I think it's time that this is mentioned: The continuation bet has to be the most overused, poorly thought out bet in poker. Wait! Get your jaw off the floor. I am not saying that it's a bad play or that it shouldn't be used, because it definitely should be used in many situations. I am saying that it gets used way too often without the correct thought process. There are a few things to consider before making a continuation bet - quite a few, actually - and most are ignored by the blindly aggressive, "book-reading" players. For these players, they are aptly named, as "continuing" to waste chips. There is a feel to these bets that is too often overlooked.
Continuation betting any flop without regard to its texture, your position, your opponent, or stack amounts is a mistake. Remember that those chips that you don't lose are as important as those you win. It's almost as if their mindset is, "OK, you called my bet preflop, so here's another bunch of chips to add to your stack." This is what I witness time and time again. I love seeing it, because it's a very easy way for me to accumulate chips, so I probably shouldn't have written this column (laughing). But, as is the case with every column, I can never think of a topic until the last second, and this is the topic that struck me. In fact, I invite readers to send me an e-mail with topic suggestions for the future. During the past year and a half of writing for
Card Player, I keep thinking I have covered everything, so this will be a great way to assure me that I haven't, and give you what you want. So, thanks ahead of time for the suggestions. OK, let's get back to the infamous continuation bet.
Asking yourself how likely it is that the flop hit your opponent(s) based on the preflop action is the obvious thing you must do before continuation-betting. The problem is that this is where it ends for many players. If they don't think the flop hit their opponent, they go ahead and make their bet. It's comical, as you can almost see them figuring out what two-thirds to three-fourths of the pot equals, as instructed on Page 117 of some poker book. This may work well against some poorer players or someone who is playing very tight, but when playing against a good player, there are other things to consider. For instance, even though the flop seems to have missed your opponent, what are you trying to convince your opponent you have? You raise three times the big blind preflop and the small blind calls you. The flop comes 8-4-3 rainbow. The small blind checks to you, and you bet three-fourths of the pot. Well, in this case, if I am the guy in the small blind, I am asking myself if you are properly representing an overpair. I pay attention to your past betting habits, hand selections, and level of creativity. And, in many cases, I just don't believe it. Here, I think you are just blindly betting the flop because it's your best hope to win the pot. So, once I decide this, I have a couple of options. In this example, I am playing from out of position and have checked to the preflop raiser on the flop. Different board textures determine which option I'll choose. I could raise the continuation bet or I could just call, see the turn card, and possibly lead out on the turn. A check-raise would look quite strong, but what am I trying to represent? A set? A-8? Oftentimes it doesn't even matter what I am trying to represent to a nonthinking player (which is what I have decided the guy in this example is). His mindset is simple: "I'll raise preflop and bet flop; if it works, great, and if I get resistance, I'll fold." There are lots of players who think only this deeply. Don't be one of them. My second option is to just call the continuation bet. Against a slightly better player than the one just discussed, this looks even stronger. When a good player who is continuation-betting with just overcards gets called from out of position, he is often done with his hand right there, unless the turn card improves it. So, follow your read, and if that turn card is another rag or seems to have missed him, lead out at him. You'll take down a very nice pot. In short, before you make a standard continuation bet, ask yourself what you are trying to represent, and if you are playing against a good player, know that he is probably asking himself the same thing. To avoid getting outplayed by your opponent, as in the example above, perhaps checking behind him and making your bet on the turn, if given the chance, is a more viable option.
Sometimes it's best not to even give your opponent the opportunity to make the continuation bet. Let's change the flop to K-8-3 rainbow. It's the same exact situation and you are in the small blind. You called his preflop raise with pocket deuces. Too many players check this flop and just fold to a continuation bet. Don't give your opponent the benefit of his position. Take it away from him. Lead right out on this flop. It looks very strong, and if he doesn't have a king or something better, he cannot call you. He can fold 4-4, 5-5, 6-6, 7-7, 9-9, 10-10, J-J, and so on to this action.
Some pots you make and some pots you take, and you should be taking most of them. Too many players are victims of continuation bets because they let them happen. Pay attention to the texture of the board, your opponent, and your chip stacks, and be the opportunist. Having the flexibility in your stack to make these plays is key. Plan ahead. Make sure that you can "afford" to lead out on a flop after your call, or raise a continuation bet or call one and lead out on the turn. Know these things preflop, before you even call with your pocket deuces.
When calling preflop raises when in position, as opposed to from out of position, your options are much the same. Either call his continuation bet and see what he does on the turn or raise him on the flop. Know your opponents! I say it all the time, you must know their capabilities. The more you know about them, the more opportunities you will find to accumulate chips. I love habitual continuation bettors. They are a wealth of chips for me. Start looking at these bets as possible opportunities to accumulate more chips, rather than obstacles that slowly devastate your chip stack.
Todd Arnold is the trainer and co-creator of www.realpokertraining.com and a private coach for online and live players. Visit his site or contact him at [email protected].
