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Continuation betting, or C-Bet for short, is one of the most common terms and concepts you’ll hear in the game of poker. C-betting occurs in all games, tournaments, cash games and even mixed games.
So what is Poker C-Betting, how does it work, and why is it important to know about it? Let’s continue watching at JILIBET Online Casino!
What is Poker C-Betting?
I define Poker C-Betting as when the preflop attacker continues to attack on subsequent streets while that player still has the initiative. This can manifest itself in many different forms. C-Bet is used in single-raise pots, 3-bet pots, 4-bet pots, and it doesn’t even necessarily need to be on the flop.
We even have “delayed c-betting” that takes place on the street in the back. The key to understanding C-Bet is that the preflop attacker continues the attack later down the street without interrupting the flow.
Why is it so important to understand Poker C-Betting?
One of the most important aspects of understanding c-betting is the relationship between player ranges. (A range is defined as the range of hands a player is likely to have in a given situation.) Typically, the player who raises last before the flop represents the stronger hand range. The player who usually holds the best hand will often want to take advantage and put in more money in the form of a continuation bet.
On the other side of this equation, we don’t typically see players lose liquidity when attacking preflop because they typically hold weaker hand ranges. There are special situations where leading is the preferred strategy, but these are rare. In poker, there are always exceptions to strategy guidelines!
Things to consider when playing Poker C-Betting
The continuation betting percentage of pros depends on many variables, but is almost always higher than 50% globally. You will often see most players continue betting, especially when in position. Location is one of the many factors that affects our c-betting strategy.
Another major factor is board texture. How does this flop (or board) relate to my range compared to my opponent’s range? Does my opponent have a lot of weak hands on this particular flop? Medium strength holding? Very strong holding? These are all questions players should ask themselves when developing a c-betting strategy.
What Bet Size to Use When Poker C-Betting
Another very important concept regarding c-betting is bet size. Different situations require different sizes and we should understand why this happens. Determining the correct bet size and frequency is a decision based on the relationship between our range, our opponent’s range, and the board structure.
Usually, the amount bet and the frequency of bets are related. For example, in a situation where our opponent has a series of weak hands (e.g. defending the big blind) and we have a dry hand texture (KK2 rainbow flop), the best strategy is to use a smaller bet size high frequency . Since our opponent will have many weak hands that are not relevant to the board, we can more effectively use a smaller bet size to achieve the same effect as a larger bet size.
This concept of frequency and bet sizing can be seen in many poker situations, not just including continuation bets.
Poker C-Betting and Technology
Computer programs help us understand more clearly the theoretically optimal Poker C-Betting strategy. As the use of computers in poker research has evolved, we have gained “solutions” to almost every situation in poker.
While trying to memorize “solutions” to the myriad possible situations in poker wouldn’t be a fruitful endeavor, trying to understand why a computer chooses a certain strategy is another matter. Today, top players feel more comfortable with their c-betting strategies because they understand the mechanics behind what they are doing.
Conclusion
Whether you are a top pro or a casual player just learning the rules, understanding continuation betting is vital to your success. C-betting too often, not often enough, or at the wrong size can cause us many problems, both in the hand and later on the street.
While everything in poker depends on the situation, I hope this brief primer will help lay the groundwork for the idea of continuation betting.
