Continuation Bets Explained
Continuation bets are made on the flop after a pre flop raise. Continuation bets have multiple uses and can be used in various card games which makes it perfect for complex mixed games like 8 Game Poker and 7 Game Poker. If a player raises pre flop and misses there are many times where a continuation should be made to take down the pot. If a player hits the flop they can use the continuation bet to start the process of getting max value from their hand. It is much harder to effectively make c-bets when you miss the flop than it is to make them when you are going for value. As a result most players get hung up on when to c-bet and when not to c-bet.
When to c-bet
When you raise pre flop and connect, it is almost always a good idea to lead out on the flop. An exception to this would be when your opponent is passive aggressive. Not much point in risking pushing a guy off of a hand if he would have otherwise bet it himself. These players are the ideal choice for a check raise. If you are playing against a standard player, however, you should be betting out. Lead flop bets after pre flop raises are often misread as c-bets with nothing. People like to tell themselves that you are trying to steal the pot. Many players will call your flop c-bet with the intention of floating you. Others will call because they truly have a decent hand. Ideally you will be c-betting against these types of players when you yourself have flopped a solid hand.
It is also a good idea to c-bet when you miss the flop. The “continuation” aspect of the c-bet is the most important part. You need to continue with the same aggression that you demonstrated pre flop with more aggression on the flop. One of the main reasons that open limping is a terrible idea pre flop is that it eliminates the option for you to c-bet the flop. When you have taken the upper hand by raising pre flop you should capitalize on this perceived strength by betting when you can knock the other player(s) out of the hand. This is not to say that you should bet every flop, that would be a disaster, but you should bet when there is a reasonable chance that you can take down the pot. You should have a range assigned to your opponents pre flop, if the majority of that range misses the flop you should be making a c-bet.
When not to c-bet
Never c-bet a calling station unless you made a decent hand on the flop (or had a solid hand pre flop.) C-betting a calling station is nothing more than a great way to waste your money. It serves no purpose and is backed by no logic. Think about it, if a c-bet is made to push a player off of a hand, what good will it do to c-bet someone who never folds?
If the flop likely helped the other player, simply abandon the c-bet. If you get 3-bet by a tight player with pocket 8s and the flop comes A K J you should be checking it back. Hopefully you were in position, if not you should have just folded pre flop. Regardless, pretend you are out of position and you are first to act after the flop. You needed to hit an 8, all overs came and hit his range extremely hard. Cut your losses and check, he isn’t folding any better hands.