When played correctly, c betting is one of the most profitable and powerful weapons in your arsenal. It can be used to win large pots as a bluff or to build a huge pot when you have a strong hand. But before you start firing c bets left and right, it is important to understand the nuances of the technique. In this article, we will explain what is c betting in poker, how to read your opponents’ reactions to your c bets, and what factors are essential to making a good c bet.
A c bet is a bet made on the flop after you have raised pre-flop. The ‘c’ stands for continuation, and it is generally intended to capitalize on the perception of strength you created with your pre-flop raise. It is also a useful tool to help you get rid of players who may have called your pre-flop raise with speculative hands like pair or two pair. Generally, you should c bet a high percentage of the time if your opponent missed the flop when you raised pre-flop.
The best times to run a c bet are when the board is likely to help you and when you have a high percentage of strength in your hand. For example, if your opponent calls your pre-flop raise and the flop comes A J 5 you should bet often as this is a board where you have the nut. If the flop is A J T and you have a strong pair, then you should bet often as well. This type of flop makes it unlikely that your opponent hit the hand they called you with so they will be more likely to fold to a c bet.
You must always keep in mind when running a c bet that you need to be careful not to overdo it. Many players who raise pre-flop and then just c bet every single flop will find themselves losing money over time. This is because the players who are calling you with weak hands before the flop will be able to exploit your aggressiveness by just waiting for you to throw your c bets at them.
The size of your c bet is also an important factor. The ideal c bet size will accomplish your goal of getting your opponent to fold on the flop and any streets to come. It should be big enough to put your opponent off but not so large that it is risky. A good rule of thumb is to use two-thirds of the pot as a guideline for your c bet size. This is a reasonable amount of money to risk and will make it very difficult for your opponents to call your bets when they have weak hands or bluff against you. It also gives you plenty of room to build a massive pot when you do have a strong hand. You should never bet more than this amount when trying to c bet.
