Continbet: Unleashing the Power of the Wildest Bet in Poker

The world of poker is vast and thrilling, filled with strategies and maneuvers that can make even the savviest of players scratch their heads. Amidst the myriad techniques at a player’s disposal, the continuation bet, or “continbet”, stands out as one of the most potent. Let’s delve into this tactic and learn how to use it effectively.

What is a continuation bet in poker?

A continuation bet, often abbreviated as c-bet, is a bet made by the last preflop aggressor (usually the raiser) on the following street, regardless of whether their hand has improved or not. The essence of the c-bet is to continue showing strength and to capitalize on the initiative gained from the preflop aggression, thereby putting pressure on the opponent.

Continuation bet and types of flops

The effectiveness of a c-bet is often influenced by the type of flop:

1. Dry Flop: These are flops that aren’t interconnected and have low potential for straights or flushes, e.g., J-4-2 with different suits. Continuation betting is often effective here, as it’s unlikely your opponent connected with such a board.
2. Wet Flop: Flops with potential for straights, flushes, or multiple hand combinations, e.g., 9-10-J of mixed suits. C-betting on wet flops requires more caution, as there’s a higher likelihood an opponent could have a strong hand or draw.
3. Monotone and Paired Flops: These are boards with all same-suited cards or two cards of the same rank. Such flops can be tricky, and the decision to c-bet largely depends on your hand and your read of the opponent.

How to decide on a continuation bet

Several factors influence the decision to c-bet:

1. Opponent’s Playing Style: If your opponent is passive or folds often to bets post-flop, a c-bet can be profitable.
2. Board Texture: As mentioned, dry boards are more conducive to c-bets than wet ones.
3. Your Hand Strength: While c-betting doesn’t require a strong hand, having some equity (like a backdoor draw or overcards) can be beneficial.
4. Position: C-betting is generally more effective when in position, as you can gain more information from your opponent’s action.

Contin bet on the turn

If your c-bet on the flop gets called, you face a decision on the turn. You can either check, indicating a surrender of your aggression, or fire another bet to continue showing strength. Your decision should be based on the turn card, the potential hand ranges of your opponent, and the size of the pot.

What is barreling?

Barreling refers to making consecutive bets on multiple streets, typically the flop and turn, or the turn and river. It’s essentially an extension of the c-bet. Double or triple barreling involves continuing to bet on the turn and possibly the river, often as a bluff, to make opponents fold hands better than yours.

How to learn postflop play?

Mastering postflop play, including effective c-betting, requires a combination of study and practice:

1. Hand Analysis: Review your played hands or discuss them with experienced players. This helps in understanding mistakes and improving future decisions.
2. Educational Content: There are myriad poker training websites, books, and videos that delve deep into postflop strategies.
3. Practice: As with any skill, the more you practice postflop play, the more adept you’ll become. Online poker platforms or friendly home games can serve as good training grounds.

The continuation bet is a powerful weapon in a poker player’s arsenal. But, like any tool, its effectiveness depends on its wielder’s skill and judgment. By understanding the nuances of different flops, assessing situations correctly, and practicing consistently, you can transform the “wildest bet” into your secret weapon at the tables.