Continuation bets are bets made by a player as a follow up to an initial stage-setting bet. Once a player has made a pretty credible raise before the flop, for instance, he follows it up with another raise after the flop. This creates the perception that their good or excellent starting hand has just become a very good combination hand.

The reason why follow-up bets continue to be effective is that they are so useful in confusing the other players in a game. In normal circumstances, the only reason for a continuation or follow-up bet is when you have a strong hand pre-flop such as pocket Aces or face cards, for example. Continuing your aggressive behavior after the first three cards of the board have been revealed sends the signal that your strong hand has become even stronger. This will make the weak of heart (or hand) fold.

On the other hand, all the publicity about continuation bets will make other players wonder if you do, indeed, have a strong hand or are merely bluffing – that element of uncertainty is enough of an edge to build on, especially if you’re at a table with less experienced players who will be playing by the book.

If you’re playing against experienced players, however, continuation bets will simply add to the fun of the game, as the others try to psych out whether you really have a strong hand or are just trying to bluff them.

“Faking” Continuation Bets

Another way to use the follow up betting strategy is to ‘set up’ opponents by a strong bet pre-flop and then checking on the flop – making it seem that you will be folding soon. This can lull your opponents into thinking that you don’t have what it takes when what you are actually doing is setting the stage for an even stringer raise.

Of course, this strategy is applicable only if you do have a strong hand. In this case, you are using your opponents’ expectations against them.

Playing Against Continuation Bets

If you’re on the other side of a player who you know is playing the follow-up bet strategy, the best approach is to wait and watch for an opportunity to make a counter move. A sure sign of a continuation bet gone sour is if the other player checks out on the turn after you call. In this situation, chances are good that you can grab the pot by moving in with a strong bet and turning the tables, as it were, on him.

And Finally…

Remember that continuation bets are not about having good cards and pressing in. It’s about making your opponents believe that you have good cards and reinforcing this belief for a steal. It doesn’t really matter if you actually have good cards. What matters is making your opponents believe that you do.