What is a Continuation Bet?

A Continuation Bet is kind of a bluff, but it continues previous aggression with a raise. As an example lets say I made a Preflop Raise because of 2 high cards and the flop brought no help to improve my hand, so I have no "Made Hand".

With good timing in the right moment I can continue my aggression with a Continuation Bet. The aim of a Continuation Bet is to make my opponent fold his hand with my bet. In most cases the flop also didn't help my opponent to improve his hand and because you showed aggression before the flop, to continuing this aggression after the flop is quite believable. This kind of play has the advantage that it`s very hard for most of your opponents to realize it`s a bluff. You already did send a signal with your preflop raise that you`re holding a strong hand. If you continue your aggressive kind of play with a Continuation Bet you will have a good chance to make your opponent fold his hand and take the pot right away.

When do I make a Continuation Bet?

The most important consideration for a Continuation Bet is the number of your opponents on the flop. You should only make a Continuation Bet vs. a maximum of 2 other players. If there are 3 or even more players in the hand I wouldn't suggest a Continuation Bet. The risk that at least one of your opponents already made his hand with the flop is too high. In this case you can assume your Continuaton Bet will get called by one player. It is possible for you to improve your hand on the turn should you just check/fold. Check and if your opponent bets, just fold. In this moment you can be quite sure your hand is already beaten.

Here's an example of good timing for a Continuation Bet:

You are at the table in middle position and you are dealt AK. All players fold to you and it`s on you to act. You raise to 4 Big Blinds. All other players fold, except for the button. The flop comes Jh 5c 2d. That's a perfect flop for a Continuation Bet. The cards of the flop are not of the same suit/rainbow, there is no possibility of a flush draw and it`s unlikely your opponent has a straight draw (to call a raise with 34 would be a very loose kind of play). Now you proceed with a Continuation Bet and this is a signal that you have a very strong hand. Your opponent assumes he is beaten and folds his hand. In case your opponent should call your Continuation Bet, you have to assume he already may have a made hand and you`re beaten. If your AK doesn't improve on the turn you should check and fold against each bet.

How should the size of a Continuation Bet be?

The size of a Continuation Bet is always referring to the actual pot size. A Continuation Bet should always be somewhere in the range of half of the pot size. Because of this reason you don't risk too much money if you get called, but you still have a decent chance your opponent might fold. But you should NOT ALWAYS take half of the pot size for your Continuation Bet, as your opponent may see through your move and each time you make half of a pot-sized bet, recognize that it's nothing but a Continuation Bet and in fact you have no made hand. Therefore you should vary the size of your Continuation Bet - sometimes a little more, other times a little less. Against very tight players you can bet less than half of the pot size. If you get called by that type of a player, you can be quite sure that he has a very strong hand.

When should I pass on a Continuation Bet?

If your opponent (or one of your 2 opponents on the flop) makes a bet before it`s your turn to act, you should fold. A Continuation Bet in this scenario is senseless. If the conditions are perfect like the number of your opponents and you are first to act there are still some situations where you should avoid making a Continuation Bet. Are there some "Calling-Stations" on the table? You probably should not make a Continuation Bet against this type of loose player. You can assume that you will get called by this kind of player and in fact you have not much of a hand. Save your money.

If the flop is scary, e.g. 3 cards of the same suit or with a huge possibility for a straight (Flop: TJQ) you also can save money avoiding a Continuation Bet. The chance your opponent did hit a good hand or is sitting on a draw is quite high.

What do I get with a Continuation Bet?

If you always use your Continuation Bets in the size of half of the pot you only have to be successful with it in 1/3 times to make this move profitable. Try this move and judge your own experiences with it. If you heed the advice of the article you will see that a Continuation Bet can be rewarding.