The continuation bet (c-bet) is one of those fundamental poker moves that every player needs to have in their arsenal. It’s simple by definition: you raise preflop, then follow up with a bet on the flop. 

But as straightforward as it sounds, there’s a lot more going on beneath the surface. Knowing when and how to c-bet can be the difference between winning pots and burning chips. Let’s break it down!

How Many Players in the Hand?

First thing’s first—how many players made it to the flop? If you’ve got multiple opponents, be cautious. The more players in the hand, the more likely someone connected with the flop. In multiway pots, you want to be more honest and straightforward. Bluffing becomes riskier, and you’ll likely find yourself checking more often.

If you’re heads-up or playing against just one or two players, you can afford to widen your c-betting range a bit. But always keep your hand strength and board texture in mind.

Assess Your Opponents

Poker is a game of people just as much as it’s a game of cards. The type of player you’re facing matters when deciding to c-bet. If your opponent calls widely pre-flop but folds a lot post-flop, great! You can fire off more c-bets. But if they’re sticky (i.e., they like to call and see what happens on later streets), you might want to check more, especially if you’re on a draw.

The Exceptions

Of course, no poker rule is without exceptions. Sometimes you’ll want to c-bet with hands that need protection—hands that might be good now but are vulnerable to being outdrawn. 

Let’s say you’ve got 8♠-7♠ on a Q♥-8♦-3♠ flop. Your pair of eights is decent, but overcards (like an ace or king) could easily come and beat you. In this case, a c-bet might be a good way to protect your equity, especially if your opponent is tight and unlikely to raise.

However, be cautious. Betting for protection alone can lead to tricky spots on later streets. It’s better to think of protection as a bonus reason to bet, not the main one.

Board Textures

Now let’s talk board textures. This is where things get fun (and sometimes complicated). Different boards require different c-betting strategies. Here’s a breakdown of common board types and how you should approach them:

• Dry Boards: These boards are unconnected and don’t offer many draw opportunities, like J♥-7♠-2♦. Since your opponents are less likely to have hit these boards, you can c-bet at a high frequency, often with a smaller sizing. Think about 20-25% of the pot—just enough to get them to fold their weaker hands.

• Wet Boards: Wet boards are highly connected and full of draws, such as Q♠-10♠-9♦. You should c-bet less frequently here, using larger sizes (around 50%-75% of the pot). Larger bets make it more expensive for opponents to draw and help protect your equity in hands that are vulnerable to straight or flush draws.

• High Card Boards: Boards like A♣-Q♦-8♠ are more likely to have connected with your opponents’ range. You don’t need to deny as much equity, so if you choose to c-bet, keep your bet size small.

• Low Card Boards: Low card boards, such as 6♣-3♦-2♠, offer a great opportunity to bet big. Your goal is to charge opponents who hold overcards or speculative hands that may improve on later streets.

• Paired Boards: Paired boards (e.g., 10♠-10♥-3♣) give you the green light to c-bet wide and frequently. Your opponents are less likely to have hit these flops, so smaller bets are often enough.

• Monotone Boards: These boards contain cards of all the same suit, such as K♣-6♣-3♣. If your opponent doesn’t have a flush draw, it will be tough for them to continue. Use a larger sizing to charge them if they are drawing to a flush.

C-betting might seem simple on the surface, but there are so many factors to consider. The key is to stay flexible. Sometimes you’ll want to bluff, sometimes you’ll want to protect your hand, and sometimes you’ll need to slow down and check.

By getting comfortable with different board textures and bet sizing, you’ll find yourself making smarter, more profitable c-bets. So the next time you’re in a hand and thinking about whether to fire that c-bet, take a moment to assess the situation—then pull the trigger with confidence!