What is a C-Bet?

A c-bet is a bet on a later street by the player who took the last aggressive action on the previous street. In cash games that is usually the preflop raiser betting the flop. If you opened to 2.5bb, everyone folded to the big blind who called, and you bet 3bb into 6bb on the flop, that bet is a c-bet. If you check, you did not c-bet.

HUD C-Bet% is a statistic: how often a player makes that bet. It is not the play. This page teaches the play. Do not treat a HUD number as a target you must hit.

A delayed c-bet is a bet on a later street after you checked the flop. That is a different line. A probe or a donk is a bet from the player who did not take the last aggression.

What a c-bet is

• The flop (or later) bet by the last aggressor, usually the preflop raiser.
• Typical heads-up size: about one-third to two-thirds of the pot.
• HUD C-Bet% is a stat about frequency. It is not this definition.

How much to c-bet (sizing)

These are starting points in a heads-up pot, not solver output and not a 3-bet sizing table.

Do not invent a HUD target frequency. Size from board, position, and whether it is heads-up or multiway.

Which boards to c-bet vs check

Bet more when the flop favors the raiser's range. Check more when the flop favors the caller, when it is multiway, or when you have no plan if they raise.

Do not copy an UTG-versus-button 3-bet range table here.

Range advantage vs nut advantage

Range advantage means more of your range is ahead of theirs on this flop — often why the preflop raiser c-bets Ace-high. Nut advantage means more of the very best hands (sets, the nut flush) sit in one player's range.

You can have range advantage and still check some hands when they have the nuts more often, or when a bet gets you raised off the best medium hand. Do not write a linear-versus-polar 3-bet lecture here.

Example spots

Spot 1: C-bet a board that favors your range

You raise to 3bb from the cutoff with A♠K♠. The big blind calls. The flop comes K♦7♣2♥. The pot is 7bb. This board favors your range: you have all the overpairs, top pairs, and sets, while the big blind mostly has weak pairs and draws. Bet about half the pot, 3.5bb. Your hand is strong enough to value bet, and the bet also folds out hands like QJ or 98 that might catch up on the turn. If the big blind calls, you can slow down on many turns and evaluate.

Spot 2: Check back a connected board in multiway pot

You raise to 3bb from the button with A♣Q♦. Both blinds call. The flop comes 9♠8♠7♦. The pot is 9bb. This board is terrible for your range: it hits the blinds' calling ranges hard with straights, two pairs, and flush draws. Your hand has almost no equity if called, and you have no range advantage. Check back. You get a free card to hit an ace or queen, and you avoid getting check-raised off your equity. If the turn checks to you again, you can consider a delayed c-bet if the board gets safer.

When not to c-bet

• When the board misses your range and hits the caller's range. If the flop is coordinated with low cards (e.g., 8♠7♠6♦) and you raised from early position, the caller's range connects far more often. A c-bet here is a bluff into a strong range, and you will get called or raised often.

• In multiway pots. Every additional caller reduces your fold equity and increases the chance someone has a piece of the board. C-betting into three or more opponents with air is usually spew. Check and give up unless you have a strong made hand or a big draw.

• Out of position against a skilled opponent. When you are in the big blind and raised preflop, c-betting into a good player who called from the button is risky. They will float you with a wide range and attack on later streets. Checking can induce bluffs or let you see a free turn.

• When you have a hand that can check-call or check-raise. If you flop a monster like a set or two pair, sometimes checking is better to let your opponent bet. This protects your checking range and can win a bigger pot.

• When the turn or river changes the board drastically. A c-bet on the flop is standard, but if the turn brings a card that completes obvious draws (e.g., a flush or straight card), you should often check instead of firing a second barrel with a marginal hand.

Facing a raise

If they raise your c-bet, fold air. Continue with the top of your value and with draws that have a plan. A small c-bet that gets raised is not a reason to call with a weak pair by default.

If they call, the turn is a new street: barrel when the card favors you, or give up when it does not. A delayed c-bet after a flop check is allowed later — it is not this flop stab.

If the opponent calls your c-bet

When your c-bet gets called, the opponent's range narrows to hands that can continue: top pair, draws, or slow-played monsters. On the turn, you need to reassess. If you have a strong made hand, you can bet again for value. If you have a bluff, you need to decide if you have enough equity to fire a second barrel or if you should give up. A common mistake is to keep bluffing with no plan. If the turn is a blank and your hand has no showdown value, you can check and give up, or occasionally bluff if the turn card is scary for your opponent's range.

If the opponent raises your c-bet

A raise on the flop is a strong signal. In a single-raised pot, the opponent usually has a strong made hand or a big draw. You should fold most of your bluffs and weak made hands. With top pair or better, you can call and see the turn, but be prepared to fold if the board gets worse. With a monster like a set, you can re-raise or call and let them hang themselves. Do not auto-fold to every raise, but do not call down with air either.

Common mistakes

• C-betting every flop. Many players fire a c-bet on every flop just because they raised preflop. This is a leak because it ignores board texture and opponent tendencies. You should check some flops, especially when the board favors the caller's range.

• Using the same size every time. Betting half the pot with a strong hand and one-third with a bluff makes your hand readable. Vary your sizing based on the board and your hand strength, but keep it consistent within a hand class.

• C-betting into multiple opponents with air. Fold equity drops dramatically in multiway pots. A c-bet into three players is rarely profitable unless you have a strong draw or a made hand.

• Ignoring position. C-betting out of position is riskier because you will be out of position on later streets. If you are in the big blind and raised, you should c-bet less often and with a stronger range.

• Firing multiple barrels without a plan. A c-bet on the flop is just the first step. If you plan to bluff, you need to know which turn and river cards you will continue on. If you just bet the flop and give up on the turn, you waste chips.

• Not balancing your checking range. If you only check when you miss, observant opponents will bet every time you check. Check some strong hands to protect your checking range and make your c-bets more effective.

Frequently asked questions

What is a c-bet in poker?

A bet on the next street by the player who took the last aggressive action, usually the preflop raiser betting the flop. HUD C-Bet% is a statistic about how often someone does that play, not the definition of the play. How large is a typical c-bet?

Most heads-up flop c-bets cluster around one-third to two-thirds of the pot. Smaller on dry boards that favor you; larger when you need folds or the board is wet. Multiway, size and frequency both tighten. Should I c-bet in multiway pots?

Generally, you should c-bet less often in multiway pots. Each additional caller reduces your fold equity and increases the chance someone has a piece of the board. Only c-bet with strong made hands or big draws, and prefer checking with air or weak pairs. What is a delayed c-bet?

A delayed c-bet is a bet on the turn after checking the flop as the preflop aggressor. It can be effective when the flop was bad for your range but the turn card improves your range or misses your opponent. It also balances your checking range and can take down pots when your opponent shows weakness. How does position affect c-betting?

Position matters a lot. In position, you can c-bet more often because you get to see the opponent's reaction and control the pot size. Out of position, you should c-bet less frequently and with a stronger range, because you will be at a disadvantage on later streets if called. What is a float in relation to c-betting?

A float is when an opponent calls your c-bet with a weak hand or air, planning to take the pot away on a later street if you check. Floats are more common against predictable c-bettors. To counter floats, you can check strong hands or bet the turn with a balanced range.