You raised preflop, got called, and now the flop is on the table and it's your turn to act. Do you bet or check? Most of the time the answer is a c-bet — but not always, and that's where the difference lies.
What a c-bet is
A c-bet (continuation bet) is when the preflop raiser bets again on the flop. You “continue” the story of strength you started before the flop.
A♠
7♦
2♣
Why it works so well
- •You almost always miss the flop. So does your opponent: the flop only connects with their hand ~1 in 3 times. Betting wins the pot very often without a fight.
- •You took the initiative preflop: the story is credible. You represent the strong hands you would raise.
- •It works with your whole range: you bet the same with your made hands (for value) and your misses (as a bluff), so your opponent doesn't know which you have.
When to c-bet
- •Dry, high flops (A-7-2, K-8-3): they hit your raising range better than the caller's. Bet often.
- •Against a single opponent: the fewer people, the better the bluff works.
- •When you have equity to improve (flush or straight draw): you bet as a semibluff.
When to THINK twice
- •Connected, low flops (7-6-5, 9-8-7): they favor the caller's range. Your c-bet gets called or raised more often.
- •Against several opponents: someone connected. The bluff loses value fast.
- •When your opponent never folds: against a calling station, bet for value, not as a bluff.
💡 Don't make the c-bet automatic. Always ask yourself: does this flop hit my range better or theirs? That question alone already puts you ahead of most players.
The c-bet is trained until you recognize the right flop at a glance. EVolve's c-bet drill gives you real flops to decide whether to bet or check, with instant feedback.
🎯 Practice your c-bets→