When to c-bet?

C-bet? What is it? It is continuation bet, a simple bet, which follows your open raise pre-flop

When to c-bet?


If we only look what the board looks like, you should nearly always fire your c-bet. On a flop, where's A, K, Q, J, draws... Well, c-bet is usually working. By cbetting you can actually make your opponent to fold, but, on the contrary, you can also add some value for your hand (you hit a top pair, aces, and of course, want your opponent to call. That's why you cbet, even if you don't hit.)

Cbetting is easy, but the MOST important question is, when not to c-bet:


- On a multiway pot
You openraise, and there's 2 more players joining the pot. You miss the flop. Don't bet, even if your opponents check. You can make your bet only, if you hit something (top-pair, nut-flush draw, open end straight draw etc.), or if your opponents always fold on a bet without hand.

- Against calling stations
These guys love to play their hands to the end. Whenever you miss the flop, you shouldn't increase the pot, coz they won't fold. Just stay passive and hope for a hit. Of course, if you hit, you can bet 3 streets.


-Against maniacs
You can't cbet with air against them. They will raise you flop or turn, with any two, and then you're in trouble. Add value only with a hit, and let them to give their stack for you!

-On a drawy board (w/o hand)
Flop is 3 hearts, you opponent just called your opening. IF you don't have any hearts there (and your opponent is a thinking player), don't put any money to the pot. If you had sth like Kh there, then you could make one bet.

Less you lose, more you spare part. I

This is one of the biggest truth in poker that isn't that visible for a random player on poker: Every saved penny is worth a dollar in the future. Why? Coz you will lose little by little your dimes on poker, if you don't concentrate on your game. It's not that bad on micro levels, but when playing against better opponents and trying to gain edge against them it is a lot more important. Here's my tips for you to make yourself lose less and win more:

1. Be patient!

Probably the most common problem among new players. When you're not dealt good hands for a while, you start to play with some trash (and some times out of position, OOP!), which makes you to lose more money in the long run. For instance, you play 72 hands on a table. You haven't have any good hands and only stole some money on late position. You have A7o on a loose table, and you decide to make the open raise on MP1 (Full Table). Someone after you 3-bets. What can you do with that hand? Fold it.

So wait for your moment and take advantage of your weak opponents. Steal the blinds, make the cbet.. And you'll do fine. Besides, when you finally manage to hit your good hand, your opponents won't believe you as easily as they would if you had played only 1/72 hands, right?

2. Don't be sleepy

Well.. When your tired or drunk, you shouldn't play at all. You can't play your "A-game", can't make the right reads and usually you're impatient too. So avoid playing in this state. You might win once with a lucky hit, but losing 4 times for that isn't good enough. So be sharp.

Same goes when you're quite energetic, but a bit bored with playing poker. There's the place for a break, and after that you can multitable for a while.

This serie will go on one tip at a time, so here's the opening two. More will come soon!