The C-Bet For Beginners
In Texas Hold’em, a player is given two face down cards at a time by the dealer. This is followed by the first round of betting. The big blind is automatically in the game because of the forced bet. The small blind may opt to double his forced bet to be included in the pot. The first to act however, is the person to the left of the small blind. He may either fold, bet or raise. After the first betting round, the dealer sets down three cards at the same time – this is known as the flop. The next betting round begins, and this cycle continues for the two rounds to follow and accumulate five community cards. The betting, raising, calling and folding happens after the flop, turn and river. It goes without saying that the bets make these rounds so much more exciting. There is a kind of bet that is deceivingly like a raise, not in terms of action but in terms of reaction.
This is the C Bet or continuation bet. A continuation bet is made by a player who shows a strong emotion such as aggressiveness or eagerness pre-flop, or before the first flop. It is when a player places a large bet – usually half of the pot size or even sometimes, the entire pot size – after a flop. Whether or not the player is bluffing, the effect of his actions on his opponents around the table is strong and interesting to say the least. More often than not, the player who acts after the one who has made the C Bet folds out of the game. This kind of bet is made (a) when a player hits the pot, for he has pair 2’s and the flop contains a two and a pair, making him want to secure the pot or (b) when he misses the flop but wants to bluff his way into winning the pot. Although this is a very good strategy, it is also very aggressive and may be difficult for beginners.