Continuation bet: following up on the flop
A continuation bet, or c-bet, is a bet on the flop by the player who raised before the flop. It continues the story of a strong hand. It wins often because most flops miss most hands.
Reviewed Oct 15, 2026
Answer first
90s- 01A c-bet of one third pot needs folds 25% of the time.
- 02Dry boards suit small c-bets.
- 03Wet boards need bigger bets or more checks.
Key numbers
C-bet math
In short
Key takeaways
- Folds needed = bet ÷ (pot + bet).
- Bet less on boards that favor your range.
- Check more often with many opponents.
- Mix in checks with strong hands too.
Progress
A c-bet hand
- 1
Preflop raise
You open
- 2
One caller
Heads-up
- 3
Flop
K-7-2 rainbow
- 4
C-bet
One third pot
- 5
Result
Caller often folds
Dry boards favor the raiser.
Folds needed by bet size
| Bet | Pot | Folds needed |
|---|---|---|
| $10 | $30 | 25% |
| $15 | $30 | 33% |
| $20 | $30 | 40% |
| $30 | $30 | 50% |
Bet ÷ (pot + bet), before counting your equity when called.
Why c-bets work
A hand without a pair misses the flop about two thirds of the time. When you raised before the flop, your opponent expects strong hands from you. A flop bet asks them to show they hit.
A bet of $10 into $30 risks $10 to win $30. It needs to work only 25% of the time to break even, even if you never improve. On top of that, you sometimes win when called.
The more players in the pot, the more likely someone hit. With three opponents, c-bet less and with stronger hands.
Board type and c-bet size
| Board | Example | Who it favors | Common plan |
|---|---|---|---|
| Dry high card | K-7-2 rainbow | Raiser | Small, often |
| Paired | 8-8-3 | Raiser | Small |
| Wet middle | 9-8-6 two-tone | Caller | Bigger or check |
| Low connected | 5-4-3 | Caller | Check often |
Our own summary of common advice.
Sizing by board
On dry boards like K-7-2 rainbow, the raiser has more strong kings and big pairs. A small bet, about one third pot, works because the caller rarely has much.
On wet boards like 9-8-6 with two of a suit, the caller hits more often with straights and draws. Bets need to be bigger, around two thirds pot, or you check many hands.
Low boards such as 5-4-3 often favor the caller, who plays more small suited hands.
Sequence
Deciding to c-bet
Step 01
Count opponents
Fewer is better.
Step 02
Read the board
Dry or wet?
Step 03
Check your hand
Value, draw or air?
Step 04
Pick a size
Small on dry, big on wet.
Step 05
Plan the turn
Know your next move.
When to check
Checking some strong hands keeps your checks from looking weak. Checking weak hands with no draw saves money on boards that hit the caller.
Out of position, c-bet a little less, because calls are harder to play on the turn.
Against players who call too much, bet more value hands and fewer bluffs. Against players who fold too much, c-bet more often.
Floor rules
C-bet terms
Know before you sit
- C-bet
- A flop bet by the preflop raiser.
- Dry board
- A flop with few draws.
- Wet board
- A flop with many draws.
- Fold equity
- Value from making others fold.
A worked c-bet hand
At $1/$3 you open to $12 and the big blind calls. The pot is $27. The flop is K-7-2 rainbow. You bet $9, one third pot, with Q-J. If the big blind folds more than 25% of the time, the bet makes money even when you never improve.
If the big blind calls, you have six outs to a pair and four to a gutshot on some turns. On a 9-8-6 two-tone flop the same hand would check, because that board hits the caller far more often.
Common mistakes
- C-betting every flop
- Players learn to call.
- Same size always
- Size by board.
- C-betting into many players
- Someone often hit.
- No turn plan
- Know your next step.
Keep reading
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01Basics
What is a continuation bet?
A flop bet by the player who made the last raise before the flop. Rules vary by cardroom, so check the posted house rules.
How often should a c-bet work?
It depends on size. A one third pot bet needs about 25% folds to break even. Rules vary by cardroom, so check the posted house rules.
Why do c-bets work?
Most hands miss most flops, and the raiser is expected to hold strong hands. Rules vary by cardroom, so check the posted house rules.
02Sizing
What size is best on a dry board?
Often about one third pot, since the caller rarely has a strong hand. Rules vary by cardroom, so check the posted house rules.
What about wet boards?
Bigger, around two thirds pot, or check more hands. Rules vary by cardroom, so check the posted house rules.
Should I c-bet multiway pots?
Less often and with stronger hands, because someone is more likely to have hit. Rules vary by cardroom, so check the posted house rules.
03Play
Should I always c-bet?
No. Checking some hands keeps you balanced and saves money on bad boards. Rules vary by cardroom, so check the posted house rules.
What if I am raised?
Fold most bluffs and continue with strong hands and good draws. Rules vary by cardroom, so check the posted house rules.
Do live players fold to c-bets?
Less than online players, so value bets do well and bluffs need care. Rules vary by cardroom, so check the posted house rules.
Sources
- Wikipedia — Texas hold ’em Not from a registry (Reference source, not an official registry) · accessed Oct 15, 2026Rules and betting rounds
- Wikipedia — Poker strategy Not from a registry (Reference source, not an official registry) · accessed Oct 15, 2026Bluffing, semi-bluffing and pot odds
- Nevada Gaming Control Board · accessed Oct 15, 2026Approved games and gaming revenue reports
- National Council on Problem Gambling — Help and resources Not from a registry (Reference source, not an official registry) · accessed Oct 15, 2026Free, confidential help: call or text 1-800-GAMBLER