C betting in poker is a strategy used by players to maintain their aggressiveness after raising preflop. It involves continuing to bet on the flop whether your hand connects with it or not, forcing opponents to call your bets and risk losing their stronger hands. This strategy is especially effective against tight players who tend to fold to bluffing attempts. However, c-betting can be risky when multiple opponents are involved, and it is important to take the number of players into account before deciding whether or not to make a bet.
Continuation betting is an effective way to increase your average stack size and win more pots, as it forces opponents to call your bets with weaker hands. It can also be a good way to play your strong hands for value, as it gives opponents less information about the strength of your hand than slow-playing. However, it is important to vary your c-betting frequency to avoid getting predictable and give your opponents a clear pattern of your behavior.
There are a few factors to consider when making a c-bet, including the type of opponent you’re facing and their habits. A tricky aggressive player who likes to play back at you can be a tough opponent to bluff against, so it’s best to keep your c-betting frequencies low against these players. It’s also a good idea to limit your c-bets when playing against loose players who are more likely to fold to your bluffs.
Another factor to consider when deciding whether or not to c-bet is the amount of action in the pot. Generally, the more players there are, the less often it’s a good idea to c-bet, as it will be more difficult to fool all of them with your bluffs. In these situations, it’s usually better to make a bet with your strong hands, and you can always check down on the turn and river if you miss.
It’s also important to consider the board texture when deciding to c-bet. Wet boards with lots of potential draws or strong hands are not ideal for c-betting, as you’ll be more likely to run into an opponent who has a big hand. On the other hand, dry boards are good candidates for c-betting as they’ll prevent your opponents from making big bets on the flop.
One last thing to consider when deciding whether or not to make a c-bet is the size of your bet. A smaller bet is more difficult to read, while a bigger bet is easier for your opponents to call. You should aim for a bet size that suits your style and fits the board texture, as this will make it more difficult for your opponents to read your intentions. The ideal bet size for c-betting varies depending on the specific type of board, but it should be consistent enough that your opponents don’t realize that you’re making your c-bets with a value hand or a bluff.
