Learn Texas Holdem

Of the many concepts surrounding Texas hold'em poker, one that has received much more attention in recent years has been the concept of the continuation bet. What is the continuation bet and how can you use it to be successful in your Texas hold'em games?

 

The Continuation Bet

 

The continuation bet is an extension of the theory that poker, especially Texas No-Limit Hold'em poker, rewards selective aggression, and that if you take the lead in a hand, you should attempt to keep control of that hand for as long as possible. What does that mean in practice?

To take the lead in the hand means to be the first one betting. If you are in middle position holding As 9h and it has been folded around to you, it is often better to raise than simply to call. This will alert players around you that you are representing a strong hand, helping you dictate the action and know where you are in the hand. If you are raised pre-flop, you can have a pretty good idea your hand is in trouble. If you are flat called, you can expect most players will put you on a fairly strong holding.

To maintain control of the hand, you will often want to put out a continuation bet on the flop. This is a continuation of the betting action you have been using to represent strength since the hand began. You will make the continuation bet regardless of whether you hit the flop. Since most flops miss most people most of the time, a continuation bet is often sufficient to take down the pot if you have been flat called by only one or two players pre-flop.

Here's how it works. When you raise pre-flop, most players will put you on one of two types of hands, either a pocket pair, or Ax. If the flop comes ace high, you have bet before the flop, and you now make a continuation bet, you will generally win the pot unless an opponent has flopped a pair of aces or a big draw. This is true regardless of whether you actually have an ace. Your opponents don't know whether your raised pre-flop with KK or AQ, so they will often give you credit for hitting the flop. Similarly, if the flop comes T 6 8 and you bet, your opponents will often assume you have an overpair or even a set, and fold if they miss.

Pitfalls of the Continuation Bet

If four or five people have called pre-flop and you miss the flop, a continuation bet is a risky proposition. There's a good chance someone made something with so many players, and if you are called or raised you will be in a tough spot. Similarly, if the flop comes very dangerous like Ts Js Qs or Qh Qc, 9h you may want to pass on a continuation bet or make a very small one, since flops like these may have given an opponent a huge hand or draw.

Beware the error of making a continuation bet every time you miss the flop and checking whenever you hit. If you check an ace high flop after betting pre-flop with an ace and bet that same flop if your pre-flop bet was with a pair, opponents will catch on extremely quickly and bury you. Make sure to vary your play, making the continuation bet both when you hit and miss the flop, and occasionally checking whether you hit or miss the flop as well.