C-Betting Strategy: When and How to Continuation Bet

Continuation betting well comes down to three questions: does the board favor my range, am I in or out of position, and what size accomplishes my goal? Get those right and the auto-pilot "c-bet every flop" habit turns into a real strategy.

Does the board favor you?

As the preflop raiser you usually hold more big cards and overpairs. On high, dry boards (like K-7-2) that range advantage is strong, so you can c-bet a wide range, often small. On low, connected boards (like 7-6-5) the caller's range catches up or pulls ahead, so you should c-bet less and more selectively.

Position

In position, c-bet more freely — you'll see the turn with information and control the pot. Out of position, c-bet a tighter, more deliberate range, because you'll be guessing first on later streets.

Sizing

• Small c-bets suit dry boards and wide ranges: cheap, frequent pressure.
• Large c-bets suit polarized spots on wet boards: charge draws, build the pot with strong hands.

Your size shapes which of the opponent's hands continue, so pick it for the range you want to face on the turn.

When to check

Check to protect your checking range (so it isn't all weakness), to pot-control marginal hands, and on boards that smash the caller. Checking some strong hands keeps you from being exploited when you do check.

Common mistakes

• C-betting 100% of flops regardless of texture.
• Using a single size for everything.
• Never checking strong hands, leaving your checking range capped.