in order to keep your opponents off guard. By doing so, you will be able to maximize the profit potential of your c-bets. If you are unsure how to go about doing this, consult a professional poker coach for help. They can help you find the right balance of flop texture, table image, and hand ranges to make your c-bets more successful. They can also help you develop a solid game plan that will make your online poker play more profitable in the long run.
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