The Continuation bet is one of poker’s most powerful tools when used with thought and discipline. It looks simple: you raised preflop, the action checked to you on the flop, and you fire a bet. But beneath that simple motion lies a web of game theory, psychology, board texture reading, and precise sizing that separates casual winners from consistent winners. In this guide I’ll share lessons from thousands of hands I’ve played and reviewed as a coach, practical rules you can apply immediately, and the why behind each decision so you can adapt to live and online formats.
Why the Continuation bet works
At its core, the continuation bet leverages two principles: perceived strength and fold equity. By raising preflop, you’ve advertised a strong range. On many flops that signal still looks credible, allowing you to win the pot without a made hand. Equally important, betting forces opponents to make mistakes — calling too wide, folding too often, or giving up postflop initiative. When you choose your spots correctly, a well-timed continuation bet increases your win-rate dramatically.
Experience and context: not every c-bet is the same
From years of coaching, the biggest mistake I see is players treating the continuation bet as a reflex. They c-bet every flop because “that’s the play.” Early on I did the same — my c-bet frequency was sky-high and my results were mediocre. Once I started categorizing boards and opponents, my realization was simple: boards, stack sizes, and player tendencies change the expected value of a c-bet more than whether I had a single pair.
Quick decision framework
- Ask: Does my perceived range beat enough of Villain’s calling range on this board?
- Consider: Does Villain have blockers to strong hands? Are they capable of folding?
- Size: How much fold equity do I need — and will my sizing achieve it?
- Plan: If called, what will I do on turn and river?
Board texture: the single biggest factor
Board texture determines whether your opponent’s calling range includes many strong hands or mostly draws and weak pairs. Think in three categories:
- Dry boards (e.g., K-7-2 rainbow): Great for c-bets. Fewer draws, more hands missed. Your range often contains many top pairs and overcards.
- Semi-wet boards (e.g., K-Q-7 with two hearts): Mixed. Many hands hit parts of both ranges; you must balance with some strong value and some bluffs.
- Wet boards (e.g., 9-8-7 two-tone or with flush possibilities): Bad for high-frequency c-betting. Opponents have many calling and drawing options; your fold equity is lower.
Example: On a dry Ace-high flop, a c-bet from the preflop raiser often forces folds from hands like KQ, AQ missed, and medium pairs. On a coordinated 9-8-7 flop, those same hands have more equity or direct connections to draws, so a c-bet loses value unless paired with a strong plan for later streets.
Bet sizing: math and psychology
Size determines both the pot odds you give and the fold equity you create. Here are practical sizing rules that have worked in my experience:
- Dry boards: 40%–60% of the pot. Small enough to deny cheap equity, large enough to get folds.
- Semi-wet boards: 60%–75%. You need more pressure to push off draws and medium pairs.
- Wet boards: 75%–100% or check. If you must bet, larger sizes reduce the frequency of profitable calls with draws, but often checking and pot control or check-folding is better.
Fold equity calculation (simple): Suppose the pot is $100 and you bet $50. Villain must call $50 to win $150, so they require 25% equity to make the call profitable. If you estimate Villain’s calling range has less than 25% equity versus your range, the c-bet gains EV.
Opponent types and approach
Adjust your continuation bet frequency and composition based on opponent tendencies:
- Passive callers: Value-bet more, bluff less. Use smaller sizes to extract.
- Tight tags: You can c-bet more as they fold marginal ranges often; focus on value and targeted bluffs.
- Aggressive/raising players: Reduce bluff frequency; be prepared to check back marginal hands and use check-raises selectively.
- Draw-happy players: Prefer larger sizing to deny cheap equity and prioritize value hands for protection.
Hand examples and decision trees
Example 1 — Preflop: You raise from the cutoff with A♠ Q♠. Button calls. Flop: K♦ 7♣ 2♠ (rainbow).
Decision: High-value c-bet. This is a dry board where many of Button’s continuing hands are Kx, Qx, or small pairs. A bet around 45% of the pot often picks up the pot. If called, plan to continue with showdown or pot control on the turn unless a scare card arrives.
Example 2 — Preflop: You raise from CO with 9♣ 8♣. Button calls. Flop: 10♣ 7♣ 2♠.
Decision: This is a very wet, connected flop that hits a lot of calling ranges and gives Villain a lot of backdoor equity. Rather than automatically c-betting, consider checking to induce bluffs or to control pot size. If you c-bet as a bluff, make it large and be prepared for check-raises.
Turn and river planning
Think two streets ahead. A good c-bet line includes an answer to: “If called, what will I do on the turn?” For example, if you bluff on a wet flop, you should frequently plan to abandon the hand to second-barrel unless you pick up meaningful equity or a fold-inducing card. Consistency in narrative matters: if your line tells a story that matches a value hand, you’ll get called by worse; if it’s inconsistent, observant opponents will punish you.
Advanced considerations: frequencies and blockers
Advanced players mix in bluffs and value in frequencies that make them difficult to exploit. Use blockers to inform bluffing choices: holding a card that reduces opponent’s strongest responses (e.g., you hold a heart on a two-heart flop) increases the effectiveness of certain bluffs. Conversely, if you lack blockers, bluff less and lean toward value or checking.
Common mistakes and how to fix them
- C-bet reflexively every flop: Fix it by categorizing boards before acting.
- Bluffing too big or too often against calling stations: Reduce bluff frequency and use smaller sizes for value.
- Not adjusting to position: Out-of-position c-bets require stronger hands or better planning for later streets.
- Ignoring stack sizes: Deep stacks allow multi-street bluffing; short stacks require more straightforward lines.
Practical drills to improve
1) Review 200 hands where you c-bet and tag whether the board was dry, semi-wet, or wet. Note success rate and adjust your frequencies. 2) Simulate turn scenarios: when called, play out whether you check, bet small, or bet big on the turn and compare EV. 3) Range study: Build an exploitative and a balanced c-bet chart for three representative flops — practice until you recognize the correct narrative instantly.
Bankroll and mental game
Continuation betting is a long-term process. You will get called in spots where you expect folds and you will fold when you could have forced a mistake. Proper bankroll management and emotional control keep you from overreacting to short-term variance. Track your results by board texture and adjust your sample strategy every few thousand hands rather than after a single session.
When to check instead of c-bet
There are times when checking is the higher EV play: very wet boards with many draws, when out of position and lacking blockers, or against opponents who rarely fold. Checking can induce bluffs you can call or raise, and it preserves your stack for future hands where you have clearer edges.
Putting it together: a simple routine at the table
- Identify preflop range advantage — did you open from position or face a cold 3-bet?
- Assess board texture (dry, semi-wet, wet).
- Estimate opponent type and likely calling frequency.
- Choose sizing that aligns with your fold equity needs and future plan.
- Decide the turn plan: will you barrel, pot-control, or fold to pressure?
Final thoughts and a practical promise
Mastering the Continuation bet is less about memorizing tables and more about developing pattern recognition and a plan-driven approach. Over the course of coaching players from break-even to winning, the most impactful change wasn’t a new fancy trick — it was learning to pause for three seconds and run the simple framework above before committing chips.
If you’d like a simple homework assignment to start winning more with your c-bets: review your last 500 preflop raises, categorize flops into dry/semi-wet/wet, and note your win rate when you c-bet versus when you checked. You’ll likely find clear spots to tighten or expand your frequencies.
For additional examples, practice routines, and hand reviews that walk through live decision-making, use the resources I trust: Continuation bet strategies and community discussions can be good starting points to see the concept applied in different formats. Apply these concepts patiently, and your flop win-rate and overall results will follow.
