C-Bet (Continuation Bet)
What a C-Bet Is and Why You Use It
A C-Bet, short for continuation bet, is a flop bet by the player who raised pre-flop. It carries the preflop story onto the flop and pressures opponents to fold hands that missed. Even when your own hand didn’t improve, a c-bet can take the pot before another card is dealt. Your preflop raise already advertised a stronger range than the caller’s, and the c-bet leans on that perceived range.
Example: You raise from late position with K♠Q♠, get one caller, and see K♦7♣2♠ on the flop. A C-Bet represents a king and often takes the pot, even without top pair every time.
For the board-by-board strategy split, read when to c-bet the flop.
Key Factors to Decide Whether to C-Bet
When choosing to C-Bet, weigh three main factors:
- Opponent tendencies. Versus frequent callers or “sticky” players who rarely fold, C-bets lose value. Versus tight or exploitable players who fold to aggression, C-bets gain value. Example: Versus a loose caller who defends wide pre-flop, bluff C-bets on many flops will be called. Versus a tight player, the same bluff often wins the pot.
- Board texture. Dry flops (low, unconnected cards or a lone high card) favor C-bets because they rarely improve calling ranges. Wet or coordinated boards (connected cards or many flush/straight draws) require caution because more hands can continue. Example: A♣8♦3♠ is a dry flop. J♠10♠9♣ is wet and hits many ranges.
- Range interaction. Consider how the flop connects with your perceived raising range versus the caller’s likely holdings. C-bet more when the flop favors your range. Check or use selective bets when it favors the caller.
How to Size Your C-Bet
Match your size to the situation.
- On dry boards, use smaller bets to conserve chips while still applying pressure. Small sizes deny only a little equity but often win the pot.
- On wet or coordinated boards, use larger sizes to protect against many draws and deny equity to continuing hands.
- Always factor in stack depth and opponent willingness to continue; deeper stacks or stubborn callers may need sizing adjustments.
Example: If the flop offers many draws, raise your bet to make draws pay more to see the turn. On a single-card, unconnected flop, a modest bet preserves chips while still threatening the pot.
Using C-Bets for Bluffs and Value
Balance bluff and value lines.
- Bluff when the board disfavors most of the caller’s range. Prefer hands with blockers (cards in your hand that reduce opponents’ strong combinations) or with backdoor potential (possible draws on later streets). Example: Holding A♣5♣ on K♦7♣2♠, your ace blocks many strong ace-containing hands, and backdoor clubs let you barrel turns.
- Value-bet when the flop improves your hand and your range advantage means opponents will call with worse. Example: You hit middle pair on a dry board against an opponent whose calling range is wide; bet for value.
Mix bluffs and value to avoid predictability and exploit opponents who fold too often.
Planning Multi-Street C-Bet Strategies
Before betting the flop, plan turn and river actions.
- Use double or triple-barrel sequences when the runout and opponent tendencies support continued pressure. Plan how later cards change range interactions.
- Reassess every street: note opponent reactions, pot size, and how turn or river cards alter equities.
- Be ready to give up when the opponent shows strong resistance or when later cards complete obvious draws.
Example: You C-Bet a dry flop and face a raise on the turn after a scary card. Often you should release a bluff unless you hold strong equity or meaningful blockers.
Quick checklist
- Maintain initiative but avoid automatic C-bets; evaluate opponent and board each time.
- Match your sizing to board texture and opponent tendencies.
- Use blockers and backdoor equity when selecting C-bet bluffs.
- Plan multi-street lines before betting the flop, and be ready to adjust.