Online Poker Forum - Continuation Bets - Yes or No?

HCAFC · Posted: Thu Sep 29, 2005 3:44 pm Post subject: Continuation Bets - Yes or No?

These situations have been bothering me of late. I'm losing a bucket load of chips after a post-flop continuation bet. Am I having a run of bad luck or am I being too aggressive in the latter stages of a S&G tourney?

Typically, the $10+1 S&G has five or less players left, including myself. Blinds are around $60/$120. My table image was fairly tight during the first few blind levels. I reckon that the remaining opponents are around my level in terms of skill and experience (average!). I open the betting with a pre-flop raise of 3� x BB from middle/late position and get one caller behind me. I miss the flop and have a decision to make either as first to act or after my opponent checks.

What would you do in the following situations... check or bet? If the latter, how much would you typically wager... minimum, ⅓ of pot, � the pot or a pot sized bet?

1. Hole Cards: As Qs
Flops...

2. Hole Cards: Td Th
Flops...

Then when I'm short stacked (less than 6 x BB) and in the BB, I check against the SB's call...

3. Hole Cards: 8s 7d
Flop... Js 8h 2d

All thoughts, comments and general advice will be greeted with not stealing your blinds the next time we meet at the table. Wink

xxrod17xx · Pair Joined: 28 Jun 2005 Posts: 27

I think you have to know the opponent before u make these decisions. There is no sure way to bet on a certain flop. U need to be watching your opponents from the first hand of the tourney taking mental notes. Knowing they are average isnt good enough. If you see a certain flop you have to say would my opponent call my raise knowing im tight with something that connects with this flop...and u make ur decision from there. Some times u need to grow a pair and throw a bet out there, there is no sure way to bet other wise wed all be millionares by now.

Jaconda78 · Message Board Junkie Joined: 06 Jul 2005 Posts: 4179

They certainly need to be part of your arsenal, but be careful you don't overuse them. If you make one every time, people will notice and start calling/raising you. In moderation, they're a must to maximize your profit.

GripHoldOn · Posted: Thu Sep 29, 2005 9:57 pm Post subject:

There's really no simple answer to this question. Many players are successful making continuation bets in EVERY heads-up pot which was raised by that person before the flop. Other players will often check and take a free card as the raiser preflop. It's important to be able to do both, but know that a successful strategy can be based around either.

aye win · Flush Joined: 16 Jul 2005 Posts: 148 Location: Glasgow

Ok, based on general play, a 3xBB raise and not knowing your opponents this would be my rough guide.

1a half pot
b half pot
c Check
d half pot

2 all half pot

and 3 is more difficult. This hand is purely down to the stack of your opponent and how he has been playing until now but probably pot.

Remember your opponent only has to fold to 1 in 3 continuation bets for you to profit if you continue at half pot.

There's a great section on the continuation bet in Dan Harrington's second book. I can remember the name of it though

HCAFC · Posted: Fri Sep 30, 2005 8:20 am Post subject:

Thanks to all that replied, I appreciate your time and especially your comments.

The last situation I outlined is the real ball breaker for me. I've checked off-suited connectors as a raise seems a little too risky for my liking, especially being so short stacked. I hit middle pair and have to decide if my opponent has top pair or better. Given he didn't raise, he could have absolutely anything from AA to 72o. If I check he gets a free card that may make his hand. If I throw in a small bet he may stay in with a drawing hand or he may come over the top trying to bully the short stack. So, I decide to pump it all-in and put him to a decision. If he has anything other than a Jack, an 8 with a bigger kicker or a concealed PP greater than 8's and I'm in good shape. But, suffice to say that he had a Jack and I'm history.

Bad luck or poor play?

MRMUSIC2 · High Card Joined: 11 Aug 2005 Posts: 15

I like your play to push it. Many players will not risk all there chips on a draw. If they are playing suited cards and they only hit one of there suits on the flop, they are much less likely to call your all in bet on a runner runner. Same thing is true with a straight draw and/or a middle pair.

The number of players left in the game is also crucial in a lower dollar ($10 SNG) as well. You assume the players are not quite as good as a higher dollar table and want to get in the money (at least 3rd). If there are 4 or 5 left in the game then pushing it is a great play. If there are 3 left and they get a paycheck anyway they are more likely to call.

I was one of these type players for a long time till I learned (with help from this forum, books, and experience) that playing to win will win a lot more money than playing for the top 3. I used to finish in 4th many times and if I made the top 3 I was not the chip leader. Now being more aggressive at the right times I find myself finishing 5-8 once in a while which would never happen before however I also find myself finishing first a lot more which a lot more money.

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