Betting actions
Continuation bet (c-bet) in poker
Definition
A bet on the flop by the player who raised before the flop, continuing the initiative whether or not the flop helped.
The c-bet works because the preflop raiser is expected to have a strong range, so opponents often fold. It is typically more profitable on dry boards, where the caller is less likely to have connected.
Betting every flop is easy to exploit: good players adjust the frequency and the size of the c-bet to the board and the opponent.
Example
You raise from the button with A♠Q♦ and miss a flop of 8♣4♦2♠; a small continuation bet takes the pot if the caller folds.
Related terms
- 3-betThe second raise before the flop: the big blind counts as the first bet, the open-raise as the second and the re-raise as the third.
- FlopThe first three community cards, dealt together after the first betting round.
- BluffA bet or raise made with a weak hand to make better hands fold.
- Dry boardA board with few possible draws, usually unconnected cards of different suits, such as K♠7♦2♣.
- Wet boardA board with many possible draws, usually connected cards of the same suits, such as J♥10♥8♠.