The Continuation Bet
In this Article:
- What is a Continuation Bet?
- When should you use a Continuation Bet?
- Important considerations when making a Continuation Bet.
- Reading your opponents.
- What is a Continuation Bet?
- When should you use a Continuation Bet?
- Important considerations when making a Continuation Bet.
- Reading your opponents.
What is a Continuation Bet?
The continuation bet or "cbet" is a popular bet to use in Texas Holdem. In the early years of poker, the cbet was only used by professionals. However, in recent years it has become a well known bet to make, and it is almost a standard play.
The situation run down. You have raised pre-flop, you have AK suited. These are good cards but you haven't paired anything when the flop has been turned up. So what do you do? You make a continuation bet. Since you raised at the start, there is a chance that other players' didn't pair their hands- or have a strong enough hand to call with. This is why you make a bet to take the pot, called the continuation bet.
It is important to remember that the villain (your opponent) only has a one in three chance to hit their cards on the flop, so chances are if you make the continuation bet and if they missed their cards. They will fold and you will just take down the pot.
The continuation bet or "cbet" is a popular bet to use in Texas Holdem. In the early years of poker, the cbet was only used by professionals. However, in recent years it has become a well known bet to make, and it is almost a standard play.
The situation run down. You have raised pre-flop, you have AK suited. These are good cards but you haven't paired anything when the flop has been turned up. So what do you do? You make a continuation bet. Since you raised at the start, there is a chance that other players' didn't pair their hands- or have a strong enough hand to call with. This is why you make a bet to take the pot, called the continuation bet.
It is important to remember that the villain (your opponent) only has a one in three chance to hit their cards on the flop, so chances are if you make the continuation bet and if they missed their cards. They will fold and you will just take down the pot.
When should you use a Continuation Bet?
The cbet should only be used under certain circumstances. You should be using a cbet when you have bet pre-flop and you haven't hit your cards, but you believe your opponent hasn't either. Since their is a 1 in 3 chance for your villain to hit their cards, then the chances are, they haven't- then you can make the cbet to win the pot.
The cbet should only be used under certain circumstances. You should be using a cbet when you have bet pre-flop and you haven't hit your cards, but you believe your opponent hasn't either. Since their is a 1 in 3 chance for your villain to hit their cards, then the chances are, they haven't- then you can make the cbet to win the pot.
Important considerations when making a Continuation Bet:
If you are going to make a cbet you need to consider the following things: How much will you raise? What will you do if your opponent re-raises you? How many players are in the hand?
A good cbet is usually a raise that is about 75% of the pot. For example if the pot amounts to $10, than a good cbet raise would be $7.50. If you raise lower than this, your opponents may call just to see another card and possible win. If you raise higher than this and your opponent has hit their cards- than they have gotten excellent value from your raise and your lost more money than was necessary.
If your opponent re-raises your cbet, what should you do? You have three choice, call/ raise/ or fold. If you have good outs - then depending on the size of the raise you might call. If you are playing with just a high card you will probably fold. If you are going to re-raise your opponent, you should be considering past encounters with this player and your own personal 'table image'.
Having too many players in the hand can damage the likeliness of pulling off a cbet. Ideally, you would want to be playing against 1-2 players. The more players in the hand, the more chances for someone to catch something.
If you are going to make a cbet you need to consider the following things: How much will you raise? What will you do if your opponent re-raises you? How many players are in the hand?
A good cbet is usually a raise that is about 75% of the pot. For example if the pot amounts to $10, than a good cbet raise would be $7.50. If you raise lower than this, your opponents may call just to see another card and possible win. If you raise higher than this and your opponent has hit their cards- than they have gotten excellent value from your raise and your lost more money than was necessary.
If your opponent re-raises your cbet, what should you do? You have three choice, call/ raise/ or fold. If you have good outs - then depending on the size of the raise you might call. If you are playing with just a high card you will probably fold. If you are going to re-raise your opponent, you should be considering past encounters with this player and your own personal 'table image'.
Having too many players in the hand can damage the likeliness of pulling off a cbet. Ideally, you would want to be playing against 1-2 players. The more players in the hand, the more chances for someone to catch something.
Reading your opponents:
You need to consider how much you raised pre-flop. If you raised 5x the big blind, then you should be questioning why are these players calling you. If this is the case, then making a continuation bet may not be the best option- especially if you read that they are carrying pockets. It is also important to consider the knowledge you have on your opponent. Does your opponent play loose or tight?
You need to consider how much you raised pre-flop. If you raised 5x the big blind, then you should be questioning why are these players calling you. If this is the case, then making a continuation bet may not be the best option- especially if you read that they are carrying pockets. It is also important to consider the knowledge you have on your opponent. Does your opponent play loose or tight?
