Continuation Betting in Poker

What is a Continuation Bet?

The continuation bet—commonly called a "c-bet"—is one of the most fundamental and frequently used plays in modern poker. It occurs when the pre-flop aggressor (the player who raised before the flop) makes a bet on the flop, regardless of whether the flop improved their hand. The term comes from "continuing" the story of strength established by the pre-flop raise.

According to research published in Games and Economic Behavior, the continuation bet works because the pre-flop raiser typically has a range advantage—their perceived hand strength is stronger than the caller's range. Combined with the initiative from raising pre-flop and the natural fold equity present in poker, c-betting is profitable even when the flop completely misses the aggressor's hand.

Understanding when and how to c-bet is essential for any serious poker player. As documented by the PokerNews strategy team, the c-bet has evolved significantly over the past decade—from a near-automatic play to a nuanced decision requiring board texture analysis, opponent profiling, and multi-street planning. This guide covers everything from basic c-bet mechanics to advanced barreling strategies.

Why Continuation Betting Works

Range Advantage

The pre-flop raiser typically has a stronger range than the caller. If you open-raise from the cutoff with a standard 20% range and get called by the big blind defending with 30% of hands, your range contains more premium hands like AA, KK, AK, and strong broadways. On most flops, this range advantage translates to equity advantage, making betting profitable even as a bluff. Understanding your table position is crucial for gauging range advantages.

Fold Equity

Most flops miss most hands. With only two cards in hand and three on the board, the probability of flopping a pair or better is roughly 32%. This means approximately 68% of the time, your opponent has missed the flop completely and may fold to any bet. The c-bet capitalizes on this mathematical reality—you're betting into opponents who usually have nothing, which forces them into difficult decisions with unpaired hands.

Initiative and Credibility

By raising pre-flop, you've told a story of strength. The c-bet continues that narrative. When you bet the flop after raising pre-flop, opponents must consider that you could have any strong hand—top pair, overpairs, sets, or better. This credibility creates additional fold equity beyond what a random bet would achieve. The Upswing Poker glossary notes that this perceived range strength is why c-bets remain profitable across all skill levels.

Denial of Equity

When you bet and opponents fold, you deny them the chance to realize their equity on later streets. A hand like 7♥6♥ might have 25% equity against your pocket Queens on a K-9-2 flop, but if they fold to your c-bet, that equity becomes worthless. This equity denial compounds across many hands to significantly improve your win rate.

When to Continuation Bet

Favorable Board Textures

C-bet frequently on boards that favor your perceived range. As the pre-flop raiser, you're perceived to have more big cards, overpairs, and broadway combinations. Dry, high-card boards like K-7-2, A-9-3, or Q-5-4 rainbow heavily favor the raiser's range and warrant c-bet frequencies of 70-85%. For detailed analysis of how board composition affects decisions, see our Reading the Board guide.

Other favorable c-bet scenarios include:

• Boards with one or more high cards (Ace, King, Queen) that connect with your opening range
• Paired boards (like 7-7-3) where your overpairs and high cards dominate
• Monotone flops where you hold the nut flush blocker
• Dry boards with disconnected cards that don't create straight draws

Heads-Up Pots

C-betting is most effective in heads-up pots. With only one opponent to fold, the math strongly favors betting. A small c-bet of 33% pot only needs to work 25% of the time to break even as a pure bluff—and most opponents fold far more often than that. Our heads-up strategy guide covers the aggressive dynamics of one-on-one confrontations.

When You Have Position

C-betting in position is more profitable than out of position. When you act last, you get to see how your opponent responds before committing additional chips. If they call your c-bet, you can control pot size on later streets. If they check-raise, you have immediate information to make a decision. The positional advantage amplifies the already-strong c-bet dynamic.

Against Tight or Passive Opponents

Players who fold too much or rarely raise are ideal c-bet targets. Against someone with a fold-to-c-bet rate above 60%, you should c-bet nearly your entire range on favorable boards. These players surrender equity too easily, making even the weakest c-bet bluffs profitable.

When NOT to Continuation Bet

Unfavorable Board Textures

Some flops favor the caller's range more than yours. If you open from early position and get called by the button, a flop like 8-7-6 two-tone heavily favors the caller's wider range of suited connectors and pocket pairs. On such boards, check more often—sometimes with your entire range—to avoid building pots where you're at a disadvantage.

Multi-Way Pots

When facing two or more opponents, c-bet selectively. The math changes dramatically—you need all remaining players to fold for a bluff to work. If one opponent folds 60% and another folds 50%, your combined fold rate is only 30% (0.6 × 0.5). Reserve multi-way c-bets for strong hands and excellent board textures. See our multi-way pot strategy for detailed coverage.

Against Calling Stations

Some opponents simply refuse to fold. Against players with fold-to-c-bet rates below 40%, bluffing becomes unprofitable. Against these calling stations, shift to a pure value-betting strategy—only c-bet when you expect to be called by worse hands. Our value betting guide explains how to extract maximum chips from these players.

When You Have Showdown Value

With hands that can win at showdown but don't need to build a pot—like middle pair or Ace-high—consider checking. Betting might fold out worse hands while getting called or raised by better ones. Checking retains the option to bluff-catch on later streets and reach showdown cheaply.

When Check-Raising is Better

Sometimes your strongest hands play better as check-raises than as c-bets. If you flop a set in a spot where your opponent will frequently bet if you check, let them build the pot for you. Learn more about this powerful alternative in our check-raising strategy guide.

Continuation Bet Sizing Strategy

Modern Small-Ball Sizing

Contemporary poker strategy favors smaller c-bet sizes than the traditional 60-75% pot bets of previous eras. Research from Two Plus Two poker forums and GTO solver analysis shows that c-bets of 25-40% pot are often optimal. These smaller sizes accomplish several goals: they risk less when bluffing, allow for higher betting frequency, and give opponents worse odds to continue with marginal hands.

Sizing by Board Texture

Sizing Consistency

Use the same sizing for value hands and bluffs on any given board texture. If you bet 33% pot with bluffs but 66% pot with value hands, observant opponents will exploit this pattern. For more on constructing balanced ranges with proper sizing, see our bet sizing strategy guide.

SPR Considerations

Stack-to-pot ratio affects optimal c-bet sizing. In deep-stacked situations (SPR > 10), you have more room to use various sizes and play multiple streets. In low-SPR situations (SPR < 4), even small c-bets can commit you to the pot, so size strategically. Use our SPR calculator to analyze commitment thresholds in specific situations.

Multi-Street Barreling: Double and Triple Barrels

Understanding Barrel Strategy

A "barrel" in poker refers to a bet on each street—the flop c-bet is the first barrel, a turn bet is a double barrel, and a river bet is a triple barrel. Multi-street barreling is how you extract maximum value from strong hands and apply maximum pressure with bluffs. However, each additional street requires careful consideration of board runouts and opponent tendencies.

When to Double Barrel (Second Barrel)

Double barrel when:

• Your hand improves: You pick up a flush draw, straight draw, or make a pair
• Scare cards arrive: Turn cards like an Ace or King that favor your perceived range
• Board pairs: A paired board often benefits the pre-flop raiser's overpair-heavy range
• You have equity: Even when bluffing, having 8+ outs gives you backup if called
• Opponent shows weakness: Quick calls with no thought often indicate marginal holdings

The turn bet typically uses larger sizing (60-75% pot) compared to the flop c-bet. With fewer cards to come, opponents are less willing to call with draws, and your value hands want to build the pot. Use our pot odds calculator to determine optimal turn sizing based on opponent calling ranges.

When to Triple Barrel (Third Barrel)

Triple barreling—betting flop, turn, and river—represents the highest-pressure line in poker. Reserve this for:

• Strong value hands: Top pair good kicker or better that want to get all-in
• Missed draws with blockers: You missed your flush but block the nuts; opponent can't hero-call easily
• Scary river cards: The river completes the flush or straight on board, representing credibly
• Opponents who overfold rivers: Players with fold-to-river-bet rates above 55%

Turn Check: When to Abandon the Story

Not every c-bet should lead to a double barrel. Give up on the turn when:

• Turn cards drastically improve opponent's range (completing obvious draws)
• You have zero equity and no credible story to tell
• Opponent has shown strength (raised flop or called quickly)
• You're against a calling station who won't fold the river anyway

Checking the turn with air hands is not giving up—it's recognizing when the situation doesn't favor continued aggression. You can still bluff the river if a favorable card arrives.

C-Betting in Different Situations

C-Betting as the 3-Bettor

When you've 3-bet pre-flop and get called, you have an even stronger perceived range than a single raise. C-bet at higher frequencies (65-85% on most boards) but with smaller sizing (25-33% pot). The low SPR in 3-bet pots means small bets still apply significant pressure. Your range advantage is substantial on most board textures.

C-Betting Out of Position

C-betting without position requires more discipline. You won't get to see opponent reactions before committing chips. Focus on: betting at high frequency on range-advantaged boards, using smaller sizing than in position, and being prepared to check-fold or check-call on many turns. Checking more often protects your checking range and sets up check-raises.

C-Betting in Tournaments vs Cash Games

Tournament poker requires adjusting c-bet strategy based on ICM pressure and stack depth. Near the bubble or in pay jumps, tighten c-bet ranges because opponents fold more to avoid elimination. Short-stacked, your c-bets often commit your tournament life—be more selective. See our tournament strategy guide for deeper coverage.

C-Betting in Omaha

In Omaha and Omaha Hi-Lo, c-bet less frequently than in Hold'em. With four hole cards each, opponents connect with flops more often and have stronger draws. Reserve c-bets for when you have strong equity (nut draws, sets) or excellent blockers. Boards that favor c-betting in Hold'em may require caution in Omaha.

Defending Against Continuation Bets

Don't Overfold

The biggest leak for many players is folding too often to c-bets. If a small c-bet of 33% pot only needs to work 25% of the time, and you're folding 60%+ of your range, you're being exploited. Defend with more hands—including floats (calling with intent to take the pot later), raises, and check-calls with pairs and draws.

Float the Flop

Floating means calling a c-bet in position with the intention of taking the pot away on later streets, regardless of hand strength. This works best against opponents who c-bet frequently but don't follow through on the turn. When they check the turn, a bet from you often takes the pot. Use our bluffing strategy guide for more floating tactics.

Check-Raise the C-Bettor

Check-raising is the most powerful counter to aggressive c-bettors. Against someone c-betting 75%+ of flops, develop a balanced check-raising range with strong hands, draws, and some bluffs. The threat of a check-raise forces opponents to tighten their c-bet ranges and give up more free cards.

Call with Position

When you have position, calling c-bets becomes more profitable. You get to see opponent actions on later streets before deciding your line. Many pots are won by simply calling the flop c-bet and taking the pot when they check the turn.

Common C-Betting Mistakes

Tools for C-Bet Analysis

Several of our calculators can help you analyze and improve your c-betting strategy:

• Post-Flop Decision Trainer – Practice c-bet decisions with interactive scenarios and instant feedback
• Expected Value Calculator – Calculate whether your c-bet is profitable given fold equity and showdown equity
• Pot Odds Calculator – Determine optimal sizing to give opponents incorrect odds for drawing
• Hand Range Visualizer – See which hands are in your range vs opponent's range on various boards
• SPR Calculator – Understand commitment thresholds for planning multi-street aggression
• Outs Calculator – Count outs when deciding whether to barrel with draws

Key Takeaways

Responsible Gambling

Poker strategy concepts like continuation betting should be learned for educational purposes and entertainment. When playing for real money, always gamble responsibly within your means. For resources and support, visit the National Council on Problem Gambling or contact their helpline at 1-800-522-4700. The American Gaming Association also provides responsible gaming resources and educational materials.

Frequently Asked Questions

Related Strategy Guides