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Join Date: Aug 2004
Posts: 5,007
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c-betting when you have draws
When you have strong draws the distinction between value betting and c-betting is a bit more obscure.
I would almost always bet draws that give me 12 outs or more to win the pot (such as a FD with 1 or 2 overcards), draws with 10 outs are also very good, but you have to take the board texture into consideration. For example if I am holding J9s and the flop is 872, one of my suite, I have 2 overcards and gutshut str8, as well as runner-runner flush option, I would almost always bet it.
However if I have AK and the flop is QT8 I will be less inclined to bet, because this flop fits nicely into a lot of hands I can be up against, so if it is checked to me I will probably check behind to get the turn card for free, if the turn is checked around I will probably bet it.
Reads
This is pretty obvious, c-bet more when opp is tight, c-bet less if opponent is aggressive and will come over the top easily.
c-betting against donk calling stations is a bit more problematic, as it depends on the type of donks. Type A is the one who will fold if he has nothing but will call if he has a piece of the flop and will call till showdown. Best line against those players is to bet a relatively small c-bet, as it will be enough to push them off the hand if they have nothing. Type B is the one who is call down with anything you may get some value from c-betting, but since distinguishing between the two is very hard I will follow the same line of small c-bet.
When your c-bet is called
When your c-bet is called by more then one opponent and you do not improve on the turn you want to slow down and c/f or c/c depending on bet size and reads.
If your c-bet is called by one opponent you need to play poker, he may be drawing, he may have a monster, he may have a middle pair, so you need to factor preflop action, reads, board texture etc..
As a general rule if someone calls you on a drawy board and the turn did not complete the draw firing a second barrel is good, if someone called you on a totally uncoordinated board he has something and will probably not fold, so proceed with caution.
When your c-bet is raised
You need either strong draws or a good read on villain that he can be raising with total air to pick up your c-bet to jusity calling or raising, usually you need to fold. If you are not willing to fold you are better off pushing in the first place.
Defending vs c-bets
If someone c-bets a lot you can often pick up the pot by coming over the top with ATC. Usually a minraise will either win the pot outright or will set you to pick it up on the turn
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