Is continuation betting bluffing?

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thomasguy3419

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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.
 
Lerts

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It could be label as bluffing, especially if you missed the flop. It is to convince the other players that you hit the flop or your has improve since preflop, so the c-bet is used as an attempt to run any players who have marginal hands. But c-betting now is so overused that most players dont budge on c-bet unless their hands are extremely terrible as it is not worth it to continue.
 
Tillersizuniversal

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I don't prefer betting like this.....it can lead yourself into terrible situations in the long run and isn't worth the risk ......maybe certain hands I can see it being useful depending on the read of the opponent your up against
 
Aces2w1n

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Well it all depends on your hand doesnt it.

Sometimes its bluff.. semi bluffing.. for value ;)
 
gjwalk

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If you don't hit the flop it's a bluff. It's probably not a very effective one as your opponents have probably come to expect it. The real bluffing comes when you try to double down on your bluff on the turn and river.
 
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Just_a_Tom

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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.
 
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Omahahahaha

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If you have a weak hand it is, yes. Generally it is good to continuation bet with your air most of the time. Try and take down the pot instead of just giving up and check fold. Most of the time neither of you will have anything.
 
jimmy andres

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Hello friend for a bluff to be effective you must do it taking into account the stack of your rival and if it is much higher than yours would end up equaling and completing your project and removing your chips, a bluff or bluff you must do against rivals who Have almost your own stack or have a stack lower than yours and they would not risk so much to follow your continuation bets if they do not connect anything on the flop. I hope it helps you. Good luck at the tables.
 
niphon56

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Bluff need to act as got a big hand, all-in is normal action of bluff.
After showdown one can make sure bluff or not.
But those who prefer all-in players bluff often.
 
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dejan85

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well sometimes you need to bluff if you wonna win ahand even if you miss a flop,good player will try to win and take a hand....
 
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thomasguy3419

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Would it be a good idea to cbet when I have position on 2 or less players and they check flop?
Should I just check when I don't have position on opponents?
Should I always cbet on dry A/K high flops (A48, K27) and 2 high 1 low flops (AQ4, KJ2)?
 
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EvertonGirl

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A cbet is three things, a value bet, semi-bluff or a stone cold bluff.
 
Tillersizuniversal

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I play smart and bluff when it's needed and the players are likely to believe the bluff when they see you play smart and win hands
 
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A lot of times, when you cbet your opponent folds. Your opponent misses the flop a lot so a bet ends the hand. If you are in your opponents spot and you check, you have to understand that a cbet is coming so its good to mix up and have check raises. If opponent folds a lot to cbets then you just keep on cbetting against that player.
 
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Depends on the situation and how many are in the hand. If only one caller and you cbet he may fold because his hand didn't improve. Seems like this works about 70 to 80 percent of the time. Often enough that it puts chips in your stack.
 
Tillersizuniversal

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Depends on the situation and how many are in the hand. If only one caller and you cbet he may fold because his hand didn't improve. Seems like this works about 70 to 80 percent of the time. Often enough that it puts chips in your stack.
I agree especially when a higher card comes or a possible flush shows up.... It's a great time to Cbet the pot for a nice win
 
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thomasguy3419

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When I miss the flop and cbet should I bet 1/2 pot or 3/4 pot?
 
JCuervo

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t's only bluffing f you get caught :)
 
boomboxcafe23

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In my opinion cbet is a vital tool to use but only works with a good table image. If you just sat in at a new table and its your first playable hand, don't cbet unless you hit the flop. Be willing to check it down just to show the table that you arent going to come in shooting blanks. Once you've got a sustainable table image there is plenty of opportunity for cbets and bluffing. knowing when and how is key.
 
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paulsmall007

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Well u gotta continuation bet some of th time or it does look obvious, I guess making a pattern of doing the same thing is the part you wanna avoid, not just he situational one time off doing what u have to do
 
DougPkrMonsta

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So you raised pre-flop and your opponent just called.

As JCarver would say who has the stronger hands in that scenario...

You have all the strong pocket pairs and for most players just calling removes these from their range.

Against one opponent the flop is going to miss both players pretty often and the player who raised pre-flop by this virtue alone should have enough of a hand to bet on ragged boards.

Bluffing, sure, but if you have the stronger hands why wouldn't you want to be betting for the most part?

It looks like you are saying people call you very often and then take away the pot from you on future streets? On these looser tables you can continuation bet less often or continue to bet with your very strong hands just the same and let them keep calling you.

Good luck to you! :D
 
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FARMMARK

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Agree with Boom. Works better later after playing tight early. I may only bet 2,3 blinds.
 
nutthink

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i dont think bluff in cash game is good idea.. but sometime they do to protec theyr hand.. but for me its too risk..
 
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ChuckNola

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It's best to C-Bet against tight players and check against "Aggro" (aggressive) players.

However, try not to get into the habit of always checking when you miss and always betting when you hit the flop. You have to mix that up as well because people will catch on. Also, you shouldn't always C-Bet because you will be burning money in the long run.

Sometimes it's good to not C-Bet on the flop even if you hit it because your opponent might perceive it as weakness and do your betting for you on the turn and river because they think you are weak.
 
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