C-Bet

Continuous Bet (C-Bet)

The Continuation Bet (C-Bet) is one of the most common aggressive strategies in Texas Hold'em. It refers to a player who made the last raise before the flop (usually the preflop raiser) choosing to bet again on the flop regardless of whether they hit the board. The core purpose is to leverage the strong range represented by the preflop raise, putting pressure on opponents to fold and thus win the pot outright.

Principle

A C-Bet is typically based on three elements: the preflop raiser is perceived to have a wide or strong range; the flop misses the opponent's range with high probability (e.g., the flop has poor connectivity with the opponent's hand); and the bet generates "fold equity." Generally, when the preflop raiser C-bets on the flop, opponents will fold about 50%–70% of their hands, especially on dry flops with no possible straights or flush draws.

Advantages and Disadvantages

• Advantages: Establishes an aggressive image; can end the hand with a single bet, avoiding complex decisions later; when holding a strong hand, quickly builds the pot.
• Disadvantages: Overuse can be exploited by opponents, leading to calls or raises; success rate drops significantly in multi-way pots; on wet boards (e.g., connected cards, suited cards) C-bets are more likely to be called by drawing hands, potentially losing value over the long run.

Considerations

• C-bet frequency should be adjusted dynamically based on board texture, opponent type, position, and the preflop raising range. For example, as the preflop raiser on the button against the blinds, the C-bet frequency is usually higher than when in early position.
• When holding a strong hand, the C-bet should use an appropriate bet sizing (typically 50%–75% of the pot) to balance value and bluffs.
• After being called on the flop, strategy adjustments on the turn and river are usually necessary to avoid blindly continuation betting.