Lesson 6 [Beginner] Continuation Bet

The core of the continuation bet is “maintaining initiative”.

Basic Strategy

If you raised preflop, continue to bet on the flop.

Game situation: Cash game 1/2, Stack 100BB+, Heads-up pot

What is a Continuation Bet (C-bet)?

• When the player who made the last aggressive action preflop (the raiser) bets on the flop.
• Example: I raise preflop → Opponent calls → I bet on the flop (This is a C-bet)
• An action to maintain initiative regardless of whether your hand is strong or weak.

Basic C-bet Rules

When to C-bet?

• In most heads-up pots (1 vs 1)
• When you have a strong hand (value bet)
• When you have a weak hand but suspect your opponent also missed (bluff)
• Generally, C-betting 70-80% of the time in heads-up pots is standard.

There are three reasons for this:

• Maintain Initiative: By raising preflop, you represent a strong hand. Continuing to attack makes it more likely your opponent will fold.
• Opponents Often Miss: The probability of hitting a pair or better on the flop is about 33%. The remaining 67% of the time, they have nothing, so betting makes them likely to fold.
• Pot Control: With strong hands, you get value; with draws, you build the pot; and with weak hands, you create an opportunity to make your opponent fold.

Situational Responses

1. C-betting on Dry Boards

C-bet frequently with a small size (1/3 pot). On dry boards, your opponent is less likely to have hit anything, so even a small bet can induce a fold. It's advantageous to C-bet even if you have nothing.

2. C-betting on Wet Boards

C-bet with a large size (2/3 pot or more), or check with weak hands. On wet boards, your opponent is more likely to have draws, so bet big to make it expensive for them, or check if you have nothing.

3. In Multiway Pots (3+ players)

Reduce your C-bet frequency (40-50%). With multiple players, it's more likely someone has hit the board. Only C-bet with strong hands or draws, and check with weak hands; this is more advantageous in the long run.

Thought Process

When deciding whether to C-bet on the flop, try to think in this order:

1. Was I the preflop raiser?
2. Is it heads-up or multiway?
3. Is the board dry or wet? (Refer to Lesson 5)
4. What is my hand? (Strong/Draw/Weak)
5. Should I C-bet? If so, what size? (Small on dry, large on wet)

Example Hand Analysis

Example 1: C-betting a Weak Hand on a Dry Board

Game: Cash game 1/2, Stack 200BB
Position: BTN
Preflop: Hero raises $6 from the BTN (A♠ 5♠), BB calls
Flop: K♣ 9♦ 3♥
Pot: $13

Thought Process:

1. “Who has a structural advantage on this board?”
   → It's a dry board. I was the preflop raiser, so I have the initiative.
2. “What role does my hand play within my range?”
   → I have ace-high with nothing, but it's likely my opponent also missed.
3. “Does my opponent have enough hands to fold / do they call a lot?”
   → If my opponent doesn't have a K, 9, or 3, they will likely fold. I can win the pot with a C-bet.

Conclusion: C-bet $4 (approx. 1/3 pot)

Comment: It's advantageous to C-bet even if you have nothing. If your opponent folds, you win the pot; if they call, you have a chance to hit an ace on the turn or attack again if they check.

Example 2: Value C-betting with a Strong Hand

Game: Cash game 1/2, Stack 180BB
Position: CO
Preflop: Hero raises $6 from the CO (A♥ K♥), BTN calls
Flop: A♠ 8♣ 4♦
Pot: $15

Thought Process:

1. “Who has a structural advantage on this board?”
   → It's a dry board. I have a strong hand with top pair, top kicker.
2. “What role does my hand play within my range?”
   → It's a strong hand for a value bet.
3. “Does my opponent have enough hands to fold / do they call a lot?”
   → If my opponent has a weak ace or a middle pair, they might call. I get value with a C-bet.

Conclusion: C-bet $5 (approx. 1/3 pot)

Comment: On dry boards, C-betting with a small size is advantageous. You get value from your opponent's weaker hands, and if they have a strong hand, you can make a bigger bet on the turn.

Example 3: C-betting or Checking on a Wet Board

Game: Cash game 1/2, Stack 200BB
Position: HJ
Preflop: Hero raises $6 from the HJ (A♣ Q♣), BB calls
Flop: J♠ T♠ 8♥
Pot: $13

Thought Process:

1. “Who has a structural advantage on this board?”
   → It's a wet board. J-T-8 is connected, and two spades make it very dangerous.
2. “What role does my hand play within my range?”
   → I have ace-high with nothing, and no straight draw.
3. “Does my opponent have enough hands to fold / do they call a lot?”
   → My opponent is likely to have a pair or a draw. A C-bet is likely to be called.

Conclusion: Check

Comment: On a wet board, if you have nothing, checking is safer. If you C-bet, your opponent is likely to call, and if you get raised, you'll have to fold, wasting money.

Example 4: Reducing C-bet Frequency in Multiway Pots

Game: Cash game 1/2, Stack 220BB
Position: MP
Preflop: Hero raises $6 from MP (K♠ Q♠), HJ calls, BTN calls
Flop: Q♥ 7♣ 3♦
Pot: $19 (3 players)

Thought Process:

1. “Who has a structural advantage on this board?”
   → It's a dry board, but it's a multiway (3 players) pot.
2. “What role does my hand play within my range?”
   → I have a strong hand with top pair.
3. “Does my opponent have enough hands to fold / do they call a lot?”
   → With two opponents, it's possible someone hit a pair. However, since I have top pair, I will C-bet.

Conclusion: C-bet $6 (approx. 1/3 pot)

Comment: In multiway pots, you reduce your C-bet frequency, but you should still bet with strong hands. You can get value even if both opponents fold or if one calls.

Key Patterns Summary

Pattern 1: Heads-up + Dry Board → 70-80% C-bet (small size)

Pattern 2: Heads-up + Wet Board + Strong Hand → C-bet (large size)

Pattern 3: Heads-up + Wet Board + Weak Hand → Check

Pattern 4: Multiway + Strong Hand → C-bet

Pattern 5: Multiway + Weak Hand → Check

Pattern 6: C-bet decisions are based on the board and situation, not just your hand.

Quiz

Question 1
Hero raises $6 from the BTN (7♠ 6♠), BB calls. Flop: K♣ 9♥ 2♦. What should you do?

A) Check
B) C-bet $4 (1/3 pot)
C) C-bet $9 (2/3 pot)
D) Fold

Question 2
Hero raises $6 from the CO (A♠ A♥), BTN calls. Flop: 8♠ 7♠ 6♠. What is the correct action?

A) Check
B) C-bet $5 (1/3 pot)
C) C-bet $10 (2/3 pot)
D) All-in

Question 3
Hero raises $6 from the HJ (K♣ Q♣), CO calls, BTN calls. Flop: A♦ 8♠ 3♥. What should you do?

A) C-bet (weak hand but bluff)
B) Check (weak hand in multiway pot)
C) C-bet (because it's a dry board)
D) Fold

Question 4
What is the most important reason to C-bet?

A) Because my hand is strong
B) To maintain initiative
C) To annoy my opponent
D) To build the pot

Question 5
What is the appropriate C-bet frequency on a heads-up dry board?

A) 30-40%
B) 50-60%
C) 70-80%
D) 100%

Answers and Explanations

Question 1
Answer: B) C-bet $4 (1/3 pot)

Explanation: It's a K-9-2 dry board and heads-up, so C-betting is advantageous. Even if you have nothing, your opponent is likely to fold if they don't hold a K, 9, or 2. C-bet with a small size.

Question 2
Answer: C) C-bet $10 (2/3 pot)

Explanation: An 8-7-6 monotone board is very wet. AA is a strong hand, but without a spade, it's vulnerable to flushes. C-bet with a large size to make draws expensive for your opponent or to make weak hands fold.

Question 3
Answer: B) Check (weak hand in multiway pot)

Explanation: In a multiway pot, you have ace-high with nothing. With two opponents, it's highly likely someone hit an ace or a pair. Checking is safer.

Question 4
Answer: B) To maintain initiative

Explanation: The most important reason for a C-bet is to continue maintaining the initiative gained preflop. Regardless of whether your hand is strong or weak, continuing to attack makes your opponent more likely to fold and allows you to control the pot.

Question 5
Answer: C) 70-80%

Explanation: On a heads-up dry board, C-betting around 70-80% of the time is standard. Since your opponent's probability of hitting the flop is about 33%, you can win the pot with a C-bet in the remaining cases.