Continuation Betting: The C-Bet, Explained
A continuation bet (c-bet) is when you raised preflop and bet again on the flop. As the preflop raiser you represent the strongest hands, and a c-bet wins a huge share of pots without a showdown.
Why C-bets Work
Most of the time, both players miss the flop. As the raiser you get to bet first with the story that you have a big hand:
- Your opponent often has nothing and folds
- When they call or raise, you learn something
- It keeps the initiative you took before the flop
You don't need a made hand to c-bet — you need the right board.
Bet the Right Boards
C-bet more on boards that favor your range as the raiser:
- High, dry boards (A-7-2, K-6-2 rainbow) — you have the aces and kings, they don't
- Use a small size (about 1/3 to 1/2 pot) on these — it doesn't need to be big to work
Slow down on boards that favor the caller's range:
- Low, connected boards (9-8-7, 6-5-4) — these hit their calls, not your big cards
Remember: Ask "who does this flop help more?" If it helps you, bet. If it helps them, check.
When to Just Check
Checking is not weakness — it's a tool:
- Multiway pots — a bluff has to get through more players, so give up your air
- Very wet boards with no equity — don't bloat the pot as a bluff into a board they love
- Medium hands — checking controls the pot and protects your checking range
With a strong hand on a wet board, do the opposite: bet bigger to charge the draws.
Remember: C-bet more on boards that hit your range; slow down on boards that hit theirs.