What Is a Continuation Bet (C-Bet)? Complete Guide to C-Betting Strategy

A continuation bet (c-bet) is when the preflop aggressor bets again on the flop, maintaining initiative regardless of whether they improved. C-betting allows you to apply pressure with a range advantage, build pots with value hands, and deny equity to drawing hands. Understanding when and how to c-bet separates winning players from break-even grinders, especially when you pair solver-backed frequencies with real-time table dynamics.

What Is a Continuation Bet?

The continuation bet is poker's most common postflop action. Because you raised preflop, you represent strength and often hold more premium hands (overpairs, top pairs) than your opponent. Even when you miss completely, the c-bet forces your opponent to defend correctly or surrender equity immediately. The key is balancing your c-betting range between value hands that want to build the pot and bluffs that fold out better holdings.

• Range advantage: The preflop raiser typically connects harder with high-card flops, justifying frequent c-bets.
• Initiative advantage: Betting keeps control and forces your opponent into reactive mode.
• Denial of equity: C-betting charges drawing hands and prevents free cards that could outdraw you.

Why C-Betting Works

1. Most Flops Miss Most Ranges

In a single-raised pot, both players miss the flop roughly 65% of the time. When you c-bet as the preflop aggressor, you force your opponent to fold unpaired hands or continue with marginal holdings at a disadvantage. This fold equity compounds over thousands of hands and becomes a major profit source.

2. You Can Represent More Premium Hands

Opening ranges contain more overpairs, top pairs, and strong broadways than calling ranges. When a K♠7♥2♣ flop appears, the preflop raiser credibly represents KK, AK, and all Kx combinations, while the caller's range is capped. This imbalance justifies high c-bet frequencies even with air.

3. GTO Says to C-Bet Frequently

Solver outputs recommend c-betting 50–70% of your range on most dry to semi-connected boards. These frequencies are tuned to stay unexploitable while maximizing EV. For a deep dive into how solvers calculate these outputs, review our poker solvers guide.

When Should You Continuation Bet?

1. Evaluate Board Texture

Dry, static boards (K♦7♠2♥, A♣9♦4♠) favor the preflop raiser and support aggressive, high-frequency c-betting. Wet, coordinated boards (9♥8♥7♣, Q♠J♠T♦) connect more with the caller's range, so you should check more and c-bet smaller when you do bet.

2. Respect Position

In position, c-bet more frequently with smaller sizes because you can realize equity better on later streets. Out of position, c-bet larger to deny implied odds and polarize your range sooner. Position-aware adjustments mirror the concepts in our GTO fundamentals guide.

3. Account for Stack Depth

Deep stacks (100bb+) encourage smaller c-bets and more range betting to control pot geometry. Shorter stacks (20–40bb) benefit from larger, commitment-oriented c-bets that simplify turn and river decisions. For tournament contexts, pair this with ICM poker strategy so you avoid over-committing near pay jumps.

Optimal C-Bet Sizing

Modern solvers favor smaller c-bet sizes—typically 25–40% pot—because they achieve similar fold equity while risking less. Larger sizes (50–75% pot) are reserved for polar boards where you want to deny equity or commit to a pot-sized turn shove. Your sizing tree should match the textures you face most often, creating consistency that's harder to exploit.

Example: Button Opens, Big Blind Calls

Scenario: 100bb effective, button opens 2.5bb with A♣Q♥, big blind calls. Flop: Q♠7♦3♣.

Takeaway: Your c-bet range must blend enough value to punish floats and enough bluffs to stay balanced. This equilibrium prevents opponents from exploiting you with pure folds or pure calls.

C-Betting Out of Position

When you open from early position and get called by the button, c-bet frequencies drop because you cannot realize equity as effectively. Focus on larger sizes (50–66% pot) with a tighter, more value-heavy range, and check more marginal hands to induce bluffs or control pot size. Out-of-position c-betting requires more discipline—revisit our range construction primer to build leak-free strategies.

Common C-Betting Mistakes

1. C-betting 100% of your range. Always betting makes you predictable and allows opponents to raise or float profitably. Mix checks with strong hands to protect your checking range.
2. Using one bet size for every board. Texture-blind sizing leaks information and leaves money on the table. Drill multiple sizes inside GTO Gecko to build adaptability.
3. Ignoring opponent tendencies. GTO is the baseline, but exploits multiply your win rate. If the population over-folds to c-bets, increase bluff frequency. If they never fold, tighten to value-only. Learn when to deviate in our GTO deviation article.
4. Giving up too quickly. Single c-bets often aren't enough to win the pot. Plan multi-street barrels with your strongest value hands and best bluffs, using blockers to maximize fold equity. Our blocker guide shows how removal effects inform these decisions.

Balancing Your C-Bet Range

A balanced c-bet range contains a mix of:

• Value hands: Top pair or better that benefit from building the pot and protecting against draws.
• Semi-bluffs: Draws with equity (flush draws, straight draws, overcards) that can improve on later streets.
• Pure bluffs: Air hands with blockers (A-high, K-high) that block opponent's continuing range and occasionally backdoor into winners.

Balancing prevents opponents from exploiting you by always folding or always calling. When your c-bet could be the nuts or air, you force difficult decisions that tilt EV in your favor.

How to Study C-Betting Effectively

1. Run single-raised pot sims in GTO Gecko. Focus on button vs. big blind at 100bb to cover the highest-frequency scenario.
2. Compare c-bet vs. check EV. Identify boards where checking back is higher EV than betting, and memorize the texture patterns.
3. Drill sizing trees. Practice using 33%, 50%, and 75% sizes and note which hands prefer which size.
4. Review live sessions. Tag every c-bet decision and compare your frequency to solver recommendations. Adjust exploitatively when population tendencies are clear.

C-Bet FAQ

Should I always c-bet when I have top pair?

No. On wet boards or out of position, checking top pair to control pot size or induce bluffs is often correct. Use solvers to identify these check-back spots.

What is a good c-bet frequency?

On neutral to dry boards, target 50–70% c-bet frequency in position. Out of position, tighten to 40–55%. Adjust based on board texture and opponent tendencies.

How do I know if my c-bet is too large?

If you're betting more than 50% pot on boards where you plan to c-bet your entire range, you're likely over-sizing. Smaller bets achieve similar results with less risk.

Can I c-bet with nothing?

Yes, but choose hands with backdoor equity or blockers (A-high, K-high) to maximize fold equity and retain outs when called. Pure junk without equity rarely c-bets profitably.

When to Double Barrel After C-Betting

Not every c-bet needs a follow-up. Plan your turn action before you fire the flop:

• Value hands: Barrel again on most runouts to build the pot and protect equity.
• Strong draws: Semi-bluff turns that improve your equity or apply maximum pressure.
• Pure bluffs: Give up unless you pick up equity or a blocker-heavy board makes your story credible.

Multi-street aggression separates elite players from auto-pilots. Study turn textures in GTO Gecko and map out which cards justify barrels and which demand check-backs.

Your Next Steps

Load a button vs. big blind configuration in GTO Gecko, simulate 20 common flop textures, and drill c-bet frequencies until they become automatic. Pay special attention to boards where you should check strong hands to protect your range. Combine this study with our 3-bet guide for preflop aggression and GTO fundamentals to build an unshakeable postflop foundation. The sharper your c-bet game, the faster your win rate climbs.