A continuation bet is a bet on the flop made by the player who raised before it. It works because the raiser's range contains more strong hands, and because most flops miss most hands.
The tactic was once close to automatic. It no longer is: opponents defend more, and the profitable version depends on the board, the number of players and the position of the raiser.
Which Flops Favour the Raiser
The question is never whether the flop hit your two cards. It is whether the flop fits the range you raised with better than the range that called.
| Flop | Favours | Usual approach |
|---|---|---|
| [pokeraddict_cards cards="As 8d 3c"] | The raiser | Small bet at a high frequency |
| [pokeraddict_cards cards="Kh 7s 2d"] | The raiser | Small bet; few hands continue against it |
| [pokeraddict_cards cards="9h 8h 7c"] | The caller | Check much of the range; bet larger when betting |
| [pokeraddict_cards cards="6s 5d 4h"] | The caller | Check most hands, including some strong ones |
| [pokeraddict_cards cards="Qc Qd 4s"] | Neither clearly | Small bet, as few hands improved |
Choosing a Size
- On dry boards, a quarter to a third of the pot is usually enough; the hands that fold will fold to anything.
- On connected boards, bet closer to two-thirds when betting at all, because draws need to pay a price.
- Use the same size for value hands and bluffs within the same board type, so the size itself is uninformative.
- Think one street ahead: the flop size should leave a sensible turn bet, as set out on the bet sizing page.
Checking as a Plan
Checking the flop is not surrender. A range that always bets is a range that can be attacked, and some strong hands are worth checking precisely so the checking range is not only weak hands.
- Range bet
- Betting every hand in the range at a small size, used on boards that strongly favour the raiser.
- Delayed continuation bet
- Checking the flop and betting the turn, which works well when the flop favoured the caller and the turn does not.
- Double barrel
- A second bet on the turn. It needs a reason — a card that improves your range or damages theirs.
- Giving up
- Checking the turn and river with a hand that cannot win at showdown. Deciding this early saves more money than any bluff wins.
Out of Position
A continuation bet from out of position faces the whole hand without the information that position provides. It should be made less often and with more care, for the reasons set out on the position page.
- Bet hands that want protection and hands that can keep betting on later streets.
- Check hands that can call comfortably, rather than betting and facing a raise.
- Expect to be floated — called by weak hands intending to take the pot later — and plan the turn before betting the flop.
Frequently Asked Questions
How often should I continuation bet?
It depends entirely on the board. On high, dry flops a very high frequency at a small size is reasonable; on low connected flops, checking most of the range is the stronger plan.
Should I bet when I flop nothing?
Sometimes, and preferably with a hand that holds a backdoor draw or a useful blocker. Betting every missed flop is the habit that made the tactic unprofitable in the first place.
What is a float?
A call made with a weak hand, in position, intending to take the pot on a later street when the opponent gives up. It is the standard counter to frequent continuation betting.