What Is a Continuation Bet?
A continuation bet (c-bet) is a bet made on the flop by the player who was the preflop aggressor — the one who raised before the flop. Even if the flop missed your hand, betting again "continues" the story of strength you started preflop.
Why C-Bet?
Initiative
As the preflop raiser, opponents expect you to have a strong range. A c-bet leverages that perception. Many opponents will fold medium-strength hands or missed draws rather than fight back.
Fold Equity
On average, the flop misses both players. Since you raised preflop, opponents are more likely to give you credit for a hand and fold. Even a small c-bet of 25-33% of the pot can generate enough folds to be profitable.
C-Bet Sizing Guidelines
| Size | When to Use | Example |
|---|---|---|
| 25-33% pot | Dry boards, range advantage | K-7-2 rainbow — your range hits this harder |
| 50-66% pot | Standard, slightly coordinated boards | Q-T-5 two-tone — balance value and protection |
| 75-100% pot | Wet boards, protecting strong hands | J-T-9 with two hearts — deny cheap draws |
When to C-Bet
- You hit the board: Value bet with top pair or better.
- Dry, disconnected flops: Opponents miss these often. A small c-bet takes it down frequently.
- You have a strong draw: Semi-bluff with flush draws or straight draws to build the pot and give yourself two ways to win.
- Heads-up pots: C-betting is much more effective against a single opponent than against multiple callers.
When to Check Back
- Multiway pots: With 3+ players seeing the flop, someone likely connected. Check back weak hands.
- Very wet boards: When the flop is highly coordinated (e.g., 8-9-T two-tone) and you missed, your c-bet gets called or raised too often.
- You have showdown value: Medium pairs on dry boards can check behind and win at showdown without building the pot.
- Your opponent never folds: Against calling stations, don't bluff-c-bet. Only bet for value.
Common C-Bet Mistakes
| Mistake | Why It's Wrong |
|---|---|
| C-betting every flop | Predictable. Opponents adjust by calling or raising wider. |
| Same sizing every time | Tells observant opponents exactly what you have. Mix your sizes. |
| C-betting into 3+ opponents | At least one person hit the flop. Fold equity drops dramatically. |
| Giving up after one c-bet | If you c-bet the flop, consider barreling the turn when draws miss. |
Next Steps
- Learn about board texture to understand when boards favor your range.
- Read about bluffing for more on semi-bluffs and fold equity.
- Review pot odds to size your bets relative to the pot.