Discountinue the Continuation Bets. - Page 2

Trons · #11 (**permalink**) 02-07-2006, 09:13 AM

well, I'm going to try to limit the amount of times I make continuation bets to those times where it may accomplish something. Since we're on this subject...

I usually make my continuation bets between 1/4 and 1/2 pot size. This is where I get in trouble because if I've built a big pot PF, these bets can pot commit me before I know it. I also make the same size bets if I've flopped a hand such as TPTK, Trips or 2 pair on aboard with no obvious draws. I make the bet this small to keep people in and thinking "it maybe just a continuation bet". I'm also hoping somebody with second best hand comes over the top in these situations.

For hands like str8s, Flushes, trips on a draw heavy board, I usually go to pot sized bets or better. I do this to take away the odds of somebody drawing to a better hand and if they do decide to draw, they are making the mistake.

Before anybody suggests it, I use those moves about 75% of the time in those situations and vary my play the other 25% just so I'm not too readable.

My question is, should I be betting the first group of hands stronger. Again, these are the hands where I feel the odds of a draw coming that can beat me are much more slim then your average OESD or FD and therefore I don't mind a little action in the pot. These are also boards where 2pair are unlikely because of the texture of the flop. I guess that's why I've always felt compelled to make the continuation bet. I make the same sized bet when I hit a good hand.

I usually try to take into account the size of the continuation bet when I make the PF raise to make sure I'm not pot commited by the continuation bet (If it's that close, then I'm AI anyway usually). Occassionally, more people call then I expected based on the amount of the PF raise and I end up in situations where I was with the AJ hand I posted. Because of pot size and the bets that I felt I had to make (Continuation bet on the flop, value on the river) I was all in. In that sitaution, while I wasn't that comfortable, I figured I had the pot odds to justify the move based on the pot size and my stack size...am I not looking at these situations correctly?

The Real DeCoy · #12 (**permalink**) 02-07-2006, 09:48 AM

If you have built a big pot PF, then most players are going to assume you have a strong starting hand. If you CB into a board of rags, anyone else playing 2 high cards is not going to fear you. The worst they will suspect is an A in your hand, and if they have one, they are calling too.

Let your PF raises speak for themselves. Let someone else make the bad bet, or bet their small pair and then you can evaluate your calling situation, odds, etc based on the size of their bet.

If you do CB, the right way to vary your play is not only between checks and CB' its also with reraises on your CB and using checkraises. If you CB and the board is shit, don't be scared to reraise a raiser. Chances are that player is either bluffing at the pot or paired a small card. Here an occasional reraise represents big pocket pairs, particularly if your PF raise was significant.

I know my crying thread in the river rats section may have you question my play, but that discussion is for that thread. Many of my good wins and moneys came from a good reraise of a flop raiser when I built a big PF pot. The irony, is that I am getting deep into MTT's almost every time, but having bad luck lately in the SnG where good play can be compressed in a 50 hand tourney.

Keefter · #13 (**permalink**) 02-08-2006, 05:12 AM

I have alot of success with my continuation betting. Its a while since I read vol1 so I can't remember Harringtons exact do's and dont's, but I'm sure they are fairly common sense.

The only non-pockets hands i'm raising with preflop are: Ak, AQ, AJ, A10 (sometimes), KQ, KJ and JQ if suited.

The only pockets I raise with Preflop are AA - 1010. (unless headsup).

So given the tightness of my game the opportunity to Continuation bet is limited.

I'll continuation bet all of those hands regardless of the flop with the exception of KQ KJ JQ. or barring something odd happening like a 666 flop I'm leading out betting.

Of course if I am not first to act and am faced with a raise I'm not likely to reraise under many circumstances.

Continuation bets make me good money. The times where everyone folds well outnumber those where I get a call, and even then you always have a good chance of improving.

Interestingly I find that they tend to work Better against a bigger field of opponents.