In poker, a “c-bet” refers to a continuation bet. This is a common strategy used in Texas Hold’em, where a player who has bet pre-flop (the “pre-flop aggressor”) makes another bet on the flop to continue their aggression. The purpose of a c-bet is to take down the pot without a fight when the player believes they have the best hand, or to represent strength and fold out weaker hands when they don’t have the best hand.
Here’s how it typically works:
1. **Pre-flop Betting**: A player raises preflop, and possibly one or more players call that raise.
2. **Flop Betting**: On the flop (the first three community cards), the pre-flop raiser (the aggressor) makes a bet. This is the continuation bet.
The rationale behind a c-bet is that the pre-flop raiser often has a range of hands that could improve on the flop, and by betting again, they can often win the pot if their opponents do not have a strong hand. The bet can also serve as a semi-bluff, representing a strong hand to get a fold from an opponent with a weaker hand.
However, not every flop is suitable for a c-bet. Players must consider factors such as the texture of the flop, their range, and the range of their opponent. For example, if the flop contains high cards or a possible straight or flush draw, it might be less likely that the pre-flop raiser has the best hand, and a c-bet could be less effective.
Good c-betting strategy involves balancing the times you c-bet with strong hands, with the times you do it as a semi-bluff or even a pure bluff. This balance makes it harder for opponents to read your intentions and adjust their play accordingly.