Continuation betting in poker is an important part of your overall strategy. It allows you to extract value from strong hands and it can also be used to bluff. However, c-betting comes with higher risk and it’s important to use it sparingly. It’s also a good idea to vary the size of your bets and to think about your opponents’ tendencies when making these decisions.
The first thing to consider is what kind of player you’re up against. A tight player will often call a lot of your c-bets, while an aggressive loose player might bluff back at you. It’s also a good idea not to make a c-bet every time you have a weak hand because this will give your opponents a read that you are trying to run them over with nothing.
Another consideration is what kind of board texture you are dealing with. A flop with a rainbow will be a tough spot for you to c-bet because you’ll likely be called by players who are holding speculative hands such as two pair or even middle pairs. On the other hand, if you raise pre-flop and miss the flop, a C-bet could eliminate timid calls from these types of players on the turn.
It’s also important to think about the number of opponents that you are facing in the pot. This is because the more players there are, the less inclined you will be to c-bet. You may want to check instead and see if your opponent will try to trap you on the turn with a big draw.
A final consideration is the size of your bet and whether or not you’re bluffing. Many players are fond of using the same bet size habitually, either half or two-thirds of the pot, no matter what the situation is. This is a mistake because it’s hard to make an accurate read on your opponent, and it can also leave you out of EV in some spots.
A balanced c-betting strategy is critical, and it can help you improve your win-rate significantly. It’s a key component of an effective postflop strategy, so it’s worth taking the time to develop one. To learn more, get a copy of Unfolding Poker now! It’s a short, easy-to-read book that covers topics such as running it twice, strategic changes in games with a BBJ, leveling and more. You’ll learn everything you need to know to improve your game!
