4 · PLAY AFTER THE FLOP · LESSON 18 OF 29 · 6 min
Continuation bets
A continuation bet is a flop bet by the player who raised before the flop. The raise can represent strong starting hands, but that does not make every flop bet profitable. Consider the board, number of opponents, and how often they will fold or call with worse.
An early-position raiser often has more big aces and overpairs than a caller. On an ace-high dry board, a small continuation bet may fit that range; on a low connected board, checking may fit better.
Let the flop decide whether to keep telling the story
A continuation bet is a flop bet by the preflop raiser. Raising before the flop gives you a range that often contains strong starting hands, but it does not entitle you to every flop. First compare the flop with your range and the caller's range. Then ask which worse hands call and which better hands could fold. A bet with neither purpose is usually just spending chips.
Imagine you raise with K♠Q♠, the big blind calls, and the flop is K♦8♣3♥. You have top pair with a strong kicker. A small bet can earn calls from weaker kings, eights, and some backdoor hands. Now imagine the flop is 9♥8♥7♣ and you missed. The big blind can have many pairs and draws. Checking can preserve your hand's chance to improve and avoid a bet that rarely gets a fold.
The number of opponents matters too. A small bet that works well against one caller has to get past two or three continuing ranges in a multiway pot. You can check a strong hand sometimes, and you can bet a missed hand when the board and opponent make a fold plausible. The key is a reason tied to this flop, not a rule that you always bet after raising.
In the prepared flop, say whether your bet is for value or a bluff. Name two opponent hands that support that reason before acting.
Do not continuation-bet just because you were the preflop raiser. Your range and the opponent's range both reach the flop.
MAKE THE CALL
You raised before the flop. The big blind checks an ace-high flop. Which action would be a continuation bet?
Start with a prepared decision, then play the rest of the hand with practice chips. Turn on guidance to see the trainer's reasoning.