When you playing poker you decide whether or not to make a continuation bet on the flop, the critical factor is your position at the table. Let's say you raise preflop, you are under the gun "(to the immediate left of the blinds) and the big blind follow. You should make a continuation bet in most cases, the flop helps you or not, because your preflop raise in the worst position suggests that you have a great hand.
In the same vein, the call your opponent does not necessarily mean it has a better hand than you, in the sense that the call from the big blind is cheaper.
If check on the flop, you should make a continuation bet in 90% of cases, alternating with some check if you have hands like AJ and AQ and flop top pair with your Ace.
Now let's say you make a raise preflop on the button and the big blind follow. You have a better position relative to your opponent, but he will probably let you little credit for the fact of having a strong hand because stealing the blind in this position is very common.
Chances are that you check-raise with nothing. You should be more inclined to checker when your opponent checks, especially if you have a decent hand like pocket 8 (served) on a flop J-7-3 or AK on a flop of QJ-5.
In the latter situation, it would be better checker to get a free card with AK because it could release a ten, and even if you do not improve your hand, it will still be strong enough and will be of decent strength River.
If you decide to make a continuation bet and are called, you can be sure that your opponent has a better hand than yours. You should try to get a free card on the turn, giving you another opportunity to have the right on the river
Like many players see the continuation bet as a robbery attempt in this situation, you must be prepared to go for it with your hand, no matter if you're the shortest stack and bound to flop.
For example, if you only have 20 big blinds on the carpet, you raise the button with Q-10 suited (same color or same family) and the flop comes QJ-5. You must be willing to put all your chips in the middle of the table. You should make a continuation bet most of the time, but you can also occasionally checker to disguise the strength of your hand.
Now if you have 30 big blinds in the same situation, it would be good checker because you're more likely to attract your opponent is Jack and wants to go all-in. If you check, most cards that will fall on the turn will not hurt you. Only an Ace, a King or a Jack might worry. Having disguised the strength of your hand, you can bet accordingly on the turn and river.
Your bet will be followed by hands worse than yours, including most small pairs served. If your opponent checks again on the river, you should bet accordingly, but if he bets you should just follow. If you raise, you will only be followed by a better hand than yours.
Now, if you're in middle position. You raise preflop mid-table and you are being followed by the button. You are now a bit more trouble if you make a continuation bet because your opponent you will be the first to play on the turn, and if you checker your opponent take the opportunity to make a big bet, given that be perceived weakness.
However it is also a chance to take advantage of this situation. If you have a good hand on the flop, top pair or better, if you make a continuation bet and you are being followed, is the right time checker on the turn.
By doing this, your opponent will think you're conceding the pot, and will be fooled into thinking he has the better hand. If the flop is J-7-3 and you have QJ and check on the turn, your opponent could try to push all in with a hand like pocket new (used vehicles), whereas if you bet the turn he lie probably his hand.
If you want to succeed in poker tournaments, you should always consider your position at the table when you decide whether or not to make a continuation bet on the flop. |
