Hi everyone. NLHE 6 Max ZOOM cash game on PokerStars.
What is the point of continuation betting when missing the flop? Is this bluffing? How do I make a profitable cbet or bluff? Is it better to just check instead?
I feel like this is just burning money because when they call or raise me I'm stuck wondering what to do next and end up folding on the flop or turn when I don't get the right card.
Continuation betting can be bluffing, And I know exactly how you feel, by the way. Sometimes is just feels almost like a lose-lose situation. You raise pre-flop and miss the flop, if you check they bet out, If you bet, a majority of the time you end up getting outplayed since you have nothing and have to fold later. I guess I can give you a couple of simple tips. First off, try to have at least a decent understanding of your opponent's hand ranges before making the pre-flop raise. Lets say, for example, You make a 3x pre-flop raise with a KQ suited, one player calls. You feel like you understand that player's hand ranges well enough and are able to put him on ace king at the most. Then the flop comes 2 3 9 rainbow. Since you were able to put him on AK or a hand of that nature pre-flop, you can be certain that he missed the flop as well (unless he has a pocket pair). At that point it would seem reasonable to bet out. Now lets say he was a different player and you made the 3x pre-flop raise and he called. This guy might have a different style and may call that raise with suited connectors, though some players wont call that raise with the suited connectors. then you should feel a bit more concerned about that flop. You can also switch it up a bit by making that same type of raise with the suited connecters and putting the caller or callers on paint, then continuation bet when the rags hit the flop. Another thing you can do to have more success with your post-flop dilemma that follows the pre-flop raise is to create the image of a check-raiser, I just don't have enough gamble in me to do this myself, I hate letting opponents get to the turn card. But once players identify your style with check-raising, when you get called on a pre-flop raise you will feel way more comfortable post flop. Now, when you check, Your opponent may think your trying to check-raise them and not just put you on nothing, Which can cause them to check behind you, giving you a free turn card. When you bet post-flop, at times they could think your bluffing, So you can take huge advantage of that by actually betting a hand. At that point they are likely thinking you would have preferred to check-raise if you hit anything on the flop. Do not only just add the check-raise into your arsenal, but be somewhat known for it at your table. This will guarantee to help you see a lot more turn cards and rivers. Personally, at most times I don't check-raise unless I have two pair, or if strongly believe my opponent has a weaker top pair than I do. Hope my advice helps in the least.